Alvin Garcia
The Los Angeles Dodgers made headlines once again by designating former top prospect Diego Cartaya for assignment following the signing of South Korean superstar Hyeseong Kim. While some fans may feel uneasy about letting go of a once highly-touted talent, this move is justifiable and strategic given the team’s current situation.
Cartaya’s rise through the Dodgers’ farm system was meteoric. He was heralded as one of the top catching prospects in baseball, receiving glowing reviews from Baseball America and ranking among the organization’s top talents for consecutive years. However, the past two seasons have exposed significant flaws in his game.
At Double-A in 2023, Cartaya batted a paltry .189 with a 29% strikeout rate. Although he improved slightly in 2024, his performance at Triple-A Oklahoma City—where he hit just .208 with a .293 OBP—made it clear that he was not ready to contribute at the major league level. These struggles left the Dodgers in a difficult position, particularly with their catching depth.
The Dodgers’ decision to DFA Cartaya becomes more understandable when considering the emergence of Dalton Rushing and the long-term extension of Will Smith. Rushing has surpassed Cartaya as the organization’s top-catching prospect, boasting better offensive production and a promising future. Meanwhile, Smith’s contract locks him in as the Dodgers’ starting catcher through 2033, leaving little room for Cartaya to break through.
The reality is that Cartaya’s upside as a potential everyday catcher no longer justifies holding onto a valuable 40-man roster spot.
The acquisition of Hyeseong Kim, a versatile and dynamic player, further necessitated the move. Adding Kim bolsters the Dodgers’ lineup and improves their depth, but it also meant tough decisions needed to be made to accommodate him on the roster.
In this context, DFAing Cartaya makes sense. His struggles and the Dodgers’ current depth at catcher made him a luxury they could no longer afford.
Cartaya still holds value due to his defensive skills and patient approach at the plate. While his ceiling has diminished, other teams may view him as a project worth pursuing. A trade could bring back a valuable piece for the Dodgers while allowing Cartaya a fresh start.
The Dodgers’ decision to designate Diego Cartaya for assignment reflects their commitment to optimizing their roster for immediate success. With Hyeseong Kim in the fold and a deep catching corps already in place, moving on from Cartaya was the right call. For a team with championship aspirations, tough decisions like this are necessary to stay competitive.
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