Antonio Cabello

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #20 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: After Shohei Ohtani chose the Angels, the Yankees pivoted and reallocated their remaining international money on Cabello and Raimfer Salinas. Cabello moved stateside after a quick tune-up in the Dominican Summer League but lost time after suffering a dislocated shoulder at instructional league after the 2018 season. He struggled in the Rookie-level Appalachian League in 2019 but still showed scouts impressive tools.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: At first, evaluators are confused about how to square Cabello's thicker body with his position in center field. Then they see a player with a combination of speed and athleticism albeit with some stiffness to his swing at times. The Yankees worked with Cabello to get his bat on a path designed to keep the barrel in the zone for a longer time, which would help him do damage on a wider variety of pitches. They also wanted to create a better angle to the ball, which would help more of his mishits go in the air rather than on the ground. He's not a slam dunk in center field, but the Yankees will continue to develop him at the position.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cabello was part of the Yankees' group at instructional league in the Dominican Republic, where he got to kick off at least a little of the rust from the canceled 2020 season. He should open 2021 at low Class A.
• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #19 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Cabello was signed with part of the money the Yankees had reserved to chase Shohei Ohtani when he was a free agent. When Ohtani eliminated the Yankees, the team pivoted and signed Cabello and Raimfer Salinas just before Christmas in 2017. Cabello was impressive enough in his first season as a pro to move to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League after just six games in the DSL. He ranked as the GCL's No. 7 prospect after the season but a dislocated shoulder cost him more development time in the instructional league. Cabello recovered in time to open the second half of 2019 with Rookie-level Pulaski, where he struggled against more advanced pitching.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Evaluators inside and outside the organization noted that his approach had gone backward and he'd become something of an all-or-nothing hitter. The Yankees spent the season working to improve Cabello's bat path to get it to stay in the zone longer. More concerning, though, was the direction his body seemed to be going. Scouts noted that he looked heavier than his listed weight, and was showing slower, stiffer actions than would be expected of a middle-of-the-diamond player. Part of Cabello's appeal in previous years included plus speed and defense to stick in center field, so he'll have to maintain his body to keep that part of his profile.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cabello is likely to return to extended spring to begin 2020 before heading to short-season Staten Island.
• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #8 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The Yankees spent a good chunk of the 2017 offseason acquiring international bonus pool space in their effort to sign Japanese two-way talent Shohei Ohtani. Once Ohtani eliminated them, however, they spread that money around to acquire other targets, including Cabello and outfielder Raimfer Salinas. The pair signed with the Yankees just before Christmas, meaning neither player even had the benefit of an instructional league before embarking on their first pro seasons.
  
  Scouting Report: Cabello was advanced enough in extended spring training that the Yankees moved him quickly out of the Dominican Summer League to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. To earn that boost, Cabello displayed a diverse blend of skills, showing plus speed and the potential for a plus bat with plus power and plus defense in center field. He also shows an advanced ability to hit the ball hard, with exit velocities as high as 106 mph already. His throwing arm is already at least average. Cabello was a catcher as an amateur, meaning his outfield defense will be the toughest tool to gauge.
  
