Two Prized Phillies Prospects Earn Promotions

Plus: River Ryan enjoys a sterling MLB debut and Walker Martin goes deep again

A slower slate of prospect action across the minors yesterday, but Starlyn Caba and Eduardo Tait are set for full-season ball, plus we think River Ryan might’ve earned himself a longer look in the Dodgers’ rotation. As always, you can see full stats for all Top 30 Prospects in our Prospect Wire, presented by Louisville Slugger.

Prospect Standouts

Walker Martin, SS, Giants: Martin went 1-for-3 with a home run on Monday in the ACL, hitting his fourth home run of the month and sixth overall. Martin’s recent power spike has been encouraging, but the 2023 second-round pick is also striking out 38% of the time, which helps explain why he’s one of only three high school position players picked in the top 100 picks in 2023 who are still playing at a complex league.

River Ryan, RHP, Dodgers: The Dodgers have used 15 different starting pitchers this season. The 15th, rookie River Ryan, looks like he’s ready to settle in for more than just a spot start. The 25-year-old allowed one unearned run in 5.1 innings in his MLB debut. The only run he allowed came on a Will Smith passed ball. Ryan sat at 96 mph with his fastball and touched 98. He was an astute spring training trade acquisition of the Dodgers in 2022, as L.A. sent first baseman Matt Beaty to the Padres. Beaty hit .093 in 20 games with San Diego before being outrighted off the 40-man roster. Ryan looks to be a Dodger for years to come.

Starlyn Caba, SS & Eduardo Tait, C, Phillies: Two of the Phillies’ best young prospects are moving up. After making their marks in the Florida Complex League, Caba and Tait are gathering their gear and moving across the street to Low-A Clearwater.

Caba is a potentially elite defender at shortstop who has wowed scouts all summer long with a level of defensive play rarely seen from a player so young. He’s also shown a bat geared for line drives and enough quickness to turn singles into a doubles and doubles into triples. That same speed has also helped him swipe 37 bases in 45 chances.

Tait burst onto the prospect radar last summer with a strong showing in the Dominican Summer League which ended with him mashing a dozen doubles and three home runs as part of a .917 OPS. He didn’t miss a beat in the FCL, where he finished with 13 doubles and six home runs in 51 games.

There’s a little bit of concern that Tait will outgrow catcher, but there’s little doubt that his smooth, balanced, powerful swing will play as he climbs the ladder and give him the potential to be an offensive force in the big leagues.

THERE’S THAT NAME AGAIN…

Want to get ahead? Each day we’ll surface one prospect from recent Baseball America coverage who could be on the rise.

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

Jesus Made, SS, Brewers: Although he got just one at-bat in last Sunday’s Dominican Summer League all-star game, Made’s reviews from scouts are incredibly loud. The 17-year-old has excellent bat speed, above-average raw power, bat-to-ball skills and a knack for finding the barrel that belies his age. He’s a plus runner and has arm strength that borders on double-plus. If his body fills out too much, he might shift over to third base, where his arm strength and offensive skills would easily profile. His footspeed might fit in center field. Any potential change is years down the line. For now, Made fits as one of Milwaukee’s finest young prospects.

In case you missed it…

Josh Norris was onsite for the 2024 Dominican Summer League All-Star Game.