2012 Fantasy Baseball Additional Catcher Options

We already looked at the LestersLegends’ top 15 catchers for 2012, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t additional options if you choose to wait on filling your catcher slot to address other positions.

Russel Martin bounced back in his first year with the New York Yankees. While nobody is satisfied with his .237 batting average, his 57 runs, 18 HRs, 65 RBI and eight SBs were palatable. If he could get the average up, he would be a real nice fantasy value.

Speaking of getting his average up, Miguel Olivo hit just .224 for Seattle last year. He did score 54 runs, smack 19 HRs, collect 62 RBI and steal six bases though. Jesus Montero will catch some games, but he will primarily be used as the designated hitter.

Miami’s John Buck is in the same category. You hate his .227 batting average, but you like his 16 HRs and 57 RBI. Unlike the other guys he didn’t score many runs (41) or steal any bases.

Boston’s Jarrod Saltalamacchia is more like Buck. Horrible average (.235), decent power (16 HR, 56 RBI) and no speed. He did score 51 runs so that’s a bonus. Salty is a strikeout machine so there isn’t much hope for batting average improvement.

Albert Pujols isn’t the only new player for the Angels. Chris Iannetta was added as well. He hit .238 last year, which actually improved his lifetime average. He did add 51 runs, 14 HRs, 55 RBI and six SBs, but he was horrible away from Coors Field (.172 batting average, .587 OPS).

Pittsburgh’s Rod Barajas hit 16 HRs in 305 at bats for the Dodgers. You’ll get a poor average and little else from him though.

Philadelphia’s Carlos Ruiz can give you a decent average (.292 over the past two seasons), but he has just 36 HRs in 619 career games. There is an obvious trade-off with Ruiz.

Texas’ Yorvit Torrealba produced a solid .273-40-7-37-0 line in 396 at bats. He was suspended 66 games by the Venezuelan League for striking an ump. If Bud Selig punishes him as well, his value would take a major hit.

Also check out:

• 2012 Fantasy Baseball First Base Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Third Base Rankings
• 2012 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Rankings