by: Matt Bair
Catcher is one of the most difficult positions to predict. Between injuries, lack of development in young players, and shorter production life there are many pitfalls to the position from a fantasy perspective. It’s for these reasons that I typically don’t go after the big-name catchers and instead fill out that slot with a late round pick. Of course, that also leads to me adding and dropping catchers throughout the year, playing the hot hand. Who won’t you see on this list? Matt Wieters (too young), Jorge Posada (too old), and AJ Pierzynski (too angry, and really not that good anymore).
1. Brian McCann: He’s young, he stays in the lineup, and he produces. Last year’s .300 average may have been a bit over his head, but his power is legit.
TIPS Projection: .285/.360/.520, 65 Runs, 25 HR, 90 RBI, 0 SB
2. Joe Mauer:
Not far behind McCann, but for different reasons. He won’t put up the big power numbers, but he’ll hit for average and score runs. If your league counts OBP I’d move him to #1 on the list
TIPS Projection: .335/.405/.450, 90 Runs, 12 HR, 80 RBI, 5 SB
3. Victor Martinez: Think back to this time last year. V-Mart was considered the best catcher around and one of the rare catchers worth keeping in a dynasty league. One injury marred season seems to have erased everyone’s memories. He’ll bounce back.
TIPS Projection: .295/.370/.460, 70 Runs, 21 HR, 80 RBI, 0 SB
4. Geovany Soto: The usual concern here is that there could be a sophomore slump. However, at 26, Soto is a little further along than most 2nd year players. He was consistent last year, another sign of a mature player.
TIPS Projection: .270/.350/.510, 60 Runs, 23 HR, 75 RBI, 0 SB
5. Russell Martin: Some people have Martin as part of the top 3 catchers, but I see him as a significant step below the elite. His main value is his speed, a rarity for catchers. However, he’s got nearly a thousand at-bats in the position of the last two years and that’s going to catch up to him.
TIPS Projection: .280/.375/.410, 80 Runs, 15 HR, 60 RBI, 15 SB
6. Mike Napoli: There’s no question that Napoli can hit the long ball - 20 home runs in just 227 at-bats last year. But can he stay in the lineup? This is the year he puts it together and gets over 400 at-bats.
TIPS Projection: .270/.375/.520, 70 Runs, 28 HR, 80 RBI, 0 SB
7. Ryan Doumit: Doumit and Napoli are similar in some ways. Both have struggled to make it through a full season, both have some pop, and both showed breakout signs last year. Doumit won’t give you quite as many homers, but he’ll help you with his batting average.
TIPS Projection: .305/.350/.470, 70 Runs, 18 HR, 75 RBI, 0 SB
8. Chris Iannetta: The third in a line of breakout catchers from last year, Iannetta was able to win the job and keep it last year. He didn’t disappoint either, hitting 18 home runs in 333 at-bats. Unfortunately, the power came at the expense of his batting average. Expect more of the same this year.
TIPS Projection: .260/.355/.480, 60 Runs, 22 HR, 70 RBI, 0 SB
9. Bengie Molina: You want consistency with a catcher? You’ll get it here. Over the past four seasons his batting average has been between .276 and .295 and his home run total between 15 and 19. It’s not great, but it’s solid. Late in the draft, that’s what you want from this position.
TIPS Projection: .285/.320/.445, 50 Runs, 18 HR, 80 RBI, 0 SB
10. Kelly Shoppach: With V-Mart getting most of his at-bats at first base or DH, Shoppach will do most of the catching. In his first full-time duty last year he produced and should be able to replicate that, meaning power and a bad batting average.
TIPS Projection: .250/.310/.480, 65 Runs, 20 HR, 60 RBI, 0 SB
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