Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Diego Cartaya (76) looks on during spring training at Camelback Ranch. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Minnesota Twins Release Former Top Prospect After Disappointing Showing in Triple-A

Originally posted on Minor League Baseball on SI
By Sam Connon | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 1:30 PM ET

The Minnesota Twins released catcher Diego Cartaya on Wednesday, per the organization's minor league transaction log.

Cartaya, who joined the Twins via a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers in January, appeared in 20 games for Triple-A St. Paul. The 23-year-old hit just .085 with a .353 OPS, striking out in 40 of his 59 at-bats with the Saints.

The Twins claimed catcher Jhonny Pereda off waivers from the Athletics on Tuesday, making Cartaya expendable.

The Twins released catcher Diego Cartaya, a former top prospect with the Dodgers, after they claimed Jhonny Pereda off waivers.

Cartaya had five hits in 59 at-bats (.085 average) with 40 strikeouts in AAA.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) July 23, 2025

Cartaya's release marked the end of a failed experiment for the Twins, who took a flier on the Venezuelan backstop after the Dodgers deciding they were moving on this past offseason. Entering 2023, Cartaya was ranked as the No. 1 prospect in Los Angeles' farm system and the No. 14 prospect in baseball.

Between 2021 and 2022, Cartaya totaled 32 home runs, 28 doubles, 103 RBIs and 81 walks in 126 games of Single-A and High-A action. He hit .265 with a .923 OPS across his age-19 and age-20 campaigns.

Cartaya failed to match that production in 2023, 2024 or 2025, resulting in his dismissal into free agency.

This article first appeared on Minor League Baseball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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