Diamondbacks’ Caleb Roberts named Texas League Player of the Week

Roberts, 24, is an outfielder trying to convert into a catcher after the Diamondbacks selected him in the fifth round of the 2021 draft. He’s seeing more time at the position in 2024, with an even split of starts between catcher (30) and as the designated hitter (26). He’s already matched his previous season’s total of starts behind the plate, as the organization tries to build their depth at the position. Adrian Del Castillo has been the primary catcher with Triple-A Reno and Roberts is sharing the position with fellow prospect J.J. D’Orazio.

Repeating Double-A Amarillo to continue to get consistent at-bats and reps at catcher, Roberts is hitting .262 with 10 doubles, four triples, eight home runs, and a .849 OPS. FanGraphs rates his offense to be 37% better than the league-average player with a 137 wRC+. His walk rate has held compared to last season, staying at 13%, while cutting his strikeout rate down from 26% to 23%.

Roberts profiles as an end-of-the-bench type player who is still raw defensively at catcher but can cover first base and both corner outfield spots. He profiles more as a third catcher who relies on defensive versatility to get him in the lineup and a primary bat off the bench against right-handed pitchers. With two solid seasons in Amarillo, there’s a good chance he’ll be added to the Diamondbacks’ 40-man roster next winter to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.