10 Players To Watch In The 2024 Florida Complex League

Phillies SS Starlyn Caba is a breakout prospect to watch

Image credit: Phillies SS Starlyn Caba (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Change is coming to the complex leagues. Instead of their traditional summertime start dates, both the Arizona and Florida Complex Leagues begin their seasons on May 4. The final regular-season game for both circuits is July 25, just days before MLB’s trading deadline.

The reasons behind the move up were enumerated by JJ Cooper in February. Traditionally, these leagues are where the current year’s draftees get their feet wet, but that is unlikely to be the case in 2024 unless a player signs exceptionally quickly after the draft ends on July 16.

Instead, the leagues will be filled with players from last year’s draft who didn’t make a full-season club and international players who spent their first pro season in the Dominican Summer League.

Here are 10 players to watch in the Florida Complex League.

Starlyn Caba, SS, Phillies

Caba was one of Philadelphia’s highest profile signings in the international period that opened on Jan. 15, 2023. Despite a premature ending because of left elbow surgery, Caba’s pro debut in the DSL was everything he and the Phillies could have imagined. The 18-year-old showed dazzling defense that could one day get to a true 80-grade tool as well as outstanding bat-to-ball skills. His power might never be better than below-average, but everything else on Caba’s card grades as above-average or better.

Starlyn Caba has been one of the most impressive young players I've seen in spring. Might be a 70 defender at shortstop with good bat-to-ball skills and approach on both sides of the plate. Here's a quick look at the RH swing. #Phillies pic.twitter.com/C3jCKImP3J
— Geoff Pontes (@GeoffPontesBA) March 27, 2024

Andres Valor, OF, Marlins

Valor was one of the stars of Miami’s DSL squad. He also piqued evaluators’ interest during Spring Breakout. The talented teenager showed both speed and power in his first pro season, which manifested in 21 stolen bases and max exit velocities hovering around 108 mph. Valor is both lithe and athletic and has a chance to stick in center field depending on how his body grows as he matures. If he moves to a corner, both his bat and arm would profile in right field.

Brando Mayea, OF, Yankees

Mayea was New York’s top signing in the international period that opened on Jan. 15, 2023. He opened his career with a strong showing in the DSL. Mayea’s allure came thanks to a strong set of tools across the board, led by potentially double-plus speed that should help him stick in center field as he ages and adds strength to his frame. He has plenty of contact skills and burgeoning power, but he’ll need to get more balls in the air to make the most of his offensive upside.

Brailer Guerrero, OF, Rays

Guerrero’s breakout season was supposed to come in 2023, but he lasted just seven games before suffering an injury that required season-ending surgery on his shoulder. In a limited pro sample and as an amateur, Guerrero has blended big-time impact with sound decisions into a package that should make him a fearsome offensive force in Port Charlotte this summer. Most of his value comes from his bat, which should one day produce the type of plus power that would support a right field role.

Eduardo Tait, C, Phillies

Along with Starlyn Caba, Tait was one of the standouts in the Phillies’ 2023 Dominican Summer League group. Tait was a sneakier signing and performed well all season despite one of the younger players in the league—he didn’t turn 17 until the playoffs. If he reaches his peak, Tait could be a thumper in the middle of the order thanks to a combination of hit and power tools that are potentially average and plus, respectively. He has a chance to stick behind the plate, but he has a lot of polish to apply to achieve that goal. Fortunately, he has a lot of time on his side as well.

The Phillies No. 9 prospect Eduardo Tait has showed a good balance of feel-to-hit and plus power projection across a handful of looks the last week. He's mostly DH'd in my looks, legit lefthanded power bat that has a shot to stick at catcher. #Phillies pic.twitter.com/F8cPiZpWYj
— Geoff Pontes (@GeoffPontesBA) March 25, 2024

Keiner Delgado, 2B, Pirates

The newest Pirates prospect came to Pittsburgh on April 30 as the player to be named later in the deal that sent JT Brubaker to New York. Delgado was part of a loaded FCL Yankees club and earned plaudits from scouts for his ability to do a little bit of everything while always being one of the smartest players on the diamond. He’s a versatile defender who makes plenty of contact but could stand to add strength in order to gain impact as well.

Jeremy Rodriguez, SS, Mets

The second trade product on this list, Rodriguez came from the D-backs to the Mets in the deal that sent Tommy Pham to Arizona. The infielder has plenty of strong points in his favor, including sound swing decisions, big bat speed and a high rate of contact. He did not have much thump behind his contact, however, and needs to add strength to his frame to up the ante in the batter’s box. Doing so will be paramount, considering he’s likely to shift to second base as he ages.

Joshua Liranzo, 3B, Orioles

It’s no secret that Baltimore’s system is loaded with prospects, especially at the upper levels. Liranzo, however, might be flying under the radar a little bit. The younger brother of Dodgers prospect Thayron Liranzo stands out for his excellent defense at third base, feel for the game and high baseball IQ. He showed power potential in the DSL last season as well, with six doubles and five home runs. Liranzo’s approach needs work, but he has the upside of a third baseman with skills on both sides of the ball.

Dameury Pena, 2B, Twins

Pena absolutely raked in the DSL in 2023, finishing with a .382/.453/.496 line over the course of 39 games. He fell just short of qualifying for the league’s batting leaderboard but would have placed second if he had. Evaluators saw a manipulatable swing that helped him generate tons of contact and very few whiffs. His power might never be better than below-average, but if he reaches his ceiling as a plus hitter, that will suffice. Pena needs lots of work defensively, as his range and hands are not where they need to be just yet. With further development, he could be a bat-first second baseman.

Yoeilin Cespedes, SS, Red Sox

After just one season, Cespedes already finds himself among Boston’s Top 10 prospects. Hitting .346/.392/.560 with 15 doubles and six home runs will do that for a player. Cespedes is an immensely talented prospect who showed both contact and impact in the DSL in 2023. Both his hit and power tools project as above-average. The righthanded hitter is a shortstop now but should slide to either second or third base as he matures and adds strength to his frame. No matter where he winds up on the diamond, Cespedes has the tools to make a big-time impact in the batter’s box.