#SFGiants prospect Gustavo Cabrera severely injured

Gustavo Cabrera; Photo Credit: MLB.com

Update 9:25 p.m.: In yet another update — as this story has developed over the course of the day — CSN Bay Area’s Andrew Baggarly spoke with Giants’ vice president Bobby Evans, who confirmed that Cabrera nearly severed his hand, and the rehab process might be longer than originally thought at the time of this article.

"“I don’t think this is career threatening,” Evans said. “He’s 17 years old. It’s going to take time. He could be looking at a year or more of rehab, I hesitate to say two years, but at least a year of baseball activities.”"

Original: San Francisco Giants’ No. 14 ranked prospect Gustavo Cabrera suffered a “gruesome” wrist injury in late October at his home in the Dominican Republic, per a report from Baseball America’s Ben Badler.

The 17-year-old outfielder reportedly suffered severe lacerations to his right wrist — which is his throwing hand — that were so bad it appeared he nearly lost his hand.  Cabrera went to the hospital in his native country to have the bleeding stopped and ended up having surgery two days later in San Francisco to repair the damage.

In an excerpt from the report; it remains unclear exactly what happened:

"Cabrera could not be reached for comment, and what exactly caused such a grisly injury is uncertain. According to sources, Cabrera slipped and fell in his home in La Romana on Oct. 22. While bracing his fall, Cabrera cut his wrist on glass—one source said it was on a glass table, although another thought it was a window—causing severe bleeding and tendon damage."

Cabrera finished the 2013 season as the Giants 14th ranked prospect, despite playing in only 54 games in the Dominican Summer League.  He hit .247 in 186 at bats with 2 HRs, 22 RBI, 30 BB, 54 K’s and 21 stolen bases.  He is described as “raw” with tons of upside in just about every category, with speed being his greatest asset. Cabrera scores a 7 out of 8 on MLB.com’s speed scale which equates to “plus” — or very, very fast.

Cabrera was ranked No. 1 on MLB.com’s Top 20 international prospects list before signing with the Giants for $1.3 million in 2012.  He has been compared to Atlanta Braves and former Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton in terms of tools when the two were the same age.

Back in April of 2012, Cabrera spoke about being the top international prospect at age 16 with Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com.

“I don’t feel any pressure,” Cabrera said. “Will my life change? I hope it does. I have been working hard to live my dream and get to the Major Leagues one day.”

According to the Baseball America report, his 2014 season is now in jeopardy and that dream, for now, will be a bit delayed.  Cabrera was projected to start in the Arizona Rookie League this year and potentially progress onward.

The one thing Cabrera has working for him, thank goodness, is his age.  Not even 18-years-old yet, the 6’2″ 190lb Cabrera has the benefit of taking his time with this injury and getting back to full health without much pressure.

Here is to a speedy recovery.

 UPDATE:

Per a report from Andrew Baggarly at CSN Bay Area — Giants farm director Fred Stanley confirmed Cabrera’s injury, saying he heard the 17-year-old outfielder put his hand through a window. But Stanley also said it was his understanding that Cabrera likely would be able to play in 2014, and the injury would not threaten his career.

“He wasn’t going to Augusta anyway,” Stanley said of the 17-year-old center fielder. “He was going to the Arizona League and that doesn’t start till June. So he’s got eight months. I’m betting he’ll be 100 percent by that time.”