The Chicago Cubs believe an elite defense backing and emphasis on strike throwing can help Edward Cabrera turn flashes into consistency.
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell, along with president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and dozens of Cubs legends — past and present — spent the weekend in front of packed crowds at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk for the annual Cubs Convention.
Fans had the chance to interact with their favorite players through photo ops and autograph sessions, sit in on panel discussions, and even ask questions directly to Cubs players and executives.
During one of those panels, Counsell offered detailed insight into newly acquired starting pitcher Edward Cabrera, and it was clear the Cubs are bullish on what the 27-year-old right-hander can become.
Counsell expressed significant confidence in Cabrera, outlining what the organization sees in him — and, more importantly, how Chicago believes it can help him take the next step in his career.
“What we see in Edward [Cabrera] is just a pitcher who’s ready to take off,” Counsell said during Cubs Convention. “We have to try to figure out how to get him to the next place. And that’s what’s fun about coaching — we’re going to help him get to that place.”
For Counsell, the foundation of that improvement starts with something simple.
“Throwing strikes — when you have this defense, we have to emphasize throwing strikes when we’re putting this defense out there,” he continued. “Our defense should be as good as any team in Major League Baseball. It behooves you to make outs.”
Defense is no small thing in Cabrera’s case.
His upper-90s fastball grabs attention, but it hasn’t consistently been his most effective weapon. Cabrera does his real damage with his off-speed pitches.
In 2025, he leaned on his changeup, slider, and curveball 67 percent of the time, inducing a ground-ball rate that ranked in the 74th percentile across Major League Baseball.
Put that profile in front of an infield featuring Alex Bregman, Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and occasional reps from Matt Shaw, and those ground balls start turning into outs. Chicago has built a defensively savvy roster designed to encourage pitchers to work in the zone and trust the gloves behind them.
That approach could be the key to Cabrera’s breakout.
For a pitcher who has allowed loud contact and struggled with walks, dialing in his command, attacking the strike zone, and forcing balls into play can lead not only to better results — but greater longevity.
That’s how Cabrera takes the next step: evolving from a pitcher who flashes brilliance into a dependable rotation arm.
Considering the modest price the Cubs paid to acquire him from Miami, they’ll be hoping Counsell and the coaching staff get it right.
And if they do — if Chicago truly unlocks the next tier of Edward Cabrera’s talent — he could become a pillar of the rotation during some critical upcoming contention years.