'THE EDGE' (COMING SOON!!) |
Geovany Soto (CHC) – In this economy, you have to say that driving a Geo is always the best value. I could easily go with any of the top four catchers in the first tier, but I wouldn't rush out to get anyone in particular until 35-40 picks into an overall draft. And you can make a case for any one of the four as #1 at the position overall. Soto gets a very slight nod from me since I think he has the most power upside this year, after going 23 HR/86 RBI in his first go around, and has the best potential of a 2 HR/6 RBI performance on any given night. If someone drafts him before you, and you'd like a first-tier catcher, just draft someone else at the position at that point since the catcher run will start very quickly after the first one goes off the board.
Brian McCann (ATL) – McCann has the best established three-year track record amongst backstops, averaging 22 HR/90 RBI over the last three years, and has a batting average that will flirt with .300. Soto and McCann are about a push but if you value experience then McCann may get a very slight edge.
Russell Martin (LA) – My #2 and #3 flip-flops from last year. Martin is a little different flavor than most catchers, as he steals about 20 bases and is the only catcher who helps out in all five categories. You are not going to get much more than about 20 home runs or 20 stolen bases, but is a dependable play who also plays third base on occasion for possible added position flexibility.
Joe Mauer (MN) – Moves up one spot from last year. If you like the rare catcher who scores a lot and is a candidate to win a batting title, then Mauer is your man. In fact Mauer has almost become the Paul Molitor of his position. Unfortunately Mauer also shares another characteristic that Molitor struggled with for much of his career, injuries and other physical maladies. This off-season Mauer had surgery to remove a kidney obstruction, and may not be ready for the start of Spring Training. Mauer has turned down an invite for the World Baseball Classic, but is expected to be ready for opening day. The Twins can always DH Mauer on occasion to keep him fresh during the season.
Victor Martinez (CLE) – It started off well for the consensus #1 catcher going into the 2008 season, getting base hits in his first two plate appearances, but Victor pulled up lame getting to first base after that second hit, and his season became a train wreck afterwards, and also missed three months with elbow surgery. Most disappointing, Vic managed only a measly two home runs in 266 AB's after 25 HR/114 RBI the year before. The good news is Martinez looked to have some of his old form back in September, so look for him to represent more of the old Victor than the current Jason Kendall this season. Check out the spring AB's with Martinez, if he checks out well then he shouldn't be too far off the top four.
Ryan Doumit (PIT) – Not only did he emerge as the NL's version of Joe Mauer with a BA well over .300 for most of last season, and also hit 11 home runs in his first 56 games. Doumit has battled injuries in the past, and is now the main cog in the Pittsburgh offense, which means he could get pitched around a lot this time around.
Chris Ianetta (COL) – After a couple of false starts in the show, it looks like Iannetta got his sea legs down in the latter stages of 2008. finishing with 18 HR/65 RBI in 104 games, but batting average may still be an issue. In 53 games at Coors Field, Ianetta had 11 HR/39 RBI, but only hit .250 as opposed to .280 on the road.
Bengie Molina (SF) – Stays ranked at #8 for second year in a row. Bengie was probably the most valuable Giants offensive player last year, driving in 95 runs and hitting .292, and flirts with 20 home runs annually. You won't see Molina get ranked much higher since there is not much upside left at age 34. Just don't get him confused with the other nine catching Molina's (kind of like the old kicking Zendajas's or the hockey Sutter's) when drafting.
Mike Napoli (ANG) – 20 home runs in just 227 AB's last year sounds like some fantastic potential. Problem is Napoli has battled injures, splits playing time with Jeff Mathis, and strikes out a ton . Napoli also drew some trade interest over the off-season. The home-run per AB ratio was the best in the American League last year, but anything over 400 AB's this year would be gravy.
A.J. Pierzynski (CWS) – If you like little stress from the backstop position, including 140 games played, 15 HR's, and a nice .280-something batting average, then Pierzynski is your man. Ignore the occasional controversy surrounding him and what you see is probably what you are going to get. Kelly Shoppach (CLE) – Based on last years ratios (21 HR in 352 AB's), Shoppach is going to get a lot of pre-season consideration. Question is where is he going to get the playing time if both Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez are healthy. Chances are one or both won't and Martinez can always play first with Shoppach behind the plate.
Matt Wieters (BAL) – Wieters has never played above AA ball, but if you wait any longer than when the first dozen or so catchers are off the board you will not have a shot at one of the year's biggest rookie prospects. Wieters hit 27 HR with 91 RBI in pro ball last year, along with a .355 average – to get an idea of the potential. I am always leery of taking rookies without a single MLB at-bat going in since teams often have even the best prospects (see Evan Longoria last year) start the year in the minors to keep the arbitration clock on hold for a year, but this may be an exception since the Orioles have already traded their starter from last season. Wieters is going to have to fall on his face not to make the trip north with the big club in April.
Kurt Suzuki (OAK) – His career is still young, but it looks like Kurt is going to be one of the more reliable catching options in future years. He hasn't shown a lot in the power numbers yet – but at the very least you should have someone who will be behind the dish for 140 games with a nice .280+ batting average.
Jorge Posada (NYY) – One of the bigger busts at the position last year, as you were likely burned if you chose him as one of the top-five catchers. Posada wound up missing the majority of the season with shoulder surgery, and at age 37 his 20 HR/90 RBI/.300+ days may be a thing of the past. But if healthy Posada should still do well in obviously a loaded lineup.
