You likely don’t know the name Jesus Starlyn Caba, but you should likely keep it somewhere in your memory banks for the future. He is the latest member of the Phillies organization after signing a $3-million deal with the club. Caba, 17, was ranked as the 13th best overall international prospect.
Phillies scout Sal Agostinelli told Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he loves Caba’s defensive skills, but believes he will be even better. “He’s really good defensively. He’s as good as it gets, in my opinion,” said Agostinelli. “I think the only thing that would stop him from the big leagues, defensively, right now, is that he’d make some errors, just because he’s in awe… I have been doing this for 27 years and I have never seen a shortstop move around like he did.”
Caba is slated to play for the Phillies in the Dominican Summer League this year and likely come to the states as early as next season.
Caba joins Taiwanese pitcher Wen-Hui Pan, who signed for $420-thousand, including $70-thousand to go toward college expenses. The 20-year old right-hander throws four pitches with a fastball sitting in the upper-90s and will be in minor league spring training with the Phillies before opening the year in rookie ball.