Dodgers Top Prospects Update: Where are the top six, and how have they performed?

No. 1: Diego Cartaya (Double-A Tulsa)

When the Venezuelan-born Cartaya was signed for a $2.5 million signing bonus by the Dodgers in 2018, he was MLB Pipeline's top-ranked international amateur in the class. After a slow start to his career, Cartaya has been tearing up the minor leagues. In 2019, he debuted in rookie ball with mixed results. In 49 games, he posted a .281 average, but only 18 of his 52 hits went for extra bases. With a 2.63 strikeout/walk ratio, his power wasn't quite enough to counter his tendency to strike out.

He has ascended MLB Pipeline's rankings, becoming the No. 12 overall prospect in the minors, as well as the Dodgers' No. 1 Prospect. But how has he done it? Immediately after the break in minor league action in 2020, Cartaya went on a torrid run, and the stats speak for themselves. In 2021, Cartaya played 31 games for the Dodgers' Single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, posting a 1.023 OPS with 16 extra-base hits (including 10 home runs).

In 2022, Cartaya played in 95 games (33 for the Quakes and 62 for the High-A Great Lakes Loons), posting a combined .892 OPS with 22 home runs, 22 doubles and 72 RBI. Cartaya still had a high strikeout rate, but was more patient at the plate, ending the season with a 1.89 strikeout/walk ratio. In 2023, Cartaya has struggled at Double-A, but his talent is undeniable and with an MLB ETA of 2024, he has plenty of time to figure things out before getting called up to Triple-A, and eventually the majors.