Chicago Cubs: Victor Caratini raking as he defends his spot on the roster

Chicago Cubs: Caratini playing well this winter

So far this offseason, Caratini has been tearing up opposing pitching in the Puerto Rican Winter League to the tune (roughly) of a .371/.549/.571 slash line with a pair of long balls in 51 at-bats.

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When you put that side-by-side with his career big league numbers (.238/.303/.317), you have to like what you’re seeing from the former second-round pick – right?

The answer isn’t as clear-cut as you’d expect it would be. Yes, it’s tremendous to see him performing at such a high level after a pretty lackluster showing in 2018.

But he’s done this before. Maybe not in winter ball, but Caratini is a career .334/.397/.536 hitter at the Triple-A level. In the highest levels of the minors, this kid has torched opponents. We’re just yet to that type of success translate to the Major League level.

With his strong showing this winter, I have little doubt he’ll have the chance to earn his job back next spring. But with an apparent lack of veteran leadership on the Cubs’ big league roster, could these veterans make more sense for Chicago?