BA GRADE
45
Risk: Medium
HIT: 55.
POW: 45.
SPD: 40.
FLD: 50.
ARM: 45.
Born: Aug. 17, 1993. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 215. Drafted: Miami Dade JC, 2013 (2nd round). Signed by: Buddy Hernandez (Braves).
A Puerto Rico native who attended Southern and then Miami Dade JC, Caratini progressed from converted catcher to big leaguer by 2017, replacing Miguel Montero in late June when the Cubs designated the veteran for assignment. Caratini got sporadic playing time after Chicago traded for veteran Alex Avila in July.
A bat-first catcher, Caratini was hitting .343, ranking fourth in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, when promoted. He repeats his short, strong swing from both sides of the plate and gained the confidence to hunt his pitch and get out front a bit more to produce improved power. He has modest bat speed but average raw power and a feel for hitting that allows the power to play. Caratini’s arm plays average at third base but fringe-average behind the plate, where he has solid footwork to go with his soft hands. He’s worked at refining his average receiving and blocking skills and at calling games, but the Cubs didn’t think he was ready to carry the load when Willson Contreras was hurt.
Caratini’s overall profile resembles that of Avila, an impending free agent whom Caratini could replace as the backup in Chicago in 2018.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2015 |
Myrtle Beach (CAR) |
HiA |
.257 |
112 |
393 |
39 |
101 |
2016 |
Tennessee (SL) |
AA |
.291 |
115 |
412 |
57 |
120 |
2017 |
Iowa (PCL) |
AAA |
.342 |
83 |
292 |
50 |
100 |
|
Chicago (NL) |
MAJ |
.254 |
31 |
59 |
6 |
15 |
Major League Totals |
.254 |
31 |
59 |
6 |
15 |
||
Minor League Totals |
.289 |
469 |
1673 |
224 |
483 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
2015 |
Myrtle Beach (CAR) |
31 |
1 |
4 |
53 |
49 |
2016 |
Tennessee (SL) |
25 |
2 |
6 |
47 |
54 |
2017 |
Iowa (PCL) |
27 |
3 |
10 |
61 |
27 |
|
Chicago (NL) |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
Major League Totals |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
Minor League Totals |
128 |
12 |
26 |
241 |
207 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
2015 |
Myrtle Beach (CAR) |
75 |
0 |
0 |
.342 |
.372 |
2016 |
Tennessee (SL) |
80 |
2 |
1 |
.375 |
.405 |
2017 |
Iowa (PCL) |
48 |
1 |
0 |
.393 |
.558 |
|
Chicago (NL) |
13 |
0 |
0 |
.333 |
.356 |
Major League Totals |
13 |
0 |
0 |
.333 |
.356 |
|
Minor League Totals |
321 |
4 |
4 |
.369 |
.426 |
|