Power Ranking the MLB Catchers: Best Offensive Seasons Since 2005

Since 2005, a new breed of catcher has arrived. Plenty of young talent has shown up and some has dazzled us beyond what we imagined. While a Mike Piazza and Javy Lopez type season hasn't happened in a while, there are still feared hitting catchers in the game today.

With Buster Posey showing up here in 2010, it seems like we haven't seen the end of it. It was hard to put the best offensive seasons in the past 5 years in order, but I did my best. Here are the top 10 offensive seasons by a catchers since 2005.

10. Buster Posey (2010)

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 08: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Atlanta Braves in game 2 of the NLDS at AT&T Park on October 8, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .305

HR: 18

RBI: 67

OBP: .357

SLG: .505

OPS: .862

He came in late, but he sure did put on a show. He did have a great rookie season, so I had to put him at number 10. While I'm not sure if he can keep it up, this season has been a fine one for him. If he does stay consistent, him and McCann will be battling it out for the best catcher in the NL.

9. Ryan Doumit (2008)

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CHICAGO - JUNE 30: Ryan Doumit #41 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits the ball against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 30, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Pirates defeated the Cubs 2-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .318

HR: 15

RBI: 69

OBP: .357

SLG: .501

OPS: .858

Ah yes, a catcher nobody has ever heard of. There's a couple of these on this list. Ryan Doumit from the Pirates. No wonder nobody has ever heard of him. He quietly turned in a very good season in 2008. Hitting for good average, decent power, and for a catcher with no protection in the lineup, drove in a decent amount of runs. His OBP could have been better but he didn't strike out that much either. Too bad he hasn't shown this type of hitting since then, hitting around .250 in both 09 and 10.

8. Russell Martin (2007)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 25: Russell Martin #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an RBI double which accounts for the game's only run in the eighth nning against the New York Mets on July 25, 2010 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers

Batting Average: .293

HR: 19

RBI: 87

OBP: .374

SLG: .469

OPS: .843

When this guy came on to the scene, he was the talk of the town. Now most have forgotten, and for good reason. Now don't get me wrong, he was a good hitting catcher the season before 2007, and the season after, but he didn't quite reach the output he gave the Dodgers in 2007. Now, he's fallen off majorly. It's a shame, the Dodgers could have used his bat.

7. Geovany Soto (2008)

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CHICAGO - JULY 03: Geovany Soto #18 of the Chicago Cubs hits a run scoring double in the 6th inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on July 3, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Reds 3-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .285

HR: 23

RBI: 86

OBP: .364

SLG: .504

OPS: .868

Outside of Chicago, this guy isn't really known at all. For me, it seemed like a one year wonder, but he has somewhat rebounded here in 2010. The 2008 season for Soto was definitely a good one and not many people know about it. He only had 300 something at bats this year, but he's made the most of it. If he gets back to 2008 form next year, Cubs fans will definitely be happy. This guy can hit.

6. Victor Martinez (2007)

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 13: Victor Martinez #41 of the Boston Red Sox bats against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on September 13, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .301

HR: 25

RBI: 114

OBP: .374

SLG: .505

OPS: .879

The only catcher on this list with multiple 100 RBI seasons. He's been a very consistent hitting catcher since coming up with Cleveland. He had an injury or two but bounced back regardless. His 07 campaign is put on this list instead of his 09 one. Since four of his offensive stats are better, it only made sense. Victor, despite being in Boston now, doesn't get a lot of recognition. Probably because of some Twins' catcher.

5. Joe Mauer (2006)

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JULY 26: Catcher Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins bats during the game against the Kansas City Royals on July 26, 2010 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .347

HR: 13

RBI: 84

OBP: .429

SLG: .507

OPS: .936

Ah yes, the famous Joe Mauer. He had to be on this list right? Of course, he's one of if not the best hitting catcher in the major leagues. Early in his career, during 2006 season, some said he was the best hitting catcher that year . I guess that could have been true, if it wasn't for a catcher in the south that was having just as a remarkable if not better season. We'll get to that later.

4. Brian McCann (2008)

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 08: Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single that scored Derrek Lee in the sixth inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants in game 2 of the NLDS at AT&T Park on October 8, 2010 in San Francisco, California.

Batting Average: .301

HR: 23

RBI: 87

OBP: .373

SLG: .523

OPS: .896

Honestly, Brian McCann's 2008 season and Joe Mauer's 2006 season are interchangeable here. McCann in 2007 had a down year, and came back strong in 08. While his batting average tends to fluctuate every year, people know he has the ability to hit .300. He's done it twice. He's also hit .281, .270, and .269 this year. The reason I think that happens is because of how the Braves offense is every year. McCann might see better pitches depending on how his teammates are doing. If he has protection, he gets good pitches to hit. Now, McCann is becoming a more patient hitter. His walks are starting to increase. In 2008, he showed the world that his career year wasn't a fluke and that he was here to stay.

3. Jorge Posada (2007)

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Jorge Posada #20 of the New York Yankees hits a RBI single in the bottom of the second inning against the Minnesota Twins during Game Three of the ALDS part of the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 9, 2010 in the Bronx

Batting Average: .338

HR: 20

RBI: 90

OBP: .426

SLG: .543

OPS: .970

While he's hit more home runs before and more RBI before, I'd still call this Posada's career year. Career high in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS is nothing short of amazing. He's apart of the core for the Yankees, and his bat is very cherished in New York. Especially since good hitting catchers are hard to come by. Who knows what will happen when Posada retires. He provides protection in the lineup and gives more of a reason to fear the Yankees sluggers.

2. Brian McCann (2006)

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ATLANTA - JUNE 19: Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves against the Kansas City Royals at Turner Field on June 19, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .333

HR: 24

RBI: 93

OBP: .388

SLG: .572

OPS: .961

There's a reason why he's on here twice. He's the best hitting catcher the NL has seen since Piazza. After 2005, McCann became the full time catcher. He didn't disappoint. While Mauer was showing the American League what he could do in 06, McCann was doing some serious work in the NL. What's crazy is that he was around 21 in 06. Now, he's just getting into his prime. With his plate discipline increasing, he might out do his 06 campaign. A big reason why he did so well in 06 is because the Braves offense was spectacular. McCann had plenty of protection. I tried to think of every reason to put McCann's 06 season at number one. In fact, I would have if McCann had 500 at bats. He would have then had close to 30 HR, definitely over 100 RBI, over a .600 slugging percentage, and over a 1.000 OPS. However, he didn't, so the catcher from Minnesota will get number one.

1. Joe Mauer (2009)

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ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 13: American League All-Star Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins swings the bat during the 81st MLB All-Star Game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 13, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .365

HR: 28

RBI: 96

OBP: .444

SLG: .587

OPS: 1.031

Just like McCann, there's a reason he's on here twice. Two amazing years will do that for you. However, this one was just utterly ridiculous. A .444 OBP? You have got to be kidding me. I don't care what anyone says, I honestly don't think his 09 power was a fluke. I still think he has the ability. A guy that hits .300 yearly with over a .400 OBP convinces me that he has the ability to hit for power. Him and McCann are the best of the best, and this 09 campaign definitely deserves number one. I don't think anyone can argue against it.