Position Rankings: Top 20 Catchers

It’s time to roll out the top 20 players at every position and the argument for them. I will be going over this in the Fantasy CPR Live Baseball Extravaganza on Saturday as well. On Saturday we will take your calls at (347) 426-3793. You can also email us your questions at [email protected].

1. Brian McCann, Atlanta- Undoubtedly the best catcher in the draft. In his first three seasons he has averaged a .300 average and twenty home runs. Though he won’t play every single game, he will get in at least 140 games next year. Hitting in the middle of the Braves lineup as well helps his fantasy status. McCann is the only catcher worth taking within the top 50.

2. Russell Martin, Los Angeles- Martin’s numbers dropped off in the second half, as he handled teh major load for the Dodgers in 2009. Even though Joe Torre  has said they will give Martin more rest, his steals at the catcher position are unmatchable. Martin had 18 steals in 2007 and 18 in 2009. Martin also might become a good backup third baseman as well, if Torre plays him there in 2009.

3. Geovany Soto, Chicago- You can go many ways with the 3rd catcher drafted, but Soto has the most potential of the other top catchers remaining. Soto hit 23 homers and had 86 RBIs in 2008. For many, it is hard to take Soto early, because he hasn’t shown a history of this type of production. Consider this though. In 2007 he did hit .353 with 26 bombs and 109 RBIs for AAA Iowa. Either way Soto is a top five catcher.

4. Ryan Doumit, Pittsburgh- Doumit burst onto the scene in 2008 when he hit .318 with 15 homers and 69 RBIs. Before last season, Doumit averaged only 105 games a season, but he should get the full load with Ronny Paulino in Philadelphia. At age 27, Doumit should set a pace that gives you 25 homers in a full season. For a catcher, his high average last season (.318) is a bit fragile. In previous seasons, Doumit never hit above .280.

5. Joe Mauer, Minnesota-  Any other year Mauer would be either the first or second catcher you should take off the board. Mauer’s average is always the best at the position. What scares me though is his current back issues. team officials still don’t know what is going on with his back pain, and he hasn’t worked in any baseball activities for the last two weeks. Though Twins management is comfortable saying this is not a long term issue, I have issue drafting someone with this type of lingering injury.

6. Victor Martinez, Cleveland- Last year’s injuries causeed a very unproductive year for Martinez power wise. At a weak positiion though, Martinez ranks in the top ten simply because manager Eric Wedge says no matter where, whether at catcher, designated hitter, or first base, Martinez is going to be in the lineup everyday. Beyond last year, Martinez has hit .300 or better since 2005. If he can get anywhere near his 25 homer 114 RBI season in 2007, then he will be worth going off the board in the middle rounds.

7. Chris Iannetta, Colorado- I know what your thinking-yes, Iannetta will play significantlly more than Yorvit Torrealba. After witnessing his WBC performances, I am convinced that Iannetta will hit 20 home runs and continue to get on base. Of all NL catchers in 2008, Iannetta had the second best OPS. If your draft style has you taking two catchers early in the draft, than Iannetta is the “sleeper” to target. Many mock drafts have rookie Matt Wieters going before Iannetta. He could be the breakout catcher of 2009.

8. Matt Wieters, Baltimore- Wieters has been a man possesed in his professional career so far. The Evan Longoria of 2009, Wieters could start in AAA, but it seems clear that he should be up with the parent club by the beggining of May. There is a reason that the Orioles traded Ramon Hernandez. It was to get this guy in the lineup.

9. Mike Napoli, Los Angeles- Napoli drilled 20 homers last year in split time with Jeff Mathis last season. His 227 at bats were very productive, and he has a lot of value. But what scares me is his surgery repaired shoulder. Napoli has yet to play the catcher position in spring training.  Mike Scioscia hasn’t been agaisnt starting Napoli in the minors either.

