Víctor Manuel Caratini Bio
Víctor Manuel Caratini is a Puerto Rican professional baseball catcher and first baseman who has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, and most recently the Minnesota Twins. Born on August 17, 1993, Caratini stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 215 pounds. He throws right-handed and bats from both sides of the plate as a switch hitter. Caratini has distinguished himself throughout his MLB career for his defensive work behind the plate and his ability to contribute offensively. He became the first player in MLB history to catch consecutive no-hitters for two different teams, achieving this remarkable feat with the Cubs and then the Padres.
Early Life and Background
Víctor Manuel Caratini grew up in Puerto Rico, where he developed his passion for baseball at a young age. He attended Miami Dade College in Florida, where he established himself as a talented collegiate player. His performance at the junior college level attracted attention from Major League Baseball scouts, setting the stage for his professional career. Caratini’s versatility as a switch-hitting catcher made him an attractive prospect for teams seeking offensive production from the catching position.
Path to Professional Baseball
Caratini entered the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft as a highly regarded prospect from Miami Dade College. The Atlanta Braves selected him in the second round, recognizing his potential both as a defensive catcher and an offensive contributor. He signed with the Braves and began his professional career that same year, reporting to the Danville Braves of the Appalachian League for his debut season. His transition from collegiate baseball to professional competition marked the beginning of his journey through the minor leagues.
Víctor Manuel Caratini Career
Atlanta Braves (2013–2014)
Caratini spent his inaugural professional season with the Danville Braves in 2013, appearing primarily at third base during his early development. The following season, 2014, saw him transition to catching as his primary position, reflecting his future role at the major league level. He began the 2014 season with the Rome Braves, continuing to refine his defensive skills behind the plate while adjusting to the demands of professional pitching.
Chicago Cubs Era (2017–2020)
On July 31, 2014, the Atlanta Braves traded Caratini to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Emilio Bonifacio and James Russell. He reported to the Kane County Cougars to finish that season, beginning his integration into the Cubs organization. Caratini progressed through the Cubs minor league system over the next several years, playing for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in 2015 where he batted .257 with four home runs and 53 runs batted in, and the Tennessee Smokies in 2016 where he improved to a .291 batting average with six home runs and 47 runs batted in.
After the 2016 season, Caratini played for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League and earned a spot on the Cubs 40-man roster. The Cubs promoted him to the major leagues on June 28, 2017. He appeared in 31 games during his rookie season, batting .254 with one home run and two runs batted in. In 2018, Caratini played in 76 MLB games with a .232 batting average, two home runs, and 21 runs batted in. He notably made two pitching appearances that season, becoming one of the few catchers to take the mound in a game.
Caratini began the 2019 season as one of the Cubs two catchers alongside Willson Contreras. He delivered his best offensive season to that point, slashing .266/.348/.447 with career highs of 11 home runs and 34 runs batted in across 95 games. On September 13, 2020, Caratini caught a no-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers for teammate Alec Mills, marking the first major no-hitter of his career. The pandemic-shortened 2020 season saw him bat .241 with one home run and 16 runs batted in over 44 games.
San Diego Padres (2021)
On December 29, 2020, the Cubs traded Caratini to the San Diego Padres as part of a major trade that sent Yu Darvish to Chicago in exchange for Zach Davies and four prospects. On April 9, 2021, Caratini caught a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers for starter Joe Musgrove, the first no-hitter in Padres franchise history. This remarkable achievement came just eight months after his previous no-hitter with the Cubs, making Caratini the first catcher in MLB history to catch consecutive no-hitters for two different teams.
Caratini continued to make memorable contributions throughout the 2021 season. On June 17, 2021, he hit his first career walk-off home run against Amir Garrett and the Cincinnati Reds. He played in a career-high 116 games that season, batting .227 with seven home runs and 39 runs batted in. On March 22, 2022, he signed a $2 million contract with the Padres, avoiding salary arbitration.
Milwaukee Brewers (2022–2023)
On April 6, 2022, the Padres traded Caratini to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Brett Sullivan and Korry Howell. He wasted no time making an impact with his new team, hitting his second career walk-off home run on July 4, 2022, against Scott Effross and the Chicago Cubs, his former team. Remarkably, Caratini became the fifth player in major league history to strike out four times before hitting a walk-off home run in that game. In 95 games with the Brewers in 2022, he batted .199 with nine home runs and 34 runs batted in.
On January 12, 2023, Caratini agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Brewers, avoiding salary arbitration for that season. He completed the 2023 campaign with Milwaukee before becoming a free agent following the season.
