Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Arm: 45 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Cerda was born in the Bronx but signed out of the Dominican Republic when he joined the Rays' system for $325,000 in July 2019. He debuted in the Dominican Summer League in 2021 due to the pandemic and was in the midst of his first stateside campaign in 2022 when the Rays dealt him to the D-backs for outfielder David Peralta at the Trade Deadline. Finally in full-season ball last year, Cerda slashed .247/.402/.397 with 11 homers over 108 games between Single-A and High-A. His 93 walks ranked second among all Minor League catchers, trailing only Harry Ford's 103.

That knowledge of the strike zone and unwillingness to expand it remain Cerda's best offensive attributes. The right-handed slugger starts with his lead leg slightly open from a hunched-over position but he drags the toe into place instead of incorporating a leg kick. The muted movement keeps him seeing the ball well and allows the free passes to pile up. When he does make contact, Cerda tends to hit the ball in the air with an uppercut swing; his 44.4 fly-ball percentage was second-highest among Arizona full-season qualifiers. There's enough raw power, too, that he should challenge for double-digit homers over a full year.

Through his background, Cerda is bilingual, and he earns strong reviews for his ability to work with a pitching staff. He still has some room to grow with blocking and receiving, but the pieces are there for at least an average Major League defensive backstop. Cerda has arm strength, but a lack of accuracy helped opposing runners steal 139 bags off him in 2023. Despite being left off Arizona's 40-man when he became Rule 5-eligible in 2024, Cerda is trending upward and could serve as an adequate backup in The Show in time.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Born in the Bronx, Cerda signed with the Rays for $325,000 out of the Dominican Republic at the start of the 2019-20 international window that July 2. His first season was wiped out by the pandemic, and after a decent showing in the Dominican Summer League in 2021, he jumped stateside a year later and was hitting .315/.464/.519 with a 21.7 percent walk rate through 20 games in the Florida Complex League when Tampa Bay dealt him to the D-backs for David Peralta on July 30, 2022. Cerda has produced at both Single-A Visalia and High-A Hillsboro in his age-20 season, putting himself firmly on the radar in a deep Arizona system. 

Cerda has already grabbed the D-backs' attentions with his impressive plate discipline, having posted walk rates above 15 percent everywhere he's gone, including the Northwest League entering early August. He bats from the right side from an open stance and bent over a little at the waist but can do a good job of staying back on balls from the relaxed position. His OBP will likely stick out more than his average as he climbs because, while there's good raw power here, the impact is trending more toward below-average. That's still a skill that can translate well level-to-level, as Cerda has already proved.

The young backstop's defense remains a work in progress in his first full season, and he remains raw in terms of blocking and receiving. His arm strength will likely remain below-average too, so he'll need the other aspects of the glovework to catch up if he's going to be an everyday catcher. The early approach certainly gives him a chance after one full year in the Arizona pipeline.

Awards

NWL Player of the Week

Week	Team
08/04/2024

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/23/2024	C Christian Cerda assigned to Amarillo Sod Poodles from Hillsboro Hops.
	08/23/2024	Amarillo Sod Poodles activated C Christian Cerda.
	03/07/2024	Arizona D-backs Prospects activated C Christian Cerda.
	03/05/2024	C Christian Cerda assigned to Arizona Diamondbacks.
	10/25/2023	Estrellas Orientales activated C Christian Cerda.
	10/25/2023	C Christian Cerda assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
	07/13/2023	C Christian Cerda assigned to Hillsboro Hops from Visalia Rawhide.
	04/03/2023	C Christian Cerda assigned to Visalia Rawhide from ACL D-backs Black.
	02/27/2023	C Christian Cerda and assigned to Arizona Diamondbacks.
	08/02/2022	C Christian Cerda assigned to ACL D-backs Black from ACL D-backs Red.
	08/01/2022	C Christian Cerda assigned to ACL D-backs Red.
	07/30/2022	Arizona Diamondbacks traded LF David Peralta to Tampa Bay Rays for C Christian Cerda.
	06/05/2022	C Christian Cerda assigned to FCL Rays.
	04/04/2022	C Christian Cerda and assigned to Tampa Bay Rays.
	07/09/2021	C Christian Cerda assigned to DSL Rays1.
	07/02/2019	Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent C Christian Cerda to a minor league contract.