Top 20 Florida Complex League Prospects For 2024

If you’re looking to catch a rising star, there’s no better place to start than the complex leagues. In Arizona, Florida and the Dominican Republic, the sport’s next big things take their first steps toward the big leagues.

Things were a little different this year. Instead of beginning in the middle of the summer, the domestic complex leagues started their seasons in early May, just a short time after the conclusion of spring training. Both leagues concluded in mid July, with the Dodgers and Tigers taking the respective crowns in Arizona and Florida.

Here, we present BA’s annual list of the best prospects in those leagues. This installment features the best the FCL had to offer. The list is filled with prospects from the Phillies, Red Sox and Rays. Those three clubs landed three shortstops on the list, including No. 1 prospect Starlyn Caba , the Phillies’ elite gloveman with immense upside.

The Yankees and Pirates also landed multiple prospects in this year’s rankings.

Last year’s Top 20 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 . On the bright side, Blue Jays righthander Fernando Perez represented his club in this year’s Futures Game.

Two years ago, when the list only went 10 deep , the league was bursting with talent. That list has produced three Top 100 prospects—Rays infielder Junior Caminero , Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo and Pirates righthander Bubba Chandler .

Now, take a look at the 20 best prospects the 2024 FCL had to offer.

1. Starlyn Caba , SS, Phillies

Age: 18 B-T: B-R Ht: 5-9 Wt: 160 Acquired: 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 after just 38 games. He moved stateside this year and continued to open the eyes of evaluators in Florida. The first thing that stands out is Caba’s glove, which has to be a true 80 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. He’s a lithe athlete who can range quickly and smoothly to all directions and make all the throws necessary to stick at the position. 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 who wins 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 Acquired: Venezuela, 2022

Boston signed Arias in Jan. 2023 as a 17-year-old out of Venezuela. He put forth a solid pro debut in the Dominican Summer League that year, then really ratcheted up his game after moving stateside. He began opening eyes as early as minor league spring training, then carried that momentum into the regular season. He finished the FCL campaign with a .355/.471/.584 line which led the league in all three triple-slash categories. He’s a smooth, athletic defender who can make all the plays up the middle thanks to an above-average arm that allows him to make throws from all angles.

3. Brailer Guerrero , OF, Rays

Age: 18 B-T: L-R Ht: 6-1 Wt: 215 Acquired: Dominican Republic, 2023

Guerrero’s combination of talent and poor injury luck is a near-perfect analog to Mariners prospect Felnin Celesten. Both players have immensely high ceilings and outstanding tool sets, but neither can stay on the field. After playing just seven games in the DSL last season, injuries limited his U.S. debut to just 28 games. When he was on the field, he was outstanding. Scouts reported a player with a chance to have plus grades for both his hit and his power thanks to an advanced approach, big-time strength and a feel for the barrel. He’s decent in center field for now, but he’s likely to move to right field one day. His plus arm strength would fit just fine there.

4. Yoeilin Cespedes , SS, Red Sox

Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht: 5-8 Wt: 181 Acquired: Dominican Republic, 2023

Cespedes was one of the highest-profile names in the FCL until he earned a promotion to Low-A Salem on June 25. At the time of the move, he was hitting .319/.400/.605 with five home runs among his 16 extra-base hits. He never got into a game with his new club thanks to soreness that was later diagnosed as a broken hamate bone in his left hand. When healthy, scouts saw a player with big-time bat speed and strong bat-to-ball skills, though there was some concern about the quality of his swing decisions. If he can improve in that area, he has a shot to be a plus hitter with plus power. Those same scouts are less bullish on his chances to stick at shortstop, especially considering he appears to have already thickened up considerably since his amateur days. If he has to move, his bat would likely play at any spot on the diamond.

