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//  Saturday, July 31, 2010

Fantasy Baseball Preview: Catcher

Saturday, February 27, 2010
Posted by John Shields

So as we enter part 5 of the fantasy preview, we look at the catching position. A position, that honestly, lacks a high number of quality fantasy contributors. There is a few elite, and then a large group of slight above average stars. The glorious thing about the catching position is that there is a large number in this middle group and it allows for you to have a high chance to get a quality catcher on draft day even if you miss out on the elites.

1. Joe Mauer – Minnesota Twins (.365 AVG, 28 HR, 96 RBI):  Mauer has quickly developed into one of the top players in all of baseball. He missed the beginning of last season with an injury, but that did not slow his progress at all. He is a step above all the other catching options and there are few who even come close (see # 2,3 on this list). He is in a contract year so expect big things from young Joe Mauer. He won the MVP and teams up with another former MVP in Justin Morneau to create a formidable punch in the Twins’ lineup. With Minnesota’s off season additions, expect Mauer to have even more chances to drive in runs.

2. Brian McCann – Atlanta Braves (.281 AVG, 21 HR, 94 RBI):  One of just two catchers on this list who are anywhere near Joe Mauer in fantasy value, McCann is the big bopper in the Braves’ lineup. He is the clear cut best catcher in the national league and the best catcher not named Mauer. Mauer sits in a group all his own, but McCann is knocking on the door. With the addition of Melky Cabrera and Troy Glaus, there is a strong chance McCann will have more opportunities to knock in runs. I expect a big year.

3. Victor Martinez – Boston Red Sox (.303 AVG, 23 HR, 108 RBI): Martinez is the third star catcher on this list and the last of the “higher ranking” players at his position.  Martinez begins his first full season in a stacked Boston lineup. It is not a stretch to assume that he will improve upon his numbers from last year now that he will be involved in the Soxs’ lineup for a full season. Expect him to have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs with Pedroia and Youkilis batting ahead of him in the order.

4. Jorge Posada – New York Yankees (.285 AVG, 22 HR, 81 RBI): The one downside of Posada is his age.  At 38 years old, there is no doubt that some fantasy owners may shy away from drafting him, but in a position short of stars, Posada is still better than most of the others at his position. He is old, but he is still worthy of a higher draft pick. I would just make sure to draft a backup catcher in case something happens to Posada.

5. Kurt Suzuki – Oakland A’s (.274 AVG, 15 HR, 88 RBI):  One of the least known up and coming stars, Suzuki is slowly rising the ladder amongst catchers. Playing in the obscurity of Oakland, few know the name of this budding superstar. This fact alone makes him a possible steal come draft time. He is not a higher round pick, but one of the top picks amongst catchers. Look for him to improve even more this upcoming season. He is a sleeper waiting to be had later in drafts.

6. Miguel Montero – Arizona Diamondbacks (.294 AVG, 16 HR, 59 RBI): Montero will finally have the chance  to start everyday for the Diamondbacks this season. He is only 26 years old, which means there is plenty of room for improvement. After starter Chris Snyder went down with an injury, Montero took over and had a superb as the replacement.  He hit .331 and knocked in 34 runs from July  through August as the primary backstop for the Diamondbacks. Now having free range as the every day starter should make it easier for Montero to have a good season. He is another possible sleeper late in the draft, but still one of the best at his position.

7. Mike Napoli – Los Angeles Angels (.272 AVG, 20 HR, 56 RBI):  Napoli has been the definition of consistent over the last couple of seasons. His totals in home runs, RBIS, and batting average are identical or at least nearly identical each of the past two years. Napoli will never start everyday, but should once again gain enough at bats to have the same kind of numbers he has produced the last two seasons. Draft him with that fact in mind.  

8. Matt Wieters – Baltimore Orioles (.288 AVG, 9 HR, 43 RBI):  Wieters is one of the most anticipated prospects in the game today. His debut last season was solid for a player of his young age, but the upside makes it appear as if this could be his breakout year. With a lack of depth at the catching position, Wieters is a very viable option later in drafts if you’ve forgotten to draft a catcher. I expect very good things from Wieters this year and each year he should be getting better and better.

9. Geovany Soto – Chicago Cubs (.218 AVG, 11 HR, 47 RBI): To say that Soto was a sophomore bust last year was a serious understatement.  He was devastated by injuries last season which may have lead to his down year, so look for a health Soto to have a bounce back season in 2010. The Cubs’ lineup looks to be back to full strength as well which will also lead to an increased production from the former Rookie of the Year. Put him in the homey Wrigley Field and you got a player destined for a breakout year. Soto could turn out to be a steal this late in the draft.

10. Bengie Molina – San Francisco Giants (. 265 AVG, 20 HR, 80 RBI): Bengie Molina may be one of the slowest players in the game today, but thankfully he plays at the one position that speed is not an option. He will not give you steals, but he is still capable of respectable power numbers year after year. Expect him to give you 18-21 home runs and 75 plus RBIs this upcoming season with a respectable batting average.

11. Russell Martin – Los Angeles Dodgers

12. Ryan Doumit – Pittsburgh Pirates

13. Chris Ianetta - Colorado Rockies

14. Yadier Molina – St. Louis Cardinals

15. A. J. Persinsky – Chicago White Soxs

16. Jeff Baker – Florida Marlins

17. Carlos Ruiz – Philadelphia Phillies

18. Dioner Navarro – Tampa Bay Rays

19. Ramon Hernandez – Cincinnati Reds

20. Jesus Flores -  Washington Nationals

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