Name: Starlyn Caba
Position: SS
Born: December 6, 2005
Bats/Throws: S/R
Height/Weight: 5’10” 160lbs
How Acquired: International Free Agent (2023 Class)
Signed: January 15, 2023
Bonus: $3,000,000
Options Remaining: 3
Rule 5 Eligible: 2027
MiLB Free Agency: 2029
Stats
Prospect Rankings
Role: First Division Regular
Risk: Extreme – Caba played 38 games in the Dominican Summer League, and managed just 4 extra base hits during that time. He should be at minimum a plus defensive shortstop, and while he has the physical projection and athleticism to potentially grow into some power, it is not there yet.
Summary: Caba was the Phillies top signing in the 2023 international signing class, and one of the better prospects in the class overall. He is an athletic switch hitter, who much like Bergolla the year before, showed an advanced approach at the plate in his debut. He didn’t quite show Bergolla’s contact abilities, but it is still elite for his age and he managed it from both sides of the plate. He also did not hit the ball hard, but unlike Bergolla you can see more physical projection available, and he has a quicker and more athletic swing. Caba gets some comps to Francisco Lindor, and they are similarly sized, athletic, switch hitting shortstops with great gloves. Lindor ended up with much more power than expected with the 30 home run spike in 2017, and it is likely that a more optimistic projection of the strength and power growth for Caba is the 10-15 home runs a year that Lindor was trending towards early in his career. If Caba can continue the selectivity and approach he showed in 2023 and get to that power range, he will be an above average hitter. He might only need to get to below average to be an impact player given his defensive potential. He has a quick first step and plus speed, alongside good instincts. He seems to have enough arm, but I don’t know if I saw him really air one out from the hole to say whether it is going to be a weapon or just fine. He is going to be at least a plus defender barring something catastrophic happening. Unless he suddenly finds a bunch of strength and bat speed without losing the hit tool, he is probably not going to be a good enough offensive player to be a star. However, he could end up a valuable starter for a playoff caliber team, possibly even as a lead off hitter. Given his precociousness for his age and physicality, it is possible that Caba is promoted faster than his statistical production, and that it takes another 4-5 years for the full shape of his offense to come together.
2024 Outlook: Caba will be in Extended Spring Training and likely the Florida Complex League after that. The Phillies aggressively pushed Bergolla in 2023, so they could potentially push Caba if they feel like his hit tool can handle it. Most likely he plays most of his games in the complex, possibly mixing in some second base so others can get shortstop reps.
Role: First Division Regular
Risk: Extreme – Caba played 38 games in the Dominican Summer League, and managed just 4 extra base hits during that time. He should be at minimum a plus defensive shortstop, and while he has the physical projection and athleticism to potentially grow into some power, it is not there yet.
Summary: Caba was the Phillies top signing in the 2023 international signing class, and one of the better prospects in the class overall. He is an athletic switch hitter, who much like Bergolla the year before, showed an advanced approach at the plate in his debut. He didn’t quite show Bergolla’s contact abilities, but it is still elite for his age and he managed it from both sides of the plate. He also did not hit the ball hard, but unlike Bergolla you can see more physical projection available, and he has a quicker and more athletic swing. Caba gets some comps to Francisco Lindor, and they are similarly sized, athletic, switch hitting shortstops with great gloves. Lindor ended up with much more power than expected with the 30 home run spike in 2017, and it is likely that a more optimistic projection of the strength and power growth for Caba is the 10-15 home runs a year that Lindor was trending towards early in his career. If Caba can continue the selectivity and approach he showed in 2023 and get to that power range, he will be an above average hitter. He might only need to get to below average to be an impact player given his defensive potential. He has a quick first step and plus speed, alongside good instincts. He seems to have enough arm, but I don’t know if I saw him really air one out from the hole to say whether it is going to be a weapon or just fine. He is going to be at least a plus defender barring something catastrophic happening. Unless he suddenly finds a bunch of strength and bat speed without losing the hit tool, he is probably not going to be a good enough offensive player to be a star. However, he could end up a valuable starter for a playoff caliber team, possibly even as a lead off hitter. Given his precociousness for his age and physicality, it is possible that Caba is promoted faster than his statistical production, and that it takes another 4-5 years for the full shape of his offense to come together.
2024 Outlook: Caba will be in Extended Spring Training and likely the Florida Complex League after that. The Phillies aggressively pushed Bergolla in 2023, so they could potentially push Caba if they feel like his hit tool can handle it. Most likely he plays most of his games in the complex, possibly mixing in some second base so others can get shortstop reps.