Marlins SS of the future? Caba making up for lost time in the Arizona Fall League

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Starlyn Caba is one of the top defensive prospects in the Minors and some evaluators believe that he's the best, giving him top-of-the-scale 80 grades. He's a smooth shortstop with plenty of range to both sides, solid arm strength and an advanced internal clock, especially for a teenager.

Caba didn't get much of a chance to show off his glovework this season because he sprained his left thumb sliding into second base in mid-April, sidelining him for two months. He's making up for lost time by playing in the Arizona Fall League with the Mesa Solar Sox.

Caba, the Marlins' No. 5 prospect, said that his defensive prowess always has come easily to him.

"Playing shortstop is natural for me," he said through translator Analis Castro. "I'm very grateful to be one of the best shortstops in the Minor Leagues. I think being so small helps my defense and it's one of my natural talents. I'm working on it to make sure that I get stronger and can perform better."

Listed at 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, Caba is built more to win Gold Gloves than Silver Sluggers. He led the Rookie-level Florida Complex League in walks (51), runs (44) and steals (37) in 52 games in 2024 but hasn't fared as well in Single-A the last two seasons. He has slashed .208/.325/.249 with 27 swipes in 77 games at that level, albeit with more walks (50) than strikeouts (49).

Caba understands that his offensive role is to get on base and try to make things happen once he does.

"I truly enjoy stealing bases," he said. "Obviously I know I'm not a power hitter, but I am quick and I am fast."

Besides dealing with his thumb injury, Caba also had to adjust to a new organization this season. The Phillies originally signed him out of the Dominican Republic in 2023 for $3 million, then traded him to the Marlins last December along with speedster Emaarion Boyd to acquire Jesús Luzardo. While Luzardo won 15 games for the National League East champions, Caba looks like Miami's shortstop of the future.

"It definitely caught me by surprise when I was traded," Caba said. "I was at home when I found out. And when they told me that I was going to the Marlins, I wasn't expecting that. But I'm glad to be here."

Marlins hitters in the Fall League

P.J. Morlando, OF (No. 14): A 2024 first-rounder from a South Carolina high school, Morlando dealt with left elbow and hamstring injuries this year but the Marlins believe in his hitting ability and power potential. He batted .226/.361/.353 with five homers in 52 Single-A games.

Fenwick Trimble, OF (No. 26): The Marlins went hunting for bat-to-ball skills in the 2024 Draft and took Trimble in the fourth round out of James Madison. He has solid on-base ability and speed, and he slashed .253/.372/.402 with seven homers and 31 steals in 84 games while reaching Double-A in his first full pro season. He missed two months with a hamstring injury.

Marlins pitchers in the Fall League

Karson Milbrandt, RHP (No. 18): Signed for an over-slot $1,497,500 as a 2022 third-rounder from a Missouri high school, Milbrandt owns a high-spin fastball that touches 99 mph and has developed a solid low-80s curveball to back it up. He logged a 3.00 ERA, .203 opponent average and 113 strikeouts in 90 innings while climbing from Single-A to Double-A.

Holt Jones, RHP: Jones is a 6-foot-8 reliever with a mid-90s fastball that touches 98 and a mid-80s slider. Selected in the 14th round out of Kentucky in 2021, he compiled a 4.75 ERA with 62 strikeouts but also 42 walks in 47 1/3 innings in High-A.

Aiden May, RHP: A 2024 supplemental second-rounder out of Oregon State, May had arthroscopic elbow surgery in March, delaying his pro debut until July. He recorded a 3.05 ERA, .164 average-against and 20 strikeouts over 20 2/3 Single-A innings, displaying a 93-95 mph sinker and a low-80s slider that grades as a plus pitch at its best.

Darwin Rodriguez, RHP: Rodriguez had the raw power and arm strength to profile as an intriguing right fielder, but the Marlins moved him to mound full-time after signing him for $50,000 out of Venezuela in 2022. Recovering from an elbow sprain, he made just four appearances in Single-A this summer, maxing out at 96 mph with his fastball and generating high spin rates on a low-80s curveball.

Jack Sellinger, LHP: Sellinger has destroyed lower-level hitters -- both lefties and righties -- with a mid-80s slider with depth, setting it up with a low-90s fastball. The 14th-rounder in 2023 out of Nevada-Las Vegas logged a 2.30 ERA, .170 opponent average and 89 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings between High-A and Double-A.