Brewers Send Top 30 Prospect To Padres For Victor Caratini

Image credit: Victor Caratini (Photo by Adam Bow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With Pedro Severino out 80 games due to a drug suspension, the Brewers acquired a new backup catcher from the Padres in Victor Caratini.

 

PADRES ACQUIRE

Korry Howell, OF/INF
Age: 23

Howell, who ranked as the No. 29 prospect for the Brewers, hit .248/.361/.465 in 305 plate appearances in High-A and .235/.318/.329 in 111 plate appearances in Double-A last year. He’s a plus runner who has spent time at center field, shortstop and third base, stealing 24 bases in 30 attempts last year while belting 16 home runs thanks to his ability to turn around fastballs. Soft stuff has given him trouble, though, and led to a 32% strikeout rate last year. If Howell can cut down on his swing-and-miss tendencies, he could fit in a reserve role for multiple positions.

Brett Sullivan, C
Age: 28

Sullivan was a minor league free agent who signed with the Brewers in November after hitting .223/.302/.375 in 90 games with Triple-A Durham last year in the Rays organization. He should fill the same role as a Triple-A veteran catcher with the Padres this year.

 

BREWERS ACQUIRE

Victor Caratini, C
Age: 28

The switch-hitting Caratini should step in as Milwaukee’s new backup catcher behind Omar Narvaez. Between his last two years with the Cubs and Padres, Caratini has hit .231/.316/.324 in 488 plate appearances with an OPS+ of 78, with the catch-and-throw skills that allow him to stick around in a backup role despite his lack of offensive value.