Dioner Navarro (TB) – He was a nice asset in the batting average department last year, hitting .300+ for the majority of the year. Not much in the other categories yet, but at age 25 he definitely hs the room for development.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia (TX) – If you believe in 'post-hype' sleepers Salty might be your guy this year. Big things were expected from Jarrod after being traded by Atlanta in 2007, but Salty began last year in the minors and injury cut his season far short of expectations. Problem for Salty now is there are other options behind the dish in Texas this year, Salty may have to look at first base if he's going to get regular at-bats this year.
Chris Snyder (AZ) – If you are looking for homers out of the position, Snyder is a decent bet to wind up on the sunny side of 20 this year. Problem is he's an 0-20 slump waiting to happens and he typically sits in about one of every three games. 
Jeff Clement (SEA) – He was the third overall pick of the 2005 amateur draft, so Clement is very capable of blowing up this year, but didn't hit much in 200 AB's worth of action last year. In addition to catching, Clement is expected to also see action at 1B and DH.
Ramon Hernandez (CIN) – Good for 23 HR/90 RBI a few years back, Ramon should be just as good a home run threat in Cincinnati as he was in Baltimore. His batting average should neither help or harm you.
Jesus Flores (WSH) – The Nationals opened last year with the tandem of the Mitchell Report-exposed Paul LoDuca as well as the ever-expanding Johnny Estrada. By June the Job was Flores, and he responded to the tune of 59 RBI in just 300 AB's. I don't see that possibly improving in the Washington lineup but impressive nonetheless.
Yadier Molina (STL) – Younger but still second-best in Molina clan. Became a .300 hitter last year and his stellar defense keeps him in the line-up. Molina is still just age 26 so some of the power numbers could yet develop. Kenji Johjima (SEA) – One Mariner hitting .225 should deserve another. Johjima came to the states three years ago with tremendous hype, but the returns have been diminishing dramatically. At the very least you would expect more than the pathetic 39 RBI's in 112 games last year.
Miguel Olivo (KC) – Supposedly the Royals have promised him regular playing time this year, and Olivo has 20 HR potential if he gets enough AB's. I wouldn't count too much on that happening in part because Olivo swings at everything, taking only 30 walks in his last 1,188 AB's.
Jason Varitek (BOS) – From the department of players likely to be drafted too early. Varitek's days as a solid fantasy catcher ended about three years ago, hitting, .238, .255, and .220 since 2006. Tek is good for about double-figure home runs but not much else at this point.
Brandon Inge (DET) – Hit 27 HR's back in 2006 and is also eligible at third base. That's the good news, now the bad news – Inge's batting average ended up just above the Mendoza line at .205. The position flexibility should still help you for 2-3 weeks if needed this year.
Rod Barajas (TOR) – Greg Zaun got traded out of town this year, so Barajas should see the majority of the action at the outset, although Michael Barrett has also been brought on-board. Barajas has decent power, but any BA over .250 would be a bonus. Look for the Jays to look at some of the other backstops in their organization as the year wears on. Gerald Laird (DET) – The Tigers were looking for a solid defensive backstop, so it looks like Laird will be a good fit here and will get the lions (oops, bad choice of words in Detroit) of playing time this year. Obviously he moves to a less favorable hitters park, but Laird is not a big power guy anyways. Taylor Teagarden (TX) – If you can deal with a sleeper with tremendous power potential, at a cost of plenty of strikeouts, then Taylor may be your cup of tea. 47 September AB's is usually not a sufficient sample size, but six home runs and 19 strikeouts do start to say a little bit.
John Baker (FL) – Baker hit .300 in 200 AB's last year with five HR/32 RBI. Project that over a whole year and Baker could wind up with 70+ RBI, and then the Marlins could have him for another year before he hits arbitration, where Florida would then have no choice but to trade him. Baker looks like the best bet with the Marlins for this year though.
Carlos Ruiz (PHI) – Career minor-leaguer Chris Coste actually produces more on a per at-bat basis, but Carlos remains the starter right now. Ruiz is known as a defensive specialist who doesn't do much on the offensive end, and is thus ranked 30th for the second straight year.
Jason Kendall (MIL) – A decade ago Kendall was one of the top picks at this position. Today his defensive work and leadership abilities gets him about as much playing time as anyone in the majors. But these days Kendall has zero power, zero speed, and is little more than a .250 hitter. The Brewers renewed him for another year, but could be looking at some auditions by the end of this year. John Buck (KC) – At least in 2007 at least Buck provided some power, even though without a good batting average or RBI. Well now even the homers have taken a hit and Buck is now fighting an uphill battle against Miguel Olivo. Josh Bard (BOS) – Bard hit over .300 between 2006 and 2007, so we know he could hit some, and on the surface landing in Boston doesn't sound back. But backup catcher for the Red Sox means trying to handle Tim Wakefield, and fielding knuckleballs is not Bard's forte. See him as little more than an endgame option at this point. 
Brian Schneider (NYM) – Produces decent numbers but is little more than a .250 hitter and is in a straight platoon with Ramon Castro, neither Mets catchers comes highly recommended.
Ivan Rodriguez (FA) – How the mighty have fallen, a decade ago Pudge was at the top of this list as perhaps the best hitting catching in fantasy baseball history. At this writing, the Florida Marlins said thanks but no thanks to re-acquiring Pudge. After that I don't see a whole lot of options out there for I-Rod.