Oswaldo Cabrera had played all of four games in the outfield – all this August – before the Yankees called him up last month, but instead of looking like a fish out of water in right field, Cabrera has looked like a future star.
Take a look at his latest gem, playing this carom off the right field wall perfectly and throwing a strike to nail the speedy Gilberto Celestino trying to stretch a single into a double during Monday’s win over Minnesota:
That was Cabrera’s fourth outfield assist of the season in just 19 games, which ties Aaron Judge for the most on the team, a feat in and of itself considering Cabrera has been a Yankee for three weeks and Judge is a Gold Glove-caliber veteran.
Cabrera is a shortstop by trade, and had played all around the infield (as the Yankees do with almost every infield prospect at some point) but had never set foot in the outfield as a pro until the Yankees put him out there in anticipation of a call-up that came on August 17. He had played one game in left and three in right when he got to the Bronx, but he’s now started 11 games and played one more in right field at the MLB level, and he might stay there for a little while longer with Andrew Benintendi hurt and Harrison Bader still working his way back.
“He’s been impressive, and the thing is that since we’ve gotten to know him a little bit, and know his makeup and poise…he’s a confident player between the lines,” manager Aaron Boone said after Monday’s game. “He has good instinct, and he’s a ball player. He’s been really solid out there and made some great plays. Oswaldo’s presence is like a good veteran player in the defensive side.
Judge has been starting in center field, and in the last few games, Aaron Boone has been tightening up the defense in the late innings by moving Judge to right and inserting Estevan Florial in center – but he may not have to do that much longer if Cabrera keeps playing defense the way he does.
Cabrera was 0-for-3 Monday and is hitting just .190 so far, but his baseline versatility and quick study in right field has made him a fan favorite – and a favorite of his teammates and coaches, too.
“That was impressive – he’s gonna take my job out there!” Judge joked. “It’s been fun watching him since he’s been up here. He’s a competitive at bat and he’s playing unreal defense. To see him doing what he’s doing and having fun with it, that’s what this team needs. I love it.”
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