Dodgers Shockingly DFA Former Top Prospect Diego Cartaya
The Dodgers have made the decision to designate former top prospect Diego Cartaya for assignment. The move comes after the team officially signed Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim.
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The Dodgers needed to clear room on the 40-man roster for Kim, who was officially signed to a three-year, $12.5 million deal with a two-year club option for 2028 and 2029. Designating Cartaya for assignment comes as a surprise, though.
Cartaya, 23, was once considered the top prospect in the Dodgers organization. In 2023, he was ranked as the team’s No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. However, he’s struggled at the plate ever since he was promoted to Double-A in 2023.
In 2023, Cartaya slashed .189/.278/.379 with 19 home runs and 57 RBIs. In 2024, across Double-A and Triple-A, he slashed .221/.323/.363 with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs.
Cartaya initially joined the Dodgers in 2018 as an international free agent out of Venezuela. He rose the ranks of the minor leagues and appeared to be the catcher of the future in Los Angeles. However, following Will Smith’s emergence at catcher, as well as catcher Dalton Rushing’s emergence as the team’s top prospect, it became clear that Cartaya may not have a future in this organization. Now, that has become a reality.
Cartaya will head to waivers, where he’ll have a chance to be claimed by all 29 teams. The Dodgers could also try to trade him to a team looking to skip the waiver order and add the 23-year-old catcher.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
