As initially reported yesterday at 7:30 PM by Chase Ford and Milb Central the Phillies will be promoting shortstop Starlyn Caba and catcher Eduardo Tait from the FCL Phillies to the Clearwater Threshers. Although not yet officially announced by the club I anticipate that both will be in uniform this evening when Clearwater plays in Tampa against the Tarpons.
Eduardo Tait is seventeen years old (turns 18 on 8/27) and when he takes the field as a Thresher he will be one of the youngest players to ever play low A level affiliated baseball in Phillies history (note that outfielder Carlos Tocci played at the affiliated Low A level in Lakewood in 2013 - he turned 18 on 8/23). He’s posted great offensive numbers on the backfields in FCL play - a .321/.377/.500 slash line with an .877 OPS in 212 plate appearances (51 games) with 13 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs and 49 RBIs. His RBI total ranks third highest amongst all minor leaguers in the organization this year in 20 fewer games played than the two players ahead of him and his batting average and slugging percentage are second best in the organization for players with 200 or more plate appearances 😳.
We’ve watched Eduardo (signed 1/15/23 from Panama) for the past two seasons both on video and in person. He’s got great hitting skills, seemingly always hits the ball hard and to all fields. Will put the ball in play consistently as a left handed hitter with excellent bat to ball capabilities. Defensively he’s got a howitzer for an arm, throws akin to Rafael Marchan with both velocity and accuracy - even when we’ve seen runners get standing starts on him this summer he’s still been able to throw them out! Receiving, footwork, release and framing are areas to improve but he’s a hard worker and very coachable from our observations - he’s only seventeen so there’s plenty of time to strengthen all of his game. Over the course of this very hot summer we’ve also noticed a sharpened focus on strength and conditioning as well, he’s posted every day catching 27 games and DH’ing in 24 others. Just an impressive young man and consistent high level performance to date in his career.
I’ve seen only one other player who’s impressed me as much defensively on the backfields as eighteen year old Starlyn Caba has this summer and that fella is currently patrolling center field in the major leagues for the Phillies. We’ve seen Starlyn make plays at shortstop that are Ozzie Smith like - the range, arm strength, glove work, hands and jumps are far beyond his age. His relay throws from the outfield makes ya stand to watch, both from an accuracy and velocity perspective, they eat up ground in unbelievable manner👀. The energy with which he plays every time he’s on the field is exemplary, regardless of whether in practice or games, he’s constant motion anticipating the next play - is heady as well, knows the game and is well taught. Offensively we’ve seen tremendous patience in working counts (has 51 walks in 225 plate appearances) and strong bat to ball skills. He’s shown the ability to drive the ball - 6 doubles, a triple and 2 home runs. Once on base he’s apt to steal the next bag (37 stolen bases is tops in the entire organization in twenty fewer games than the next player in the rankings) - gets really good reads and has excellent quickness and athleticism. Starlyn has posted an outstanding OBP of .427 this summer which is second in the organization amongst players with 200 or more plate appearances.
I wrote a spotlight article earlier this year on him on 5/25 https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/5-27-24-spotlight-shortstop-starlyn-caba. He told me in that interview “I love this sport, have been playing it since I was 4 years old.” and that “I love playing defense, because I can be creative and do unique things. I always try to be a captain.” and he’s focused - “I came for a dream and I know I'm going to achieve it because my mind is only on baseball.” Starlyn is not the biggest in stature and some have voiced concerns in that regard but I have no such worries - the way he carries himself, the persona, the heart with which he plays, the athleticism and the energy are all major league caliber, he will also get stronger as he grows more into his body. At just 18 (turns 19 on 12/6) he too will be amongst the youngest players in Phillies history to ever play affiliated baseball once he takes the field with Clearwater. Also signed on 1/15/23 the Dominican Republic native has all the tools to succeed - the 2023 Phillies international signing class is well represented by these two young men.
Congratulations to each and best wishes for continuing growth and success! We will be watching for sure as they progress.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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