Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

MLB Pipeline's top-rated amateur prospect in the 2018 international class, Cartaya signed for $2.5 million out of Venezuela while garnering Salvador Perez comparisons for his tools and large frame. After winning Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year honors in 2022 after posting an .892 OPS with 22 homers between two Class A stops at age 20, he seemed poised to succeed the graduating Francisco Alvarez as the best catching prospect in baseball. He struggled through a difficult year in Double-A instead, slashing .189/.278/.379 before spending the final three weeks on the development list. 

Cartaya has plenty of strength and leverage in his 6-foot-3 frame, as well as a quick right-handed stroke, so he still managed to slam 19 homers in 93 Double-A games. But his swing got way too long as he tried to launch every pitch he saw to his pull side, leading to disastrous results. He repeatedly chased pitches out the zone and was easily fooled by breaking balls and changeups, leading to concerns about his hitting ability if he doesn't overhaul his approach. 

On the positive side, Cartaya did improve defensively last season. Handling one of the best pitching staffs in the Minors, he made progress with his receiving, framing and blocking, and he should become a solid or better defender. He features at least plus arm strength, though he needs to improve his accuracy, and he earns praise for his game-planning, leadership skills and overall makeup. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 35 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

MLB Pipeline's top-rated amateur in the 2018 international class, Cartaya has lived up to that billing and his $2.5 million bonus. The Venezuelan made his U.S. debut at age 17 and posted an .892 OPS with 22 homers as a 20-year-old in Single-A and High-A last season, when he played in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game and earned Dodgers Minor League player of the year honors. He's often compared to Salvador Perez because of his tools and large frame. 

Cartaya is built to hit for power with a quick right-handed stroke and the strength and leverage in his 6-foot-3, 219-pound frame. He has good feel for launching balls in the air to his pull side, though his pop plays to all parts of the ballpark and he did a better job of using the opposite field in 2022. His offensive game has regressed in 2023, however, as Double-A pitchers have exploited his swing-and-miss tendencies and he has struggled to do damage against non-fastballs.

While Cartaya has the ingredients to stand out on defense as well, that part of his game needs more polish. Though his arm strength earns well above-average grades from some scouts, he threw out just 19 percent of basestealers last season, and his receiving, framing and blocking are works in progress as well. Besides his physical ability, he also draws praise for his game-planning, communication and leadership skills, and his overall makeup. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 35 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 60

MLB Pipeline's top-rated amateur in the 2018 international class, Cartaya signed out of Venezuela for $2.5 million. He made his U.S. debut at age 17 in 2019 and excelled as a 19-year-old in Low-A last summer, batting .298/.409/.614 in 31 games before a hamstring injury and back issues ended his season in mid-July. Compared to Salvador Perez because of his size and profile, he possibly could reach Los Angeles before he turns 22. 

A more advanced hitter than Perez was at the same stage of their careers, Cartaya recognizes pitches and works counts well while making repeated hard contact from the right side of the plate. His combination of bat speed and strength give him legitimate power to all fields. The Dodgers have worked with him to pull the ball with authority and he has made that adjustment well, though he now could stand to use the opposite field more often. 

Though he's big and physical and possesses well below-average speed, Cartaya is agile behind the plate. He has the soft hands and strong arm to become a solid receiver and control the running game, though he needs more polish after committing 11 passed balls and throwing out just 20 percent of basestealers last year. Club officials praise his maturity, leadership and baseball IQ, and he's making strides with his game-calling. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 35 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55 

The Dodgers have signed the best prospect out of Venezuela in each of the last three international classes, starting with Cartaya for $2.5 million in 2018, when MLB Pipeline rated him as the top international amateur. He made his U.S. debut at age 17 in 2019 and spent last year as one of the youngest players at any club's alternate site. He got exposure to hitting and receiving upper-level pitchers earlier than he would have in a normal season, and also participated in instructional league during the fall. 

Cartaya demonstrates advanced feel for hitting and strike-zone awareness for a teenager. He has a good approach and focuses on making hard contact to all fields from the right side of the plate. After making some adjustments to allow him to pull the ball with more authority, he has displayed at least solid power while making a strong debut in Low-A as a 19-year-old this year.

Often compared to Salvador Perez because of his size and profile, Cartaya moves well behind the plate and has the soft hands to become at least a solid receiver. He also has the plus arm strength and throwing accuracy to control the running game. He earns kudos for his maturity and already shows promise with his game-calling and leadership. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 35 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50 

MLB Pipeline's top-rated prospect in the 2018 international class, Cartaya added to Los Angeles' impressive group of young catching talent when he signed for $2.5 million out of Venezuela. Often compared to Salvador Perez, he emulated the perennial All-Star and Gold Glover by making his U.S. debut at age 17 last summer. He's not as famous as fellow Dodgers farmhand Keibert Ruiz, but he has similar tools with perhaps more power and arm strength.

A right-handed hitter, Cartaya has more feel for the barrel and better strike-zone awareness than most players his age. Though he presently focuses on making hard contact and using the entire field, his bat speed and strength create at least solid raw power. He already does a nice job of driving the ball in the air and once he starts to turn on more pitches, he could provide 15-20 homers on an annual basis.

