Prospering Phillies Prospects Draw Trade Interest
Many of the Philadelphia Phillies’ top prospects have been excelling so far in the 2024 season. Following the recent promotion of No. 3 prospect Justin Crawford to Double-A Reading, two more top 10 Phillies prospects have also advanced.
As first reported by MiLB Central’s Chase Ford on Monday, Starlyn Caba and Eduardo Tait have moved up to Single-A Clearwater after impressive performances with the FCL Phillies in the Rookie League.
Phillies Promote Pair of Top Prospects, Sparking Trade Interest
This development could be seen as both good and bad news for the Phillies. The positive aspect is that the Phillies’ minor league system is effectively developing elite young talent. The downside is that the better these prospects perform, the more they become attractive trade assets as the deadline approaches. This is exactly the case for Caba and Tait, who have recently drawn interest from multiple teams in trade discussions, according to Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports.
Caba, the Phillies’ No. 4 prospect, had a strong season with the FCL Phillies. In 52 games, he posted a .254 batting average with a .762 OPS, 44 runs scored, six doubles, two home runs, and 17 RBIs. The 18-year-old shortstop also excelled on the basepaths, stealing 37 bases in 45 attempts and displaying strong plate discipline with 51 walks and 34 strikeouts.
Tait, the Phillies’ No. 8 prospect, also had an outstanding season with the FCL Phillies. The 17-year-old catcher batted .321 with an .877 OPS, 13 doubles, six home runs, and 49 RBIs in 51 games. He also went 5-for-5 in stolen bases.
While it would be tough for the Phillies to part with such promising young talent, they may need to consider moving some of them to acquire the necessary upgrades for their playoff push. With their intention to retain top-tier prospects like Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford, and possibly Mick Abel, Caba and Tait might become trade chips to bolster the Phillies’ roster.