Brian McCann (ATL) – So it begins. The catching position did not provide anyone head and shoulders in the power department in 2006 (no one with even as many as 25 home) runs, but don’t get fooled – it is a fairly deep field highlighted by a pair who challenged for batting titles in their respective leagues last year, which is highly unusual for the position. I’m guessing you will see Mauer ranked first in the majority of publications, but I’m going to go with McCann – who went more under the radar while providing better power numbers (24 HR/93 RBI) than Mauer (13/84). McCann was especially impressive after the break last year going (.324/18/64). Arguments against McCann include being in the NL, and in not nearly as good a hitters park than McCann, as well as the fact that McCann was not especially a high-average hitter in the minors (.275) – but players improving immensely once hitting the show is not that unusual.
Joe Mauer (MN) – I always refer to the #1 overall pick of the 2001 MLB draft where Mark Prior was the most talented player in the draft, while Mauer was just out of high school and also had the option of a Florida State football scholarship. Possibly being bullied by the fact that Prior was a Scott Boras buy, the Twins went with the hometown product with Mauer. Although it seemed like a budgetary small-market move at the time, six years later the Twins appear to have hit the jackpot with the decision. Although he is sure thing in the BA department, Mauer has not really opened eyes in the home run or steals department. But Mauer is still only 23, he should develop more power-wise. Another plus is that the Twins utilize him at DH once in while giving Mauer additional playing time.
Victor Martinez (CLE) – If you miss out on the other two M guys, you still have Vic, who ranks #2 or even as a #1 on a lot of cheat sheets. Martinez has averaged 20 home runs along with a .300 batting average since 2004, so there is a good track record. One minor demerit goes to the fact that Victor is not a defensive backstop and the fact that Travis Hafner is cemented as the DH. However Martinez was used 22 times at first base last year and thus qualifies there as well.
Kenji Johjima (SEA) – If you took a chance on Kenji in your draft last year, he did not really hurt you going with 18 home runs along with a .291 batting average. The power was a minor disappointment since Kenji had some 30+ homers in his Japan days. Johjima did break his leg a couple years back, but has typical Japanese work ethic and has a very good chance at again being worth 140+ games behind the dish.
Jorge Posada (NYY) – I told you it is a deep field this year, Posada gets ranked only fifth despite coming off one of his better power years with 23 HR/93 RBI. The only qualm with Posada is that around .270 seems like his ceiling as far as BA is concerned.
Ramon Hernandez (BAL) – Finally getting a chance to play an entire schedule in 2006, Ramon had a great year and his stats were very much along the line of Jose Posada finishing at .275/23/91. Ramon was especially stout at Camden Yards where he hit 17 of his home runs, which provided much of the difference between last year and his San Diego Padre days.
Mike Piazza (OAK) – Despite playing in Petco Park, and despite being behind the dish for only 99 games and getting 400 AB’s, Piazza still had a great power year with 22 HR along with a .501 slugging percentage. Piazza now gets to be a full-time DH in Oakland so even at age 38 he could be headed for a better season.
Ivan Rodriguez (DET) – Still does pretty good in the batting average department, although his power declined dramatically ever since losing some weight and moving over to Detroit a few years back. Still a decent option late in his career, just not a top one.
Russell Martin (LA) – Went from AA prospect to the show in a month and a half last year, and quickly became the regular catcher while sprinkling double-figures in both home runs and stolen bases. Nice pick if your looking for future upside.
Gerald Laird (TX) – Now the primary starting catcher in Texas, Laird gets immediate consideration being in perhaps the best home hitting park in the majors. Although Laird has 20 home run potential, he was only good for a mere 22 RBI in 243 AB’s last year. Although he wears out lefties, Laird has his struggles against right handers.
Jason Varitek (BOS) – In the past, Varitek has been ranked along the likes of Jose Posada and the two in fact have had very similar career tracks. Jason is however coming off a horrible injury-plagued 2006 campaign. Varitek also never plays first and David Ortiz means no DH opportunities. I would take a chance however if he’s available at this stage in your draft.