5. Eduardo Tait , C, Phillies

Age: 17 B-T: L-R Ht: 6-0 Wt: 175 Acquired: Panama, 2023

Starlyn Caba got the headlines in the Phillies’ 2023-24 international class, but Tait put himself on the map with a strong turn in the Dominican Summer League as one of the circuit’s youngest players. He advanced to the FCL in 2024 and just kept mashing. The lefty slugger puts charges into pitches with surprising ease thanks to a swing that is smooth, quick and balanced. He can lose baseballs with a simple flick of the wrist. Once he abandoned the pull-heavy approach he showed in the early portion of the season, he started to take off. He’s a bigger-bodied catcher who has plenty of arm strength and strong on-field makeup, but he’ll have to monitor his body in order to stick at catcher. No matter where he lands, his bat should be an asset.

6. Trevor Harrison , RHP, Rays

Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-4 Wt: 225 Acquired: HS—New Port Richey, Fla., 2023 (5th round)

The Rays’ ability to find pitching gems remains among the best in the game. Harrison could be their latest find. The former Florida State commit is a massive human with the stuff to match. He carved hitters in the FCL before earning a promotion to Low-A on July 4. Harrison works primarily with four pitches: a four-seamer that has touched 99 mph, as well as a slider, cutter and changeup. All four pitches have the potential to be weapons, and his changeup is particularly dastardly for someone so early in his pro career. Harrison’s stuff and remaining projection give him a very high ceiling.

7. Andres Valor , OF, Marlins

Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-3 Wt: 180 Acquired: Venezuela, 2023

After signing in 2023, Valor was one of the better prospects on Miami’s DSL clubs. He showed off in the States this year, too, first in the Spring Breakout series and then again during the FCL season. Valor is lithe and athletic and has speed that borders on double-plus, which gives him a great chance to stick in center field as he matures. If he does, he could be above-average at the position. Valor has plenty of strength and bat speed, which scouts believe should lead to plenty of power as he develops. He will have to do a better job of laying off of breaking pitches as he moves up the ladder, but he’s got plenty of time to close that hole. If he reaches his ceiling, he has the chance to be a standout center fielder with a wealth of skills on both sides of the ball.

8. Juan Valera , RHP, Red Sox

Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-3 Wt: 205 Acquired: Dominican Republic, 2023

Valera signed with Boston in April 2023 and began his career with a nondescript season in the Dominican Summer League. After moving to the U.S., however, his fortunes have turned and he dominated the competition in the FCL. Valera is a projectable righty with a powerful mix led by an upper-90s fastball and a slider that he can throw with two distinct shapes. He has an inconsistent changeup as well, though his other two pitches have been so effective that it’s rarely been needed. The fastball-slider combination gives Valera the floor of a late-inning reliever, but the changeup coming forth would significantly raise his ceiling.

9. Franyerber Montilla , SS, Tigers

Age: 19 B-T: B-R Ht: 6-0 Wt: 160 Acquired: Venezuela, 2022

Montilla was one of the last players to sign as part of the Tigers’ international class in 2022, and he’s paid big dividends so far. Though he moved around the infield a bit, he has the chops necessary to stick at shortstop thanks to strong instincts and range, soft hands and a sound internal clock. His arm strength is enough for the position, though he needs to tighten his accuracy a bit. Montilla shows an advanced approach as well and does a good job sticking within the strike zone. He has excellent barrel accuracy, and should grow into further power as he matures.

10. Edgleen Perez , C, Yankees

Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht: 5-10 Wt: 155 Acquired: Venezuela, 2023

Perez signed with the Yankees in 2023 out of Venezuela and made his debut in the Dominican Summer League, where he showed solid bat-to-ball skills but little in the way of power. He moved stateside this year and raised his profile thanks to an intriguing all-around skill set led by some of the best defensive attributes in the system. At the plate, he’s got excellent bat-to-ball skills, hits the ball plenty hard and almost never misses, especially on pitches in the zone. He should have a hit-over-power profile as he ascends the minor leagues. Perez is a flexible, agile defender who should be at least an average catcher with above-average arm strength that regularly produces pop times of under 2.0 seconds.

