Fantasy Baseball: Catcher Rankings

Breaking into the rankings with catchers isn't the sexiest of options. Owners draft them, they start them, but no one really enjoys them as players. Catchers tend to play fewer games than most other major positions.

Worse, on average, they don't produce at the same levels. 

Keeping this in mind, drafting them properly is a key component to your team. Outside of the top-three or four, the position produces relatively similar stats across the spectrum. As you get further down the list, everyone becomes a reach or a prayer. 

Here's how I rank the catchers from one to 20. Notes follow at the bottom as to what we think of various individuals on the list itself.

1. Brian McCann
2. Geovany Soto
3. Joe Mauer
4. Russell Martin
5. Ryan Doumit
6. Victor Martinez
7. Mike Napoli
8. Jorge Posada
9. Chris Ianetta
10. Ramon Hernandez
11. Bengie Molina
12. A.J. Pierzynski
13. Matt Wieters
14. Dioner Navarro
15. Jeff Clement
16. Kelly Shoppach
17. Yadier Molina
18. Chris Snyder
19. Kurt Suzuki
20. Brandon Inge

Notes

• I wouldn't put any of these catchers inside my top-40 overall. They all have skill, but unless you are in a two-catcher league, I'd wait in the early rounds. If the top-four are sitting there in round six, then you should take a harder look at them.
• See the huge division in talent? We're discussing upsides and rebounds earlier here than in any other position on the board.
• Chris Ianetta should be given the bulk of the duties at catcher for Colorado. He's my dividing point on the draft board. His numbers represented about the average across all catchers in 2008.
• Victor Martinez will likely qualify at first and catcher during the season. He'll DH some as well. The Indians saw Kelly Shoppach knock 21 home runs and will certainly attempt to get him at-bats over the season. The playing time in Cleveland will be divided not only at catcher, but through players such as Ryan Garko, Shin-Soo Choo, and Travis Hafner.
• You can't look at a website without seeing Matt Wieters' name. The highly-touted prospect is still not assured of starting the season with the Orioles, and could spend a month in AAA. A lot of pressure has been heaped on his shoulders. Keep expectations down, as he may not be an all-star overnight. He's a solid prospect, but still unproven and hasn't played beyond AA.
• The position is littered with potential beyond this list, as Taylor Teagarden, Miguel Montero, Jarrod Saltalamachhia, and others didn't make the top-20 but could have an impact in 2009. Jeff Clement is still a prospect, but has the bat to produce at a high-level as well.
• Ryan Doumit finally broke out last season, and he enters as my number five catcher. My concern comes more in looking at the Pirates lineup post-trade deadline. Once Xavier Nady and Jason Bay left, pitchers didn't take the young stars as seriously. Doumit could become easier to pitch around.
• There is a big difference on this list between the top-three and anyone outside of the rankings. For that reason, if you have to draft two catchers, upgrade highly-touted names on your lists accordingly. It would certainly push McCann and potentially Soto into that fourth round.
• Dioner Navarro hasn't provided a huge lift for power numbers, but does hit near .300. Given he missed a portion of last season with an early injury, you could do worse than looking at his performance in the Tampa lineup. He has sticks around him and sometimes the best you can ask from a position is to help you in one major area...and not drastically hurt you.

That covers the backstops. Our next installments will see us start to make our way around the infield.