  The Future: Cabello dislocated his non-throwing shoulder late in the season and needed surgery, which cost him a chance to participate in instructional league. He has a chance to be a true impact bat in the middle of the order.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked American League #5 prospect in 2019
  A toolsy converted catcher, Cabello stood out in the Gulf Coast League in 2018, where he showed plus potential as a hitter in addition to plus running and throwing ability. He struggled this year in the Appy League, hitting .211/.280/.330, but his raw tools are still there and league managers praised his approach to the game. Cabello posts gaudy exit velocity numbers, but scouts this year were concerned with how the 18-year-old handles offspeed stuff and competes when behind in the count. He has the tool set to become an impact everyday player, but he’s physically maxed out and will need to show that his 2019 season was more of a fluke than anything. Cabello played all three outfield positions but spent most of his time in left and center. "I like the way he plays,” one Appy League manager said. "He can run, he put the ball in the gap once in a while. He’s one of the players all of the managers want.”
• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #7 prospect in 2018
  When the Yankees signed Cabello last year for $1.35 million, he was a catcher who had near plus-plus speed underway despite a thick, physically mature frame. Cabello moved to center field soon after signing. He made a seamless transition to pro ball at the plate, dominating the GCL with a balance of hitting ability, strike-zone judgment and power until he injured his left shoulder diving for a ball on Aug. 13, requiring surgery. Cabello is a patient, disciplined hitter with good contact skills, which makes him a high on-base threat. He has quick, explosive hands and manipulates the barrel well, with the physical maturity and strength to generate hard contact to all fields. Cabello has the speed and athleticism for center field, though his defense understandably remains a work in progress.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After Shohei Ohtani chose the Angels, the Yankees pivoted and reallocated their remaining international money on Cabello and Raimfer Salinas. Cabello moved stateside after a quick tune-up in the Dominican Summer League but lost time after suffering a dislocated shoulder at instructional league after the 2018 season. He struggled in the Rookie-level Appalachian League in 2019 but still showed scouts impressive tools.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: At first, evaluators are confused about how to square Cabello's thicker body with his position in center field. Then they see a player with a combination of speed and athleticism albeit with some stiffness to his swing at times. The Yankees worked with Cabello to get his bat on a path designed to keep the barrel in the zone for a longer time, which would help him do damage on a wider variety of pitches. They also wanted to create a better angle to the ball, which would help more of his mishits go in the air rather than on the ground. He's not a slam dunk in center field, but the Yankees will continue to develop him at the position.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cabello was part of the Yankees' group at instructional league in the Dominican Republic, where he got to kick off at least a little of the rust from the canceled 2020 season. He should open 2021 at low Class A.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After Shohei Ohtani chose the Angels, the Yankees pivoted and reallocated their remaining international money on Cabello and Raimfer Salinas. Cabello moved stateside after a quick tune-up in the Dominican Summer League but lost time after suffering a dislocated shoulder at instructional league after the 2018 season. He struggled in the Rookie-level Appalachian League in 2019 but still showed scouts impressive tools.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: At first, evaluators are confused about how to square Cabello's thicker body with his position in center field. Then they see a player with a combination of speed and athleticism albeit with some stiffness to his swing at times. The Yankees worked with Cabello to get his bat on a path designed to keep the barrel in the zone for a longer time, which would help him do damage on a wider variety of pitches. They also wanted to create a better angle to the ball, which would help more of his mishits go in the air rather than on the ground. He's not a slam dunk in center field, but the Yankees will continue to develop him at the position.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cabello was part of the Yankees' group at instructional league in the Dominican Republic, where he got to kick off at least a little of the rust from the canceled 2020 season. He should open 2021 at low Class A.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Cabello was signed with part of the money the Yankees had reserved to chase Shohei Ohtani when he was a free agent. When Ohtani eliminated the Yankees, the team pivoted and signed Cabello and Raimfer Salinas just before Christmas in 2017. Cabello was impressive enough in his first season as a pro to move to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League after just six games in the DSL. He ranked as the GCL’s No. 7 prospect after the season but a dislocated shoulder cost him more development time in the instructional league. Cabello recovered in time to open the second half of 2019 with Rookie-level Pulaski, where he struggled against more advanced pitching.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Evaluators inside and outside the organization noted that his approach had gone backward and he’d become something of an all-or-nothing hitter. The Yankees spent the season working to improve Cabello’s bat path to get it to stay in the zone longer. More concerning, though, was the direction his body seemed to be going. Scouts noted that he looked heavier than his listed weight, and was showing slower, stiffer actions than would be expected of a middle-of-the-diamond player. Part of Cabello’s appeal in previous years included plus speed and defense to stick in center field, so he’ll have to maintain his body to keep that part of his profile. BA GRADE 50 Risk: Very High BA GRADE 50 Risk: Extreme BA GRADE 50 Risk: Extreme
  
  THE FUTURE: Cabello is likely to return to extended spring to begin 2020 before heading to short-season Staten Island.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Cabello was signed with part of the money the Yankees had reserved to chase Shohei Ohtani when he was a free agent. When Ohtani eliminated the Yankees, the team pivoted and signed Cabello and Raimfer Salinas just before Christmas in 2017. Cabello was impressive enough in his first season as a pro to move to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League after just six games in the DSL. He ranked as the GCL's No. 7 prospect after the season but a dislocated shoulder cost him more development time in the instructional league. Cabello recovered in time to open the second half of 2019 with Rookie-level Pulaski, where he struggled against more advanced pitching.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Evaluators inside and outside the organization noted that his approach had gone backward and he'd become something of an all-or-nothing hitter. The Yankees spent the season working to improve Cabello's bat path to get it to stay in the zone longer. More concerning, though, was the direction his body seemed to be going. Scouts noted that he looked heavier than his listed weight, and was showing slower, stiffer actions than would be expected of a middle-of-the-diamond player. Part of Cabello's appeal in previous years included plus speed and defense to stick in center field, so he'll have to maintain his body to keep that part of his profile.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cabello is likely to return to extended spring to begin 2020 before heading to short-season Staten Island.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  A toolsy converted catcher, Cabello stood out in the Gulf Coast League in 2018, where he showed plus potential as a hitter in addition to plus running and throwing ability. He struggled this year in the Appy League, hitting .211/.280/.330, but his raw tools are still there and league managers praised his approach to the game. Cabello posts gaudy exit velocity numbers, but scouts this year were concerned with how the 18-year-old handles offspeed stuff and competes when behind in the count. He has the tool set to become an impact everyday player, but he’s physically maxed out and will need to show that his 2019 season was more of a fluke than anything. Cabello played all three outfield positions but spent most of his time in left and center. "I like the way he plays,” one Appy League manager said. "He can run, he put the ball in the gap once in a while. He’s one of the players all of the managers want.”