Tall for a catcher yet agile, Cartaya moves well behind the plate and should develop into at least a solid receiver. His plus arm strength and his throwing accuracy should allow him to keep the running game in check. Mature beyond his years, he also shows promise as a game-caller and a leader.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 35 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

The Dodgers have more catching depth than any farm system, and they added to it last July when they landed MLB Pipeline's top-rated international amateur in the 2018 class. They signed Cartaya for $2.5 million out of Venezuela, banking on his potential to contribute on both sides of the ball coupled with strong makeup. He draws repeated Salvador Perez comparisons and like the perennial All-Star and Gold Glover, Cartaya was advanced enough to make his U.S. debut at 17.

Though he's taller than most catchers, Cartaya is agile and moves well behind the plate. He already shows advanced receiving ability for a teenager and should fit in well in an organization that prioritizes framing skills. He also has a strong arm and makes accurate throws.

Cartaya's feel for barrel and the strike zone stands out for such a young player. He recognizes pitches well and is willing to use the opposite field, emphasizing making hard contact over selling out for power. As he learns to turn on pitches and use his lower half more in his right-handed swing, he could produce 15 or more homers per year.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 35 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

MLB Pipeline's top-rated prospect on the international amateur market for 2018-19, Cartaya signed for $2.5 million out of Venezuela in July. His addition bolstered an already strong collection of Dodgers catching prospects that ranks as the best in baseball. He won't make his pro debut until 2019 but is advanced enough to come to the United States at age 17 when he does.

Cartaya draws repeated Salvador Perez comparisons because of his large frame, defensive ability and strong makeup. He moves well for a tall guy behind the plate and demonstrates advanced receiving skills for his age. He has the arm strength and accuracy to keep the running game in check.

One way in which he differs from Perez is that Cartaya's hitting stands out more than his power. He understands the strike zone and recognizes pitches better than most teenagers, and he shows a willingness to use the opposite field. He has mostly gap power at present but could develop into a 15-homer threat as he gets stronger and turns on more pitches.

Awards

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2022

Futures Game Selection

Year	Team
2022

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/04/2024	Los Angeles Dodgers activated C Diego Cartaya.
	10/11/2024	C Diego Cartaya assigned to Tiburones de La Guaira.
	10/01/2024	Los Angeles Dodgers recalled C Diego Cartaya from Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
	06/25/2024	C Diego Cartaya assigned to Oklahoma City Baseball Club from Tulsa Drillers.
	03/03/2024	Los Angeles Dodgers optioned C Diego Cartaya to Tulsa Drillers.
	10/12/2023	Los Angeles Dodgers activated C Diego Cartaya.
	10/02/2023	Los Angeles Dodgers recalled C Diego Cartaya from Tulsa Drillers.
	10/02/2023	C Diego Cartaya roster status changed by Los Angeles Dodgers.
	08/30/2023	Tulsa Drillers placed C Diego Cartaya on the 7-day injured list.
	08/30/2023	Tulsa Drillers transferred C Diego Cartaya to the Development List.
	03/15/2023	Los Angeles Dodgers optioned C Diego Cartaya to Tulsa Drillers.
	11/15/2022	Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of C Diego Cartaya from Great Lakes Loons.
	11/15/2022	Los Angeles Dodgers activated C Diego Cartaya.
	07/19/2022	Great Lakes Loons activated C Diego Cartaya from the temporarily inactive list.
	07/16/2022	Great Lakes Loons placed C Diego Cartaya on the temporarily inactive list.
	07/07/2022	National League Futures activated C Diego Cartaya.
	07/07/2022	C Diego Cartaya assigned to National League Futures.
	05/31/2022	C Diego Cartaya assigned to Great Lakes Loons from Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
	03/29/2022	C Diego Cartaya and assigned to Los Angeles Dodgers.
	11/07/2021	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes activated C Diego Cartaya from the 60-day injured list.
	09/09/2021	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes placed C Diego Cartaya on the 60-day injured list.
	08/01/2021	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes placed C Diego Cartaya on the 7-day injured list.
	07/31/2021	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes activated C Diego Cartaya from the temporarily inactive list.
	07/17/2021	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes placed C Diego Cartaya on the temporarily inactive list.
	05/25/2021	C Diego Cartaya assigned to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes from AZL Dodgers 1.
	05/04/2021	C Diego Cartaya assigned to AZL Dodgers 1 from Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
	02/12/2021	C Diego Cartaya assigned to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
	02/12/2021	C Diego Cartaya assigned to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
	10/01/2020	C Diego Cartaya assigned to Great Lakes Loons from Dodgers Alternate Training Site.
	10/01/2020	C Diego Cartaya assigned to Great Lakes Loons.
	07/19/2020	C Diego Cartaya assigned to Dodgers Alternate Training Site from AZL Dodgers 2.
	06/28/2020	Los Angeles Dodgers invited non-roster C Diego Cartaya to spring training.
	06/21/2019	C Diego Cartaya assigned to AZL Dodgers Mota from DSL Dodgers Bautista.
	05/31/2019	C Diego Cartaya assigned to DSL Dodgers Bautista.
	07/02/2018	Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent C Diego Cartaya to a minor league contract.