Catcher is by far the worst position in fantasy baseball, especially if you are forced to go 2 deep at the position. First there are limited guys who put up solid numbers. Secondly, the bottom tier guys typically platoon and at most play 2/3 of the games during the season. For this reason one might think of bumping up Mauer or Martinez in rounds where their stats aren't on the same level as those getting drafted. Unless you get 2 guys in the top 12 your second catcher is going to be pretty useless.
1. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins - The only question mark with Mauer is when/if the power numbers are going to emerge during the season. If Mauer could improve his 2007 stats to incorporate 20+ home runs than he would move into a viable 2nd round draft pick in 2008. Until then he's simply the #1 catcher in all of fantasy.
2. Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians - Martinez moves in marginally behind Mauer as he has proven over the past 3 seasons to have more power than Mauer (Two 20 Homerun seasons) with an emerging batting average. Which over the past three seasons has moved from .283, .305, to .316 last season. Both Martinez and Mauer are a few rounds above the remainder of the catchers in the league. Why? Both play in a lot of games. The Indians work in "days" off from catching for Martinez by throwing him at DH or 1B. This should continue, and Martinez should effectively end up with many more at bats than the typical Catcher.
3. Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves - Will there be a major Sophomore slump? Will McCann maintain his #5 spot in the lineup behind Andrew Jones? There have been reports saying that the 23 year old is a leader in the clubhouse.
4. Mike Piazza, Oakland A's - DH is the key word here. He doesn't have to catch and therefore should receive ample playing team and have bigger numbers than in past seasons. Perhaps the Big Hurt's numbers from 06' are too lofty and expectation but to think he can't hit .280 25 HRs with 90+ rbis is not far fetched at all.
5. Ramon Hernandez, Orioles - Knock the Orioles chances to win the division all you want, they still have a pretty good lineup and Ramon Martinez is one of the best fantasy catchers around and should finish the season with close to 20 HRs and around 90 rbis.
6. Kenji Johjima, Mariners - Great rookie season in 2006 really no reason to expect a significant decline.
7. Jorge Posada, Yankees - After many years of decline Posada had a terrific 2006 campaign. One thing that is for certain, hitting in the Yankees lineup means plenty of runs scored and RBI chances.
8. Michael Barrett, Cubs - Barrett is a very good option at the #1 catcher position especially with the increased productivity which should come in the Cubs new lineup. Now if only we can assure he doesn't punch AJ Scumbag in the face and get suspended for a significant amount of time.
9. Russell Martin, LA Dodgers - Double Digit Steals and Homers, not gonna get that out of many catchers. Perhaps he develops further in his 2nd year in the bigs.
10. Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers - Was better on the juice but did hit over .300 last season and remains in a good lineup at the heart of the order.
11. Paul Lo Duca, New York Mets - Hit .318 despite some nagging injuries and a nagging divorce. Hitting behind Reyes and in front of Delgado, Wright and Beltran certainly helps the numbers.
12. A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox - AJ Scumbag had a good season last year, will continue to hit in the homer friendly New Comisky and should replicate the 06 numbers.
13. Bengie Molina, San Francisco Giants - Molina puts up very good numbers when he plays. Problem is he takes way too many days off, which is highly annoying.
14. Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox - V-tek took a big downswing last season, was it because of a meriad of injuries or is he just getting up there in age. Personally I don't expect big time numbers for V-tek ever again.
15. Jason Kendall, Oakland Athletics - He'll get you a decent average, runs and more steals than any other catcher. But absolutely no power production.
16. Johnny Estrada, Diamondbacks - Hit .300+ in 3 of the last 4 seasons. Atleast he has a good chance of helping you in one category.
17. Ronny Paulino, Pittsburgh Pirates - Had a very good rookie season for the Pirates. Well atleast in average where he hit .310. Problem is he had no steals, not surprising for a catcher, and only had 6 homeruns. So if you want a 2nd catcher to stabilize your average he could be it, but don't expect bumps in anything else.
18. Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals - Yes I understand how terrible he was last season. But he's going to get consistant PT in a decent lineup. An upturn in
19. Mike Napoli, Angels - He hit .230 last year which is very ugly. But he did hit 16 home runs in 268 at bats which is a very good ratio. So this is a big time risk guy.
20. Josh Bard, Padres - Very good numbers in part time duty last season but who knows what he will do when he fills out another 200 at bats. One things for certain the absence of Piazza gives Bard the opportunity to shine.
21. Miguel Olivo, Marlins - Will hover around his numbers last season, .260 mid teens in homers, nothing special.
22. Chris Iannetta, Rockies - Perhaps will get a starting job in Colorado or could end up splitting time with the recently signed Javi Lopez. But a catcher in Coors has upside, right?
23. Greg Zaun, Toronto Blue Jays - A full time role for Zaun again in Toronto, does that mean that his numbers for last year will extrapolate out equally for 130 games instead of 90 or does that mean he will put up the .250 average he had in 2005?