11. Aroon Escobar , 2B, Phillies

Age: 19 B-T: R-R Ht. : 5-10 Wt: 180 Acquired : Venezuela, 2022

After the Phillies signed him out of Venezuela in 2022, Escobar put together a pair of nondescript seasons in the FCL. This season, things changed and he showed a solid blend of tools and skills before shin splints ended his season on June 8. When he was on the field, Escobar did an outstanding job putting the bat on the ball and displayed plus bat speed and a sound knowledge of the strike zone. He finished with far more walks (21) than strikeouts (10) and had overall miss and chase rates of below 20%. He showed excellent range before the injury, which could keep him up the middle, and a strong enough arm to help him at third base if his body forces a move as he matures.

12. Zander Mueth , RHP, Pirates

Age: 19 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-6 Wt: 205 Acquired: HS—Belleville, Ill., 2023 (2nd supp. round)

The Pirates’ pitching prowess is as strong as any in the game, and Mueth might be their next success story. Pittsburgh plucked the tall, projectable righty from high school in Illinois and let him embark on his pro career this season. Mueth delivers from a lower slot and works primarily with three pitches: A two-seamer that has peaked at 97 mph, slicing slider and a changeup. Combined, the trio gives him a solid east-west mix. Both of his offspeed pitches came in at almost exactly 85 mph and induced miss rates of roughly 41%. He can manipulate the shape of the slider, and the changeup will flash hard dropping action. There are concerns about the long-term repeatability of his arm action, which scouts believe could limit him to a reliever’s role. Those highest on him think he might settle in as a rotation piece.

13. Jhonny Severino , SS, Pirates

Age: 19 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-2 Wt: 185 Acquired: Trade, Milwaukee (2023)

Severino was one of the Brewers’ top signings in the international period that opened on Jan. 15, 2022. A year later, they dealt him to Pittsburgh in the deal that sent Carlos Santana to Milwaukee. This season, he showed enough impact to rank among the FCL’s leaders in the league’s power categories, including a circuit-best 103 total bases. He’s got solid bat-to-ball skills and has posted a 90th percentile exit velocity of roughly 101 mph, giving him a chance to earn average grades for both hit and power. He has arm strength that borders on plus, though scouts believe he’s more likely to wind up at third base, where he spent about half his time in the FCL. If that’s his future home, his arm and offensive tools would make for a smooth transition.

14. Jeremy Rodriguez , SS, Mets

Age: 18 B-T: L-R Ht: 6-0 Wt: 170 Acquired: Trade, 2023 (D-backs)

After being signed by the Diamondbacks in 2023, Rodriguez was traded to the Mets in the deal that sent outfielder Tommy Pham to Arizona. He moved stateside this year and showed intriguing upside, albeit with some warts. None of his tools stands out, and he’s likely to be a hit-over-power player thanks to a feel for the barrel without standout strength. There’s some pull-side juice, but he’s likely to rack up singles and doubles. Scouts are split defensively on whether Rodriguez will wind up at shortstop or second base, with just average range and fair arm strength as factors that might push him to the right side of the infield.

15. Yasser Mercedes , OF, Twins

Age: 19 B-T: R-R Ht : 6-1 Wt: 175 Acquired: Puerto Rico, 2022

Mercedes signed in 2022, then laid waste to the Dominican Summer League in his pro debut. He struggled after moving stateside in 2023, leading to a repeat of the level this season. This time, he dominated. His average (.331) and on-base (.421) and slugging percentages (.568) each ranked among the league’s top 10. His 18 doubles and 26 extra-base hits led the league. Mercedes is a powerfully built outfielder whose balanced swing should produce the thump required for a classic corner-outfield masher. Scouts noticed that he simplified his swing this season, and the next step is to make better swing decisions. Mercedes’ average speed and outstanding arm strength also point to an eventual future in right field.

