Charlie Cutler

CHARLIE CUTLER	CATCHER
	Born: July 29, 1986 Height: 6’0″ Weight: 200 Bats: Left Throws: Right Drafted: 14th Round, 425th Overall Pick, 2008 (Cardinals) How Acquired: Rule 5 Draft, Minor League Phase College: University of California, Berkeley Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

The Pirates selected Cutler from the Cards in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft, which means St. Louis didn’t think highly enough of him to put him on their AAA roster. He was considered a decent prospect at the time of the draft and has hit well in the minors, but he hasn’t moved up quickly and has generally been old for the levels he’s played at. The Cardinals have had a habit in recent years of stocking their system with low-upside, low-risk college players, which probably includes Cutler. He’s not highly regarded defensively, which will limit his chances of getting called up as an emergency catcher. He’s thrown out 24% of opposing base stealers for his career.

2008
A-: 303/365/408, 142 AB, 4 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 10 BB, 17 K

Cutler had a good debut, hitting for average and making good contact, but not showing much power.

2009
A: 351/410/455, 242 AB, 11 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 24 BB, 25 K, 1-2 SB
A+: 274/406/390, 146 AB, 10 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 25 BB, 22 K, 2-2 SB

Cutler had little trouble with low A, even hitting for a little power. He didn’t hit as much after a mid-season promotion to high A, but continued to show an excellent eye at the plate. He got a little playing time in the outfield and at first.

2010
A+: 292/368/409, 174 AB, 11 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 17 BB, 17 K
AA: 218/329/252, 119 AB, 4 2B, 15 BB, 16 K

Cutler opened the season in AA, but he struggled enough that the Cardinals demoted him. Even with the struggles he continued to control the strike zone well. Back in high A he had about the same year as 2009. His seasons ended early due to a broken foot.

2011
AA: 333/398/475, 204 AB, 8 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 21 BB, 28 K

Cutler returned to AA and fared much better, including decent power. He missed time due to several stints on the DL and the inactive list.

2012
AA: 296/407/421, 152 AB, 7 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 21 BB, 17 K, 1-1 SB

Cutler spent the year with Altoona. Initially, he was the 3rd catcher behind Tony Sanchez and Ramon Cabrera, which meant he didn’t catch much. He served time as the DH, then became the backup catcher after Sanchez was promoted to AAA. He hit for average and showed very good strike zone judgment.

2013
AA: 298/397/420, 255 AB, 16 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 39 BB, 37 K, 3-3 SB

Cutler started the season as the backup catcher at Altoona behind Carlos Paulino. He didn’t seem to be slated for much playing time initially, getting into only nine games in April. He got hot in May, though, posting a .949 OPS at a time when the Curve were having massive hitting problems. Cutler played semi-regularly after that, mostly as DH but only sparingly against LHPs. He slumped in August but still turned in a good year. In 30 games behind the plate he threw out 21% of base stealers and had no passed balls.

Cutler has one more year before he’ll be eligible for free agency. Hopefully, he’ll get a chance to play in AAA at least part of the season.

STATS

Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MiLB.com

CONTRACT INFORMATION

2014: Minor league contract

PLAYER INFORMATION

Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2008
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2014
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000

TRANSACTIONS

June 6, 2008: Drafted in the 14th round, 425th overall pick, by the St. Louis Cardinals; signed on June 10.
December 8, 2011: Selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.