The Dodgers announced on Thursday that catcher Diego Cartaya has been traded to the Twins in exchange for Minor League pitcher Jose Vasquez.
Once regarded as the Dodgers’ top prospect by MLB Pipeline in 2023, Cartaya was designated for assignment on January 3 to make room on the 40-man roster for Hyeseong Kim.
Cartaya’s Journey in the Minors
Cartaya’s baseball journey began in 2018 when he was signed as an international free agent from Maracay, Venezuela.
Previously considered one of the most promising prospects in the sport, his performance dipped following his 2022 Minor League Player of the Year honor with the Dodgers.
Last season, split between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, he posted a .221 batting average, an OPS of .686, and hit 11 home runs over 95 games.
At 23 years old, Cartaya has yet to make his Major League debut. During his time in the Dodgers’ Minor League system from 2019 to 2024, his cumulative stats include a .236 batting average, a .340 on-base percentage, and a .435 slugging percentage across 363 games.
The Dodgers’ catching depth chart left limited opportunities for Cartaya’s advancement. Will Smith remains the team’s starting catcher under contract until 2033, with Austin Barnes and Hunter Feduccia also occupying roster spots.
Additionally, Dalton Rushing, the organization’s current top catching prospect, is nearing a Major League call-up.
The Future for Vasquez
On the other hand, Vasquez, a 20-year-old right-hander from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, joined the Twins as an international free agent in 2022.
Over two seasons in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, he has recorded a 5-2 record with an 8.05 ERA in 22 appearances, including nine starts.
