Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50

Back in 1999, scout Sal Agostenelli signed catcher Carlos Ruiz out of Panama for just $8,000 and he went on to be a huge part of the Phillies’ 2008 World Series championship team. Philadelphia wants history to repeat itself with Tait, also signed out of Panama, in January 2023 for $90,000. After posting a .917 OPS during his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, the Phillies are hoping they might have Chooch 2.0 on their hands.

Tait will be just 17 for most of his U.S. debut in 2024 and already checks off one big box as a left-handed-hitting catcher. He has a good feel for the barrel and makes hard contact, leading to confidence he’ll be able to have a solid hit-power combination as he matures and continues to add strength, with the chance to eventually develop better-than-average power down the road. 

Behind the plate, Tait’s best tool is his arm, which could be plus and enabled him to throw out 44 percent of potential basestealers during his debut. The rest of his receiving skills need polish, but he should be able to play there long term, giving him the opportunity to eventually become a bat-first starting catcher in the big leagues. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Staryln Caba may have been the star of the Phillies’ haul on the international market in 2023, getting $3 million to join the organization. But he’s not alone among position players making an early name for themselves from the signing class. Tait got just $90,000 to sign out of Panama and if early returns in the Dominican Summer League are any indication, they may have gotten a huge bargain.

Still only 16 years old for most of his debut summer, Tait is a left-handed-hitting catcher who is already showing a good feel to hit and making consistent hard contact. He’s also exhibiting an ability to tap into his plus raw power now, and as he’s already adding strength, there’s a chance he could develop into a true impact hitter.

Tait has more work to do behind the plate, though the Phillies like the way he sets up there and have confidence he’ll be able to stick there, especially since his plus arm plays very well from the position. He’ll come stateside for his United States debut in 2024.

Awards

FCL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2024

FCL Player of the Month

Month	Team
06/2024

DSL Mid-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	07/23/2024	C Eduardo Tait assigned to Clearwater Threshers from FCL Phillies.
	04/01/2024	C Eduardo Tait assigned to FCL Phillies from DSL Phillies White.
	03/07/2024	Philadelphia Phillies Prospects activated C Eduardo Tait.
	08/10/2023	C Eduardo Tait assigned to DSL Phillies White from DSL Phillies Red.
	07/29/2023	DSL NL All-Stars activated C Eduardo Tait.
	06/05/2023	C Eduardo Tait assigned to DSL Phillies Red.
	01/15/2023	Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent C Eduardo Tait to a minor league contract.
	01/15/2023	C Eduardo Tait assigned to DSL Phillies White.
	01/15/2023	DSL Phillies White activated C Eduardo Tait.
	09/08/2022	IF Eduardo Tait assigned to International Team (18U).
	09/08/2022	International Team (18U) activated C Eduardo Tait.
	09/08/2022	International Team (18U) activated C Eduardo Tait.