MIAMI, FL – Picking up where we left off the previous month, the Lemon City Live Marlins writers and I agreed on the May MVP. After arguably having the best month of his young career, we were unanimous in our decision to name Edward Cabrera the Marlins MVP.
His journey to the big leagues
Cabrera is the player on the roster who has been associated with the Miami Marlins for the longest time. He signed with the ballclub as an international free agent in 2015. His journey to the big leagues began with the Gulf Coast Marlins in 2016. In 47 innings of work, he posted a 2-6 record with a 4.21 ERA. In 2017, he moved on to play with the Batavia Muckdogs. He struggled there, pitching to a 1-3 record with a 5.30 ERA. Still, he got the promotion to the Greensboro Grasshoppers, and this is where the Marlins got to see a better glimpse of their future starting pitcher. With Greensboro, Edward Cabrera managed a 4-8 record with a 4.22 ERA and 93 punchouts in 22 starts.
He again would move on to the next round of minor league ball. He started the 2019 season with the Jupiter Hammerheads. Cabrera truly had a huge turnaround in his brief time with them. He earned Florida State League All-Star honors, and after just eight starts, he got the call to join the AA Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Cabrera finished 2019, going 9-4 with a 2.23 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts over 96.2 innings. Edward Cabrera was added to the Marlins 40-man roster after the season.
Last but not least: All-⭐️ RHP Edward Cabrera, who made headlines when he threw 13 K to help Jupiter break an 11-game losing streak. In his last start he allowed one hit over 6 IP for his 5th shutout start of the season 🔥
2019 All-Star Game Tickets: https://t.co/1kcF91nguo pic.twitter.com/M65XJrASsR
— Jupiter Hammerheads (@GoHammerheads) June 7, 2019
Come 2021, Cabrera juggled time between Jupiter, the AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos, and AAA Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. He totaled 13 starts in the minors that season with a 3-4 record, 2.93 ERA, and 92 strikeouts in 61.1 innings. By then, the Marlins had seen enough and gave him the call-up to the major leagues.
His up-and-down MLB career
Cabrera’s MLB Debut came on August 25, 2021, where he threw for 6.1 innings, earning a no-decision in a 4-3 victory over the Nationals. He would end up making seven starts that season. Cabrera went 0-3 with a 5.81 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts. It was not how he intended for his first batch of starts to turn out. By the end of the season, his command issues were already a question of concern. In 26.1 innings pitched, he allowed 19 free passes.
He did not make the Opening Day roster in 2022. However, he didn’t let that derail him. He had some promising outings in the minors, striking out 12.9 batters per nine innings pitched. He showed why he wasn’t overmatched to be in contention for a rotation spot in the first place. The then #2 Prospect for the Marlins, got the call-up to the team and earned his first career win on June 1st against the Rockies. Finishing the season with a 6-4 record, 3.01 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts across 14 starts, the future looked bright for the young Dominican pitcher.
Another Edward Cabrera turbo changeup (94.5 mph) ⚡ pic.twitter.com/PT2aeSCN9s
— Fish On First Spaces (@MarlinsSpaces) June 7, 2022
2023 was seen as a breakout season for him, but it ended up being a roller coaster instead. He was placed on the 15-day IL in mid-June due to a right shoulder impingement. By then, his inconsistency was being exposed once again. With the Marlins being in Wild Card contention, he even got demoted to Triple-A in August before getting called up again. He finished the season going 7-7 with a 4.24 ERA and 118 strikeouts. He allowed 66 walks in 99.2 innings.
2024 was no different, with Cabrera falling short of expectations. He got injured again and finished 4-8 with a 4.95 ERA and 107 strikeouts.
May 2025 turnaround
Coming into May of this season, we were used to seeing the usual from Edward Cabrera. He was carrying a 7.23 ERA with 20 punchouts, 15 runs allowed, four long balls, and a .286 opponents’ batting average to his name. Once the calendar flipped to May, we started to see a version of Edward Cabrera that we hadn’t seen before.
Cabrera’s start on May 19th against the Cubs displayed him overcoming obstacles and still managing to deliver a strong performance. The three runs he gave up came off a home run and yet he struck out seven batters. Even though he got the no-decision in his five innings of work, the Marlins would go on to win this game.
Edward Cabrera's start:
5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, BB, 7 K
90 pitches (56 strikes)
Max velo: 97.7 mphThree straight starts of just one walk. Big development for Cabrera.
All 3 runs came on the HR.
Had extra rest coming in because of the fingernail issue.#Marlins pic.twitter.com/rXWPt6kMOo— Christina De Nicola (@CDeNicola13) May 20, 2025
His best outing of the month came on May 25th against the Angels. Edward Cabrera was lights out, allowing just three hits in 5.2 solid innings of work. The impressive feat of all was his 10 strikeouts. The Angels just couldn’t solve any of his pitches, giving him his first win of the season.
Edward Cabrera, Nasty 93mph Changeup. 👌
10th K pic.twitter.com/CtjcV2O1bx
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 25, 2025
Cabrera would go on to close the month strong on a high note. He earned himself another win on May 31st against the Giants. He pitched 5.2 innings once again and had his second consecutive outing without allowing a run. Despite allowing six hits and three bases on balls, Cabrera looked comfortable out there with five strikeouts.
Ronny Henriquez punches out Tyler Fitzgerald to get out of the sixth and officially end Edward Cabrera's afternoon. Cabrera's final line:
5.2 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO, 0 HR, 89 NP
Another impressive outing from Cabrera, who ends his stellar month of May with a 2.03 ERA. pic.twitter.com/fkt8CFvV9K
— Nate Karzmer (@NateKarzmer) May 31, 2025
All in all, Cabrera would total five starts in May, going 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA, 28 strikeouts, and allowing just six runs. His opponent’s batting average decreased to .242 for the month and kept his walks down to eight. It’s impressive that he maintained consistency despite having pitched more innings in May.
Honorable mention
The honorable mention for May will go to Agustin Ramirez. Since his call-up, Ramirez has been terrific. He went 2-for-3 with a double and a stolen base in his MLB Debut. From there, his season has taken off, and he’s in serious contention for the Rookie of the Year award.
The only catcher in MLB this season with 7+ HR, 11+ 2B, and an .800+ OPS:
Agustín Ramírez pic.twitter.com/bBApqgHQ0e
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) May 29, 2025
Through the end of May, Ramirez found himself hitting .256 with 12 doubles, seven homers, and 17 RBI.
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