The catcher’s skills were acknowledged on a top-five catching prospect list.
All eyes are on the Dodger’s No. 1 overall prospect, Diego Cartaya, this season. The 21-year-old has garnered attention from teammates, prospect hounds, and even LA’s general manager Brandon Gomes.
As a result of his early success, Cartaya made The Athletic’s top-five catching prospect list where Jim Bowden highlighted the young player’s talents.
“Diego’s combination of at-bat quality and ability to do damage is exciting. What’s equally impressive is the way he handles a pitching staff and navigates a game behind the plate. He possesses true leadership qualities and makes those around him better.”
Former Dodger backstop and manager, Brandon Gomes offered his own praise on Cartaya.
“In my view, Cartaya is the best catching prospect in the sport. Signed as an amateur out of Venezuela in 2018 for $2.5 million, Cartaya is certainly living up to that bonus. He’s an above-average hitter who knows how to work a count. He uses the whole field, with strong opposite-field power. (Overall, he has 20- to 25-home run power.) He’s an above-average defensive receiver with a plus-plus throwing arm. I’ve mentioned this conversation before, but it bears repeating: When I talked to former manager Mike Scioscia during the Futures Game last July at Dodger Stadium, he compared Cartaya to a cross between Buster Posey and Salvador Perez. Keep in mind Perez has five Gold Gloves, four Silver Slugger awards, seven All-Star appearances, and he won a world championship. Posey won a Rookie of the Year Award, an MVP, five Silver Slugger honors, a Gold Glove and three World Series. Not bad company. For Scioscia, a former All-Star catcher who played 13 years in the majors and managed for another 19 years, to make that type of comparison was eye-opening. Based on what I’ve seen, I might not go that far, but I did rank Cartaya as the third-best prospect in baseball last August.”
Cartaya has already developed his game on both the offensive and defensive end and will aim to sharpen his skills for the big leagues. During the 2022 season, the catcher hit .254 across High-A and Single-A, with 22 home runs and 72 RBIs.
The young prospect has a promising future ahead of him as he continues to work his way to a major league debut.