Bengie Molina (SF) – Parlayed a 19 home run campaign in just 117 games last year to a 3 year/$16 million pact with the Giants. His BA is very respectable, usually falling in the .280/.290 range.
David Ross (CIN) – As far as home runs per at-bats were concerned last year, Ross was by far the class of the field with 21 HR in 247 AB’s – one bomb per 12 AB’s is not that bad. The Reds let starter Jason LaRue walk during the off-season, so Ross gets a chance to potentially be the starter. The downside is that there is little additional upside, Ross is 30 years old and struggles in the BA department, anything over .250 would be gravy.
Michael Barrett (CHC) – One of those guys where you know exactly what your going to get, 16 HR’s and about 60 RBI. However last year Barrett stepped it up in batting average and got his work in only 107 games. Barrett missed the end of the season after undergoing surgery for a interscrotal hematoma. I’ll translate, he got hit with a foul tip in the same area former Giants trainer Stan Conta got nailed once trying to attend to J.A. Pierzynski.
J.A. Pierzynski (CWS) – Will forever be linked with Barrrett after getting coldcocked by him last year. He gets linked with Barrett here because his stats are very similar. Just don’t expect any more than 20 bombs and anything close to his .295 average last year would be acceptable.
Rod Barajas (PHI) – Good for 20 home runs in just 120 games with Texas a couple years back, Barajas now heads to perhaps the second-best hitting park in the majors. Only problem is he has had time climbing above the .250 mark in batting average.
Josh Bard (SD) – A career backup up to this point in his career, Bard should finally get a chance at fulltime duty this year, you can’t argue with .333/9/40 in just 249 AB’s in 2006, but the power stats will probably take a dive in the NL at Petco.
Paul LoDuca (NYM) – If you want someone behind the dish to be a steady .300 hitter. LoDuca is your man, my problem is LoDuca has not offered much in the home run or RBI department the last couple of seasons.
Johnny Estrada (MIL) – Should do well as the Brewers have one of their best offensive options behind the plate in quite a while. Has hit .300 plus in two of the last three years but hasn’t shown a significant amount of power.
Miguel Olivo (FL) – Once touted as a nice fantasy prospect who actually had stolen base potential, Olivo finally found a home after being bounced around a few organizations. Does how 20 HR potential, but doesn't steal any more and struggles in the BA department.
Jason Kendall (OAK) – Starts about as many games behind the plate as any catcher, and is usually good for at least a .290 average. Still among the stolen base leaders among catches, but not nearly as much in his old Pirate days in the late 1990’s. And then there is the fact that Kendall has all of one home run the last two years, which is unacceptable.
Ronny Paulino (PIT) – And if it is just batting average that you are looking for, Kendall's eventual replacement should do - as Paulino hit a solid .310 while handling a full-load for most of last season. At age 25, you might even see some improvement in the power department.
Mike Napoli (ANG) – First the good, 16 HR in 268 AB’s last year, very impressive. But if Napoli has batting average issues which could cost him playing time, hit all of .164 after the break last year.
Greg Zaun (TOR) – Goes into camp as the starter, and did have 12 home runs in 299 AB’s last year. But not a great average hitter and now at age 35.
Chris Iannetta (COL) – Had an impressive .622 slugging percentage in AA and did not do bad in a one month audition at the end of the season. Anyone with a potential of starting at Coors Field deserves consideration.
Miguel Montero (AZ) – Basically the same mindset as Iannetta here, rookie catcher in a nice hitters park who should start. Got the promotion to Arizona after 7 HR/29 RBI in a little more than a months work at AAA.
Javier Valentin (CIN) – Has shown great power over the last couple of seasons, elevate him about ten spots if he were to beat out David Ross.
Mike Lieberthal (LA) – Going from Philly to LA will take a hit on anyone’s power stats. If Russell Martin were to stumble however Lieberthal would become a nice FA pick up.
