Stott, Cabrera receive Paul Owens Awards

PHILADELPHIA -- Bryson Stott is a 23-year-old shortstop from Las Vegas. Jean Cabrera is a 19-year-old pitcher from Venezuela.

Stott is baseball's No. 99 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Cabrera is a relative unknown outside the Phillies’ organization. A longtime friend of Bryce Harper, Stott spent several nights this summer at Harper’s home. Cabrera, meanwhile, grew up idolizing Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler. Cabrera, who had never been in the United States until this week, got to meet him for the first time on Monday at Citizens Bank Park.

Stott and Cabrera were honored on Monday as the organization’s Paul Owens Award winners for being its Minor League player and pitcher of the year, respectively.

Stott batted a combined .299 with 26 doubles, 2 triples, 15 home runs, 46 RBIs and an .879 OPS in 446 plate appearances with High-A Jersey Shore and Double-A Reading. He could push for a big league promotion as early as next season, if he continues to play well. Being in the ballpark again on Monday makes that possibility feel a little closer.

“Absolutely,” Stott said. “You come here and you [see] the stadium and feel awesome, and just being around the guys makes you want to be up here and helping the team win. I have that same goal, and I am going to do what I can to get here. Just keep swinging and playing defense is a big thing. Obviously, you’ve got to hit and play defense to move. They’re not going to move because they want to move you. You’ve got to earn it. And I am looking forward to that.”

Stott is scheduled to get more at-bats this fall in the Arizona Fall League. He will be with the Phillies again next spring in Clearwater, Fla. Where Stott ultimately plays in the big leagues remains to be seen. He is a shortstop, but the Phillies also played him this season at second base and third base.

“Obviously, the more positions you play, the better your chances are,” Stott said. “You don’t want to be a guy that can only play the one. And to be able to play all three positions is big. I enjoy moving around, and to do whatever I can to get here, obviously, I will do.”

Cabrera went 3-2 with a 1.66 ERA in 12 starts with the Rookie-level Phillies White in the Dominican Summer League. He struck out 58 and walked 10 in 48 2/3 innings. He is years away from potentially joining the Phillies in the Majors.

Cabrera said he threw only two pitches during his tryout a couple years ago with the Phillies. He thought it meant he messed up. It turns out, what the Phillies saw matched the reports they read from Phillies scout William Mota.

They simply didn’t need to see anything more from him.

Cabrera was throwing 90 mph then.

He is throwing 97 mph today, he said.

Cabrera said his favorite pitcher to watch is Phillies ace Zack Wheeler. He said he became a Wheeler fan when he pitched for the Mets. The two chatted for a few minutes before the game.

“I would try to mimic the way he pitches and the way he throws the ball,” Cabrera said through the team’s interpreter.