10. Jorge Posada, New York- Speaking of shoulder issues, Posada had labrum issues last year that shut him down for most of the season. He played four innings a few days ago, and everything seems to be good. At 37, you would think that Posada is on the decline, but I think he has one more good season in him, just like Jake Taylor did. I think it would be even more funny if he ended up the New York Yankee manager after the guy that used to start over him and eventually started over. Anyways, expect a respectable average and some power.

11. Ramon Hernandez, Reds- The Great American Ballpark helps this Venezuelan get his stroke back together. Hey Ramon, will you say hello to the short porch for me? I have a feeling you too will be conversing regularly. Though I would normally consider Hernandez as my second starter, this year’s catcher market could allow you to take him as a main starter. I have considered it in some leagues.

12. Bengie Molina, Giants- Mr. Consistent.  At least the last four season. Molina has hit at least 15 homers and held a .275 average in that time. The best part of taking Molina in drafts is that he puts the ball in play or at leasts takes walks. He struck out only 38 times in 530 at bats. It is hard to imagine that Molina was able to tally 95 RBIs in the middle (or lack therof) of the Giants lineup.

13. Kelly Shoppach, Indians- I just have a feeling that Kelly Shoppach will find a way to hit 20 homers yet again this season. Will it be at catcher? Who knows, but he could be a regular at DH if Pronk can’t find his stroke. Why not take a chance in the mid to late rounds, especially with Pronk and Martinez’s injury history.

14. Chris Snyder, Arizona- Snyder is in the same situation as Shoppach, but it’s not as bearing. Snyder could possibly platoon with two other catchers (James Skelton, Miguel Montero) but he has that potential to take 20 deep. The pitching staff loves him, so it is highly likely that he will get the majority of the playing time. His average is going to hurt most teams though.

15. Kenji Johjima, Seattle- Most fantasy analysts have Johjima’s teammate Jeff Clement here, but I think Johjima will rebound from last year. Remember, just a few years ago Johjima was a top ten talent at the catcher position. I am expecting 15-20 homers and a solid .280-.295 average. The Mariners will give him a bit more protection, with some more runners on base.

16. Yadier Molina, Cardinals- Maybe yet another reach, but I feel Molina’s bat has now turned the corner. Hitting .304 isn’t out of the question. What Molina has is a pretty good balance  of Power and getting on base for a catcher. His .741 OPS is respectable for a  backup catcher. I almost expect double digit homers for the first time in his career as well.

17. Dioner Navarro, Rays- At 25, his offense is very comparable to Molina’s performance in 2008. A .757 Ops, combined with a .295 average and a modest 54 RBIs. Some are spectacle on the fact that Navarro will hit .295 again, but why wouldn’t he? Add Pat Burell to the lineup and the rest of that young lineup getting one more year under their belt. I like Navarro at the bottom of that order.

18. John Baker, Florida- Now that Pudge has signed in Houston, Baker seems to be a lock for the starting position. Though 60 games in 2008 is a small amount to gauge the 2009 season, Baker should be able to hold a pretty solid .290 average, with some power output. The only way you draft him is if you are hoping for an high average guy that gives you just a bit of a boost.

19. Taylor Teagarden, Texas- At this point, scouring for talent is the name of the game. Teagarden had a great start when he entered the majors last season, and could of even locked a majority of the starts in Arlington. This kid has the power potential to explode. My number one stat for the catcher position has to be OPS, simply because you want someone at this postion to have a bit of power, but get on base as well (considering only a few catchers hit 25+ homers). Teagarden’s OPS in 2008 was a monsterous 1.205.

20. Jeff Clement, Seattle- Clement has power, and a lot of it. If he can harness his swing, then Clement will be a steal in the late rounds. He is considered a true sleeper in 2009, especially since he hits from the left side. But let’s look at the reality. So far this spring, he has one extra base hit and a low .208 average. The catching situation is pretty muddled at this point as well. But with potential comes promise, and Clement could be a real steal.