FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10

Last year’s Florida Complex League prospect crop has been beset by lengthy injuries to many of its top players, including Yankees pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange, Mets infielder Marco Vargas and Red Sox catcher Johanfran Garcia.

- JOSH NORRIS

On the bright side, Blue Jays righthander Fernando Perez earned a spot in this year’s Futures Game.

Go back two years, and the 2022 FCL group is thriving. It contains three Top 100 Prospects in Junior Caminero, Samuel Basallo and Bubba Chandler.

Now, let’s take a look at what the 2024 FCL had to offer.

1. STARLYN CABA SS, PHILLIES

Age: 18. B-T: B-R. HT: 5-9. WT: 160. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2023.

Caba signed with the Phillies in January 2023 and made a quick first impression in the Dominican Summer League before an injury ended his season. He moved stateside this year and continued to open evaluators’ eyes in Florida. The first thing that stands out is Caba’s glove, which has the potential to be a true 80 on the 20-to80 scouting scale. He’s a lithe athlete who can range quickly and smoothly to all directions and make every throw. At the plate, he’s more contact than impact and might be a little too passive at this point. He finished the FCL season with more walks (51) than strikeouts (34) and led the league with 37 stolen bases. His defense should give him the floor of an everyday shortstop with the potential to win multiple Gold Gloves, while his offense would fit nicely at the top of an order.

2. FRANKLIN ARIAS SS, RED SOX

Age: 18. B-T: R-R. HT: 5-11. WT: 170.

Signed: Venezuela, 2023.