The Twins have acquired former top prospect Diego Cartaya in a one-for-one trade with the Dodgers. Cartaya is still a young player at 23. However, two tough seasons at the upper Minors have caused Cartaya’s stock to fall and the Dodgers subsequently DFA’d him earlier this month. Minnesota will look to see if Cartaya can rebound with a new team.

The teams have confirmed the trade. In return, the Dodgers are getting 20-year-old pitching prospect Jose Vasquez. Vasquez struck out 45 over 30.2 IP last season in the Dominican Summer League.

Diego Cartaya was a hot name for several years in the Dodgers’ farm system. The 23-year-old was rated the third-best prospect in the 2018 international class by MLB.com, behind only Victor Mesa and former Twins prospect Yennier Cano. The Dodgers signed him for $2.5MM.

The new Twins catching prospect hit 10 home runs over 31 games in 2021 with Rancho Cucamonga, then 22 home runs over 95 games between Low-A and High-A in 2022. But after moving up to Double-A, Cartaya has slugged below .400 in each of the last two seasons.

Between Double and Triple-A, Cartaya hit .221/.323/.363 (.686 OPS) with 11 home runs and 27 extra-base hits last season.

The 23-year-old has natural raw power; he’s 6’3”, strong, and has been known to activate it in games. He does, however, have a long swing. Cartaya can also work his way on base. However, the numbers have not been anywhere near what was expected of a bat who was once considered a top catching prospect.

Cartaya will join a Twins team that has catching depth. Minnesota currently has Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vazquez, plus Jair Camargo. Camargo, as we noted earlier in the month, has hit well in LIDOM this winter and will likely compete for a roster spot with the Twins. Cartaya, meanwhile, will likely start 2025 in Triple-A.

It’s the second notable trade the Dodgers have made over the last week. Los Angeles traded Gavin Lux to the Reds on January 6.