16. John Gil , SS, Braves

Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-1 Wt: 175. Acquired: Dominican Republic, 2023

Gil was signed in 2023 as a sleeper in the international class headlined by Luis Guanipa. He wasn’t the most tooled-up player in the league, but the sum of his parts makes him an attractive, up-arrow prospect. He does a good job putting the bat on the ball and rarely strays from the strike zone, leading to a player who projects to have a 55-grade hit tool. He hits the ball decently hard, too, and scouts see him having fringe-average power. He’s a plus runner with above-average arm strength. His athleticism and strength help amplify his skills on both sides of the ball, and he should be able to stick on the left side of the infield. Whether that’s at shortstop or third base—where he got a little bit of exposure this season—remains to be seen.

17. Engelth Ureña , C, Yankees

Age: 19 B-T: R-R Ht : 5-11 Wt: 196 Acquired: Dominican Republic, 2022

For two years, the Yankees have been waiting for Ureña to return to health and unleash his full potential. In 2024, they got their wish. After playing just 11 games over his first years as a pro—including a 2023 season completely wiped out by injuries–Ureña spent 2024 as one of the best hitters in the FCL. He finished the year third in the league in both home runs (8) and slugging percentage (.564) and had more walks (24) than strikeouts (19). He also kept his miss and chase rates below 20%. There are plenty of questions about whether he’ll stick behind the plate because of his injury history, as well as below-average blocking and receiving and an arm that is plenty strong but not as accurate as would be desired. Scouts who have seen him at first base have their doubts that he can stick there, putting immense pressure on his bat to carry the bulk of his value as he moves up the ladder.

18. Sabier Marte , RHP, Yankees

Age: 20 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-5 Wt: 167 Acquired: Dominican Republic, 2022

Marte signed with the Yankees in May 2022, just more than four months after that year’s international period opened. He spent the next two seasons in the Dominican Summer League before moving stateside this year. In the FCL, the towering righthander showed a mix of stuff and projectability that piqued scouts’ interest. Marte—whose .204 opponents average and 1.10 WHIP led the league—led his arsenal with a fastball that sat around 93 mph and backed it with a slider and changeup in the low 80s that he used nearly equally. Both offspeed pitches have a chance to be average offerings, and he showed solid control of his entire mix. He has remaining projection as well, so his stuff could take a jump in the coming years. Marte fits toward the back of a rotation with upside for more depending on how his body develops.

19. Miguel Rodriguez , C, Orioles

Age: 18 B-T: R-R Ht: 5-11 Wt: 160 Acquired: Venezuela, 2023

Rodriguez signed out of Venezuela in 2023 then put together a solid pro debut in the Dominican Summer League. He followed it up this season with a strong year in the FCL, where his .308 average was good for eighth in the league. He has exemplary bat-to-ball skills, as shown by respective overall and zone-miss rates of 10.7% and 7.7%. His chase rate of 17.4% was also excellent. Scouts highest on Rodriguez see a potentially above-average hitter with sneaky pull-side power. He has a decent chance to stick behind the plate, too, but he’ll need to monitor his conditioning as he matures.

20. Nelfy Ynfante , RHP, Cardinals

Age: 19 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-3 Wt : 168 Acquired: Dominican Republic, 2022

Ynfante signed with the Cardinals in 2022, then spent his first two professional seasons in the Dominican Summer League before moving to the U.S. this season. Performance-wise, he was one of the best arms in the league, leading the FCL in strikeouts (62) and innings pitched (52) while placing third in ERA (3.29) and fourth in WHIP (1.29). The projectable righthander could stand to firm up his body a bit, but he has a three-pitch mix that he sequences well and overall has a solid feel to pitch. His fastball averages around 93 mph and tops at 96, and he backs it with a slider and a changeup. The former pitch is the better of the two but could stand from a bit more velocity. Scouts also would like to see him better utilize the outer half of the plate.

The post Top 20 Florida Complex League Prospects For 2024 appeared first on College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball America .