Catcher Rankings: August 10, 2008

Catchers are tricky skill sets: many catchers have low batting averages and do little to help out significantly in any statistical area. However, if you pick the right catchers down the stretch, the small numbers they contribute could become the difference between finishing first and second in your fantasy baseball league.

Here are my catcher rankings, as of August 10th! Key stats and a small blurb are included for each player.

1. Brian McCann (Atlanta Braves): .305, 21 HR, 3 SB

If there is a catcher that has it all, it’s McCann, and I expect him to be the top catcher from here through the end of the season. He already has a stunning 21 HR this season: look for at least 6 more. McCann is like a fudge sundae - and he’ll add another stolen base or two like a cherry on top.

2. Russell Martin (Los Angeles Dodgers): 11 SB, 61 R, .290

This year’s consensus top catcher has done a fine, fine job of delivering serviceable stats. Problem is, many fantasy owners just picked Martin without thinking too much in the fifth or sixth round. Note to all fantasy owners: don’t reach for a catcher as high next year! That being said, he is a fine, fine producer at the position, and should add some homeruns (3-6) and even more stolen bases (5-7) before everything is said and done.

3. Ryan Doumit (Pittsburgh Pirates): .332, 12 HR, 289 AB

What a sweet waiver wire find we have here…those who jumped on the Doumit bandwagon were rewarded nicely! He won’t steal much, and that batting average is too good to be true: expect a slight decline to a nice finishing batting average of around .310. You have to love the pop though: a nice five home runs to finish out the season never hurts!

Ohh baby, if only Doumit had a full season of at-bats. Doh!

4. Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins): .316, 69 R, 54 RBI

People love Mauer, but I think he is one of the most boring superstars in baseball. Seriously, when you bat in the middle of an underappreciated Minnesota lineup, who takes notice? The clock is on: when this guy gets to the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox, he’ll finally get the attention he deserves.

I digress, however. Mauer is a fantastic option as the fourth best catcher on this list. He is a big time run and RBI producer, and will actually help your batting average. Unlike Doumit, he should be able to maintain his batting average, and should produce nicely down the stretch.

5. Bengie Molina (San Francisco Giants): 65 RBI, 9 HR, .278

Sure, I could have put Soto here. Going out on a loop, but I believe that Molina will actually deliver a significant amount of value to owners down the stretch. His BA won’t hurt you, and he has a bit of pop and a prime RBI spot in the middle of that weak SF lineup. Look for big time contributions in the RBI department, and he should add 5-6 more home runs before the season is up.

6. Geovany Soto (ChC): Love the early season production, but he has to slow down a little bit as the weather gets cold.
7. Ivan Rodriguez (NYY): The NYY lineup is stronger than the DET lineup, and he should find a nice niche here as the main guy…love the opportunities for production.
8. Ramon Hernandez (BAL): His BA isn’t the greatest, but he has a great pop bat and delivers the clutch hits for RBI opportunities.
9. AJ Pierzynski (CWS): Good all around statistics, but the CWS lineup may slow down as the weather gets colder.
10. Gerald Laird (TEX): Has anyone been hotter? Great young bat and will steal some time from Saltalamacchia down the stretch.
11. Victor Martinez (CLE): Has major power upside down the stretch as he tries to bounce back from injuries. See if you can roster him now.
12. Dioner Navarro (TB): Love my Rays, but he is merely solid in batting average and RBIs.
13. Kurt Suzuki (OAK): Shouldn’t hurt your BA, but he is also just a catcher placeholder.
14. Jeff Clement (SEA): Love his young bat, but he may be a full-timer just a tad early in his career. Save him for 2009.
15. John Buck (KC): Buck and Olivo make a nice platoon, and both have nice power. Take your pick.