Houston Astros (2024–2025)
On December 6, 2023, Caratini signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Houston Astros. He quickly became a valuable contributor off the bench and in the starting lineup during the 2024 season. On April 30, 2024, Caratini hit a pinch-hit, walk-off two-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning to defeat the Cleveland Guardians 10-9. Just two weeks later, on May 14, he delivered another pinch-hit, walk-off single in the 10th inning to secure a 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
Caratini experienced some time on the injured list due to a left hip flexor strain, placed there on June 21, 2024, and activated on July 22. For the 2024 season, he batted .269 with eight home runs, 30 runs batted in, and 30 runs scored across 269 plate appearances in 87 total games. He appeared at catcher (58 games), first base (11 games), designated hitter (3 games), and as a pinch hitter (20 games). As a pinch hitter, he excelled with a .421 average (8-for-19) including one home run and five runs batted in.
The 2025 season proved to be Caratini’s most productive. He delivered a go-ahead, two-run single in the seventh inning on May 28, 2025, to help the Astros secure a 5-3 victory over the Athletics. Over a four-day span in early July, he smashed his third and fourth career grand slams, first at Coors Field and then at Dodger Stadium. In 2025, he appeared in 114 games with career highs of 386 plate appearances, 89 hits, 14 doubles, 12 home runs, and 46 runs batted in. He posted a .259/.304/.424 slash line that season.
Minnesota Twins (2026–present)
On January 23, 2026, Caratini signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Minnesota Twins, joining his fifth major league organization. This move represented a new chapter in his career, bringing his experience and leadership to a young Twins team.
Defensive Capabilities and Role
Throughout his career, Caratini has been recognized for his solid defensive work behind the plate. His ability to frame pitches and work effectively with pitching staffs has enabled him to remain a valuable contributor even during periods when his offensive numbers have fluctuated. His experience catching two historic no-hitters speaks to his defensive reliability and game-calling abilities. Beyond catching, Caratini has also played first base, providing his teams with positional versatility.
Notable Career Milestones
Caratini’s most significant career achievement remains becoming the first player in MLB history to catch consecutive no-hitters for two different teams, first with the Cubs on September 13, 2020, and then with the Padres on April 9, 2021. The Padres no-hitter was particularly historic as it marked the first in franchise history. He has also hit four career grand slams, including two in a four-day span during July 2025. His ability to deliver in clutch situations is evidenced by his multiple walk-off hits across different teams.
Víctor Manuel Caratini Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Caratini has compiled impressive career numbers across his nine MLB seasons. His switch-hitting ability and defensive versatility have allowed him to remain a valuable roster piece throughout his career, playing for five different major league franchises.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Caratini has established himself as a durable catcher with consistent offensive production. His career statistics through June 20, 2026, include a .244 batting average, 63 home runs, and 276 runs batted in across parts of nine major league seasons. His career-best offensive season came in 2025 with the Astros, when he set personal highs in virtually every offensive category while appearing in 114 games. His 2024 season with Houston also demonstrated his value as a clutch performer, with multiple walk-off hits and a strong overall offensive output.
Notable Achievements by Team
With the Chicago Cubs, Caratini’s most memorable moment was catching Alec Mills’ no-hitter on September 13, 2020. His time with the San Diego Padres produced the historic feat of catching the first no-hitter in franchise history. In Milwaukee, he delivered another memorable walk-off home run against his former Cubs team. With Houston, he set career highs in 2025 and demonstrated consistent clutch hitting throughout his two seasons with the Astros.
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .244 |
| Home Runs | 63 |
| Runs Batted In | 276 |
| Years Played | 2017–2025 |
| Teams | 5 |
Víctor Manuel Caratini Personal Life
Caratini’s personal life has remained relatively private throughout his professional career. He has not publicly disclosed information about a spouse or children. As a professional athlete, he has focused on his career while representing Puerto Rico in international competition when called upon. His Puerto Rican heritage has been a consistent part of his identity throughout his baseball career, and he has carried that pride through his professional journey in American major league baseball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakout year for Caratini in many respects. After signing with the Houston Astros for $12 million over two years, he delivered the most complete offensive season of his career. His career-high 12 home runs and 46 runs batted in demonstrated the kind of production the Astros had envisioned when they signed him. The two grand slams he hit in a four-day span in July highlighted his ability to come through in key moments, particularly with runners in scoring position and bases loaded.
His versatility remained a significant asset throughout the season, as he appeared in games at catcher, first base, designated hitter, and pinch hitter roles. Manager Joe Espada utilized him strategically, often deploying him as a pinch hitter where he excelled with a .421 batting average in limited at-bats. His veteran presence also provided stability behind the plate and in the clubhouse during a season that saw the Astros compete for playoff positioning.
The combination of his offensive production, defensive reliability, and versatility made Caratini an important part of the Astros’ 2025 roster. His performance solidified his value as a catcher who can contribute across multiple positions and game situations. Following the season, his contract expired, and he subsequently signed with the Minnesota Twins in January 2026, continuing his career with his fifth major league organization.