:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13964835/tcb_dp4.0.jpg)
Summary
Miami Dade JC has produced several quality prospects in recent years, including Brian Goodwin and Jabari Blash, and is known for bringing in players with big time power. Next in the pipeline is Victor Caratini, a highly projectable backstop/third baseman who will hope to ride his bat to the big leagues. He's put a lot of time into catching, but ultimately he is unlikely to be a backstop- his receiving is simply too rough and though athletic in a baseball sense he doesn't have the fluidity or flexibility you'd like to see in a catcher. That said, a team may try and force a square peg into a round hole and give him a look there because of the upside his bat would carry at the position.
Caratini does have plenty of arm for catcher, and that will serve him well at his likely long-term home, third base, where his bat still profiles excellently. His swing is pretty long, but it generates leverage and loft and he has excellent bat speed; plus, he's a switch hitter. Still 19 years old and possessing tremendous raw power in his 6'1" frame, Caratini can be a big league slugger with 30 home run potential, even if he's unlikely to hit for high averages given the length in his swing.
Though he's highly unlikely to be a catcher, Caratini has a great chance to contribute with his powerful bat as a big-leaguer. He's not a supreme athlete, but his offensive mechanics are very pretty and are tailor-made for hitting baseballs a long way. Assuming his plate discipline holds up, he has the profile to be an every day player at the hot corner, even if he has plenty of rough edges to smooth out.
Major League Floor
As with any player with power as their best tool, there's a chance that Caratini struggles with contact to the extent that he'll be stuck as a power bat off the bench.
Major League Ceiling
At third base, Caratini has a chance to be an average OBP hitter with big power and play every day.
Will He Sign?
This is his second year at Miami Dade, so it's likely that he'll make the jump to pro ball.
VIDEO SOBRE EL JUGADOR JUVENIL DE COAMO VICTOR CARATINI (via Ramon Luis Vazquez)
Victor caratini hr.mp4 (via jjcardonafm)