NEWSLETTER
I have a funny feeling that a lot of Cubs’ fans are going to thinking about the major league catching situation in general and the possibility of Victor Caratini being available to help out in particular. I also suspect the phrase “running game” will be frequently involved. I can’t imagine why.
Whether or not any sort of major league help is needed is a very different conversation, but there is no harm in taking the opportunity to check in on Caratini.
So here’s the short version. Yes, Caratini’s switch-hitting bat is probably ready for a major league trial, and he has thrown out 28% of his baserunners this year.
More specifically, the bat has been great this season. His Triple A line of .336/.378/.527 includes eight homers (already a career high), a walk rate of 7.5%, and a fantastic strikeout rate of just 15%. He is having by far the best offensive season of his career, a season good enough that some fans could be forgiven for dreaming on Caratini as a high value trade piece to teams looking for a new cost controlled starting catcher.
In the right situation I think he could start, but I suspect his future is as more of a very good back up catcher, quite possibly for the Cubs. One of the reason for that is his work behind the plate. I am not an expert at grading catchers and I am relying on not terribly recent reports here, but I see consistent indications that Caratini’s arm is accurate enough, but that he isn’t particularly strong and that his pop times are on the slow side.
Still, if you’re looking for a solid bat who could start behind the plate twice a week as soon as now, Caratini is pr-ossibly your guy.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Iowa 7, New Orleans 6
Iowa led early, but they still had to come from behind in the late innings.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies had the night off.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach 4, Potomac 2
The Pelicans took a first inning lead and let their very good pitching staff take it from there.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
Fort Wayne 11, South Bend 10
Believe it or not, after five innings this was a 3-2 game.
Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
Eugene 5, Hillsboro 2
Emeralds’ pitching struck out thirteen in this one.
Rookie: AZL Cubs
The AZL Cubs had the night off.
Other Notes
