Diego Cartaya, C, Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers #1 Prospect)
Diego Cartaya is the Los Angeles Dodgers #1 prospect and one of the youngest players participating in this year’s Futures Game at Dodger Stadium. Cartaya was the top ranked international signing in his class in 2018 and he is currently one of the best catchers in the minors thanks to his all-around skills. He can hit for both average and power and he combines that with a very good eye at the plate that’s helped his OBP soar to .400+. Since starting full-season ball last year Diego Cartaya has hit 24 home runs to go along with 79 RBI in just 91 games. Cartaya, however, is more than just an offensive minded catcher; he's a very good defensive catcher as well that might someday contend for Gold Glove awards thanks to a strong arm that’s received above average or better grades and he also has a definite passion for the defensive side of the game. I was fortunate to catch up with Diego Cartaya before the Futures Game to do a quick Q&A with one of the game's rising stars. Enjoy!
Baseball Q&A
James Weisser: Who was one of your favorite players to watch when you were growing up?
Diego Cartaya: My favorite catcher to watch is Salvador Perez. I’m from Venezuela and Salvador Perez is also so he’s always been one of the guys I looked up to. Him and of course Miguel Cabrera.
JW: What’s one of your favorite things about the game of baseball?
DC: I love everything about the game but if I had to choose one it would be that I love getting to play with my friends. It’s a lot of fun, we go out together and hang out all the time so my teammates have become like family to me and I really enjoy going out and competing and trying to win with them. I also love being behind the plate and watching/playing the game from there, getting to be a part of it all on both sides, but I enjoy blocking and throwing runners out.
JW: What’s one of the aspects of your game that you take pride in or what do you love to do?
DC: I absolutely love throwing runners out, it makes me feel strong.
JW: What’s something that you're currently working on to help improve your game?
DC: My blocking, hitting, and also game calling. I want to be a complete player, I want to be able to do everything.
JW: What does it mean to you to be considered not only the top international signing in your class but to also be the Dodgers #1 prospect?
DC: It means alot, I feel like it definitely shows that I’m doing a good job, but I don’t try to think about it too much. I feel that being the #1 prospect still means that you're a minor leaguer so I look at it as there’s still a ways to go. It feels good being the #1 guy but I still have to keep working hard.
JW: What was it like for you coming to the states in 2019? You played in the Arizona League and then when you’d be heading into your first full season Covid-19 happened, and you got to spend time in 2020 at the alternate training site as an 18 year old, tell me a little bit about your experience.
DC: The alternate site was a great experience for me, I would learn from guys like Keibert (Ruiz) and others who are now major leaguers and other players that are at a very high level. Bobby (Miller) was there and others but it was great to just go out and work hard, improve, and compete with such good players. It was actually a really good thing for me.
Off the Field Interests
JW: What’s some of your favorite foods?
DC: Growing up in Venezuela I love Arepas Cachapas (kind of like a tamale but pan fried).
JW: What’s your favorite type of music?
DC: I like salsa, merengue, and reggaeton. I really enjoy music and all sorts of different types like country and hip hop, I like it all.
JW: What do you like to do for fun when you're not playing baseball?
DC: I like to spend time with my family. I really enjoy fishing, I don’t do it a lot but I really enjoy it.
JW: What’s your favorite movie?
DC: Grown Ups