24. John Buck, Royals - Ya if you have the last catcher in your league, well that pretty much sucks doesnt it. Maybe 15 homers and a .250 batting average.
1. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins - The only question mark with Mauer is when/if the power numbers are going to emerge during the season. If Mauer could improve his 2007 stats to incorporate 20+ home runs than he would move into a viable 2nd round draft pick in 2008. Until then he's simply the #1 catcher in all of fantasy.2. Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians - Martinez moves in marginally behind Mauer as he has proven over the past 3 seasons to have more power than Mauer (Two 20 Homerun seasons) with an emerging batting average. Which over the past three seasons has moved from .283, .305, to .316 last season. Both Martinez and Mauer are a few rounds above the remainder of the catchers in the league. Why? Both play in a lot of games. The Indians work in "days" off from catching for Martinez by throwing him at DH or 1B. This should continue, and Martinez should effectively end up with many more at bats than the typical Catcher.
3. Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves - Will there be a major Sophomore slump? Will McCann maintain his #5 spot in the lineup behind Andrew Jones? There have been reports saying that the 23 year old is a leader in the clubhouse.
4. Mike Piazza, Oakland A's - DH is the key word here. He doesn't have to catch and therefore should receive ample playing team and have bigger numbers than in past seasons. Perhaps the Big Hurt's numbers from 06' are too lofty and expectation but to think he can't hit .280 25 HRs with 90+ rbis is not far fetched at all.
5. Ramon Hernandez, Orioles - Knock the Orioles chances to win the division all you want, they still have a pretty good lineup and Ramon Martinez is one of the best fantasy catchers around and should finish the season with close to 20 HRs and around 90 rbis.
6. Kenji Johjima, Mariners - Great rookie season in 2006 really no reason to expect a significant decline.
7. Jorge Posada, Yankees - After many years of decline Posada had a terrific 2006 campaign. One thing that is for certain, hitting in the Yankees lineup means plenty of runs scored and RBI chances.
8. Michael Barrett, Cubs - Barrett is a very good option at the #1 catcher position especially with the increased productivity which should come in the Cubs new lineup. Now if only we can assure he doesn't punch AJ Scumbag in the face and get suspended for a significant amount of time.
9. Russell Martin, LA Dodgers - Double Digit Steals and Homers, not gonna get that out of many catchers. Perhaps he develops further in his 2nd year in the bigs.
10. Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers - Was better on the juice but did hit over .300 last season and remains in a good lineup at the heart of the order.11. Paul Lo Duca, New York Mets - Hit .318 despite some nagging injuries and a nagging divorce. Hitting behind Reyes and in front of Delgado, Wright and Beltran certainly helps the numbers.
12. A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox - AJ Scumbag had a good season last year, will continue to hit in the homer friendly New Comisky and should replicate the 06 numbers.
13. Bengie Molina, San Francisco Giants - Molina puts up very good numbers when he plays. Problem is he takes way too many days off, which is highly annoying.
14. Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox - V-tek took a big downswing last season, was it because of a meriad of injuries or is he just getting up there in age. Personally I don't expect big time numbers for V-tek ever again.
15. Jason Kendall, Oakland Athletics - He'll get you a decent average, runs and more steals than any other catcher. But absolutely no power production.
16. Johnny Estrada, Diamondbacks - Hit .300+ in 3 of the last 4 seasons. Atleast he has a good chance of helping you in one category.
17. Ronny Paulino, Pittsburgh Pirates - Had a very good rookie season for the Pirates. Well atleast in average where he hit .310. Problem is he had no steals, not surprising for a catcher, and only had 6 homeruns. So if you want a 2nd catcher to stabilize your average he could be it, but don't expect bumps in anything else.
18. Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals - Yes I understand how terrible he was last season. But he's going to get consistant PT in a decent lineup. An upturn in
19. Mike Napoli, Angels - He hit .230 last year which is very ugly. But he did hit 16 home runs in 268 at bats which is a very good ratio. So this is a big time risk guy.
20. Josh Bard, Padres - Very good numbers in part time duty last season but who knows what he will do when he fills out another 200 at bats. One things for certain the absence of Piazza gives Bard the opportunity to shine.21. Miguel Olivo, Marlins - Will hover around his numbers last season, .260 mid teens in homers, nothing special.
22. Chris Iannetta, Rockies - Perhaps will get a starting job in Colorado or could end up splitting time with the recently signed Javi Lopez. But a catcher in Coors has upside, right?
23. Greg Zaun, Toronto Blue Jays - A full time role for Zaun again in Toronto, does that mean that his numbers for last year will extrapolate out equally for 130 games instead of 90 or does that mean he will put up the .250 average he had in 2005?
24. John Buck, Royals - Ya if you have the last catcher in your league, well that pretty much sucks doesnt it. Maybe 15 homers and a .250 batting average.
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