Three additional players have been added to Baseball America’s list of the Phillies’ Top 10 prospects for 2024.
Baseball America’s Top 10 Phillies prospects for 2024 (subscription needed) now includes three new players in the yearly shuffle of offseason prospect lists.
The new rankings include the typical suspects. Top of the list despite missing the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery is Andrew Painter. Justin Crawford, an outfielder, and Mick Abel complete the top three, with Crawford surpassing the right-handed pitcher. Aidan Miller, a third baseman, moves up to the number four place, while Griff McGarry, who had a difficult season in 2023, is eliminated from the Top 10 completely.
However, you’ve heard a lot about all of those names before. But what about the recent entrants who made it into the Top 10?
Starlyn Caba, SS, No. 5 prospect
Today, we’ll be examining three fascinating additions to the list.
Among the Phillies’ foreign free agents, Dominican Starlyn Caba, who signed in January as a 17-year-old, received the largest bonus. Playing in the Dominican Summer League to start his Phillies career, the switch-hitting shortstop never made it to the United States this season.
According to Baseball America, Caba was sidelined due to an elbow injury after 38 games. He hit.301/.423/.346 in those 38 games and looked like a No. 5 prospect. That indicates that he doesn’t have a lot of home run power.The young player has a 346 slugging percentage and no home runs, but he can hit.
In 164 plate appearances, the now 18-year-old racked up 40 hits and 28 walks (17.1 percent walk rate). With just 16 strikeouts, he had a 9.8% strikeout rate. He stole 16 bases with a 60 grade speed, scored 29 runs, and drove in 17.
According to his Baseball America scouting report, Caba is one of the organization’s fastest infield defenders and demonstrates excellent defensive reflexes. His good arm strength and footwork should allow him to stay at shortstop.
Caba is expected to arrive in the United States in 2024, and as he advances through the Phillies development system, he will be a fascinating talent to watch.
Bryan Rincon, SS, No. 7 prospect
Bryan Rincon, another switch-hitting shortstop, is ranked No. 7 among the Phillies’ Top 10 prospects. The 19-year-old, who was selected in the 14th round of the 2022 draft out of a Pittsburgh high school, spent the majority of the previous season (81) playing in Low-A before spending 18 games in High-A.
With the Clearwater Threshers, he hit just.228 but had a.738 OPS, eight home runs, and 23 stolen bases. After being promoted to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, he raised his average to.258 but during his brief stint at the higher level, his OPS dropped to.686.
In his 425 plate appearances, Rincon had impressive plate discipline and zone awareness, walking 16.0 percent and striking out 17.9 percent of the time.
Baseball America projects Rincon with the ceiling of an everyday shortstop but is more likely to end up a super-utility player who provides defensive value.
Eduardo Tait, C, No. 9 prospect
Still just 17 years old, catcher Eduardo Tait spent his 2023 season in the Dominican Summer League after signing as an international free agent out of Panama.
In 44 games, the 6-foot backstop displayed his skills at the plate, hitting.333 with a.917 OPS, 33 RBI, and three home runs. It was an impressive debut, especially considering that he made it mostly as a 16-year-old, 1.7 years younger than the league average. According to his scouting report, Tait demonstrated an 88.8 mph average exit velocity and a 92.9 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, which is better than most players his age or in the DSL. The new No. 9 prospect should move to Florida in 2024 and begin his Phillies development system. Baseball America projects his upside as an offense-first everyday catcher in the majors.
