Chicago Cubs Minors: Checking in with talent down on the farm

3 of 8

Oct 18, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Mesa Solar Sox catcher Victor Caratini of the Chicago Cubs against the Scottsdale Scorpions during an Arizona Fall League game at Sloan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Victor Caratini, C/1B

At age 23, Victor Caratini is tearing up Triple-A Iowa. Caratini is slashing .351/.394/.530 in 41 games this season. Caratini has also recorded four home runs and 33 RBI. In addition to that, he has also struck out 21 times and walked 12 times in 151 at-bats.

Thus far, Caratini is registering a strikeout rate of 13.9 percent. That mark is lower than his career minor league average of 16.6 percent. Caratini’s low strikeout rate, both this season and throughout his career, bode well for the young prospect.

Caratini has logged innings at first base (124) and catcher (220) so far this season. Despite making mlbpipeline.com’s Team of the Week on back-to-back occasions, Caratini may be stuck behind names like Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras who are performing at a high level in the majors.

#Cubs No. 12 prospect Victor Caratini becomes 1st player this year to make Team of the Week in consecutive weeks: https://t.co/qqbGhwHPA7 pic.twitter.com/dVxIfh4Axg
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 22, 2017

If the 23-year-old can continue to post great numbers, the Cubs may be forced to call-up Caratini. He could provide the Cubs with some more depth at catcher, but with two full-time catchers and Kyle Schwarber already on the roster, that seems unlikely.

Perhaps, Caratini gets bundled with some other prospects at the trade deadline for a couple starting pitchers the Cubs need badly.

Home/Chicago Cubs Prospects