Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

Caba reminds some scouts of a young Francisco Lindor.

The teen has a chance to be an above-average player defensively because of his instincts at shortstop and strong arm. He makes all of the routine plays and shows a good internal clock in games. He shows the type of footwork and soft hands that will keep him at the position as he makes his way through the Minor Leagues.

The switch-hitter displays sound mechanics and the ability to drive the ball to all fields. He makes consistent hard contact, and more raw power could come as he develops and matures. He also has a chance to be an above-average runner.

Caba trains with Basilio “Cachaza” Vizcaino in the Dominican Republic. The Phillies are among the teams who have shown strong interest in him. Vizcaino is a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 70 | Overall: 55

The Phillies signed Caba for $3 million out of the Dominican Republic because he was considered the best defender in the 2023 international class, and he has lived up to that reputation. He made his U.S. debut last summer, leading the Rookie-level Florida Complex League in walks (51 in 52 games), runs (44) and steals (37) before scuffling after a promotion to Single-A at age 18. The Marlins acquired him and outfield speedster Emaarion Boyd in a December trade for Jesús Luzardo.

Some evaluators believe that Caba is the top defender in the Minors and give him top-of-the-scale 80 grades for his shortstop defense. He has smooth actions along with quality range to both sides, solid arm strength and a good internal clock. He's also more consistent than most teenage shortstops and looks like a lock to win Gold Gloves when he reaches the big leagues.

A switch-hitter, Caba has a patient approach at the plate and focuses on making contact to all fields. He understands that his role is to get on base and make use of his plus speed and basestealing acumen. He lacks strength and has a flat stroke from both sides of the plate, so there are questions about his ability to do damage and he may not produce more than 10-12 homers per season.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 70 | Overall: 55

The best defender in the 2023 international class, Caba signed with the Phillies for $3 million out of the Dominican Republic. His glove has lived up to its reputation in his first two pro seasons, and he performed well at the plate in two Rookie leagues before struggling in Single-A at the end of 2024. The Marlins acquired him along with speedy outfield prospect Emaarion Boyd in a December deal for Jesús Luzardo.

Caba’s athleticism jumps out on both sides of the ball. The switch-hitting teenager has a knack for making a ton of contact from both sides of the plate and led the Rookie-level Florida Complex League in walks (52 in 51 games), runs (44) and steals (37) last summer. He has an extreme hit-over-power profile right now and will need to add significant strength and drive balls in the air much more often to get to double-digit home run totals.

Caba has plus speed, outstanding range, soft hands, excellent footwork, above-average arm strength and a good internal clock at shortstop. He has all the ingredients to become a Gold Glover and earns comparisons to Francisco Lindor. Lindor showed little pop in the Minors before developing into a consistent 30-homer threat in the Majors, and if Caba produces even half as much power, he'll be a star.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

The 2023 international amateur class was rich with shortstops, with six showing up on the top 15 of MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 international prospects list. Caba, ranked No. 13 on that list, was fifth among those shortstops and signed with the Phillies for $3 million after training in the Dominican Republic with Basilio “Cachaza” Vizcaino, a member of Major League Baseball’s Trainer Partnership program.

Caba has elicited some early comps to a young Francisco Lindor. Like Lindor, he’s a switch-hitter with the chance to really hit. He has good mechanics at the plate and has shown the ability to make hard contact and use all fields. There’s some raw pop in there, and while it seems like right now, he’s more likely to be a gap-to-gap doubles hitter than one with a ton of homers, it should be noted that Lindor has rushed past early power projections.

A bouncy athlete with above-average speed, Caba has every chance to play shortstop long term and could be a plus defender at the premium position in the future, with excellent side-to-side range to go along with good footwork, soft hands and a good internal clock. He’ll be just 17 for all of the 2023 season.

Awards

AFL Rising Stars

Year	Team
2025

DSL Mid-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/08/2025	National League Fall Stars activated SS Starlyn Caba.
	09/10/2025	SS Starlyn Caba assigned to Mesa Solar Sox.
	06/24/2025	Jupiter Hammerheads activated SS Starlyn Caba from the 60-day injured list.
	05/07/2025	Jupiter Hammerheads transferred SS Starlyn Caba from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	04/22/2025	Jupiter Hammerheads placed SS Starlyn Caba on the 7-day injured list.
	03/23/2025	SS Starlyn Caba assigned to Miami Marlins.
	03/06/2025	activated SS Starlyn Caba.
	12/22/2024	Philadelphia Phillies traded LF Emaarion Boyd and SS Starlyn Caba to Miami Marlins for LHP Jesús Luzardo and C Paul McIntosh.
	12/22/2024	Jupiter Hammerheads activated SS Starlyn Caba.
	12/22/2024	SS Starlyn Caba assigned to Jupiter Hammerheads.
	12/22/2024	SS Starlyn Caba roster status changed by Miami Marlins.
	07/23/2024	SS Starlyn Caba assigned to Clearwater Threshers from FCL Phillies.
	07/23/2024	Clearwater Threshers activated SS Starlyn Caba.
	03/07/2024	Philadelphia Phillies Prospects activated SS Starlyn Caba.
	11/06/2023	FCL Phillies activated SS Starlyn Caba.
	08/17/2023	SS Starlyn Caba roster status changed by FCL Phillies.
	08/14/2023	SS Starlyn Caba assigned to FCL Phillies from DSL Phillies White.
	07/29/2023	DSL NL All-Stars activated SS Starlyn Caba.
	06/04/2023	DSL Phillies White activated SS Starlyn Caba.
	01/15/2023	SS Jesus Caba assigned to DSL Phillies White.
	01/15/2023	Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent SS Jesus Caba to a minor league contract.