MLB Fantasy Baseball 2011: Five Catchers to Replace Injured Victor Martinez

Yesterday, the Tigers placed catcher/DH Victor Martinez on the 15-day disabled list with an injured groin. Martinez was the second ranked catcher on ESPN’s player rater last season, and losing his bat for any period of time hurts a team, especially given the lack of quality catchers in the game today. 

However, there are still some catchers available, who have so far produced solid numbers. Here are five catchers worth a look if you want to fill in for Martinez, or even if your first choice just isn’t working out.

Note: The number in the parentheses is the percent owned in all ESPN Fantasy Leagues.

Alex Avila (13.2)

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BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 06: Alex Avila #13 of the Detroit Tigers hits a single in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 6, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Tigers won the game 7-3. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Get

The actual catcher for the Tigers, Avila has been one of the best offensive catchers in the game and is actually outperforming Martinez so far. 

He boasts a .279/.340/.535 line with three homers and ten RBI on the young season.

Nick Hundley (48.2)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 15: Catcher Nick Hundley #4 of the San Diego Padres throws to third base against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the spring training game at Peoria Stadium on March 15, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Ge

Hundley finally has the starting position to himself in San Diego, and he has responded by absolutely destroying the ball, hitting .340 with three homers, nine RBI and 10 runs. As is the case with all Padre hitters, Hundley does have to deal with the PETCO effect, so don’t expect the 1.004 OPS to last. 

That said, he should to continue to provide nice production for a catcher.

Carlos Ruiz (54.9)

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 15: Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a double during the game against the Florida Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on April 15, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Ruiz has been a solid catching option for the past two years and this year is no exception. So far he has hit .286 with two homers, nine RBI and nine runs.

Ruiz calls Citizen’s Bank Park home, so there’s no reason to expect he can’t replicate (or even improve) last year’s numbers (.302/.400/.447, eight homers, 53 RBI).

Wilson Ramos (0.9)

Rob Carr/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 12: Catcher Wilson Ramos #3 of the Washington Nationals in action against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on April 12, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Ramos was a top ranked prospect in the Twins farm system before he was dealt to the Nationals for Matt Capps. Although he is currently sharing time with veteran Ivan Rodriguez, Ramos is simply out-producing him, and as the season moves along he should start stealing more at-bats. 

Ramos currently sports a .414/.500/.483 line in 29 at-bats.

J.R. Towles (0.1)

Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 09 : J.R. Towles #46 of the Houston Astros against the Florida Marlins in a MLB game on April 9, 2011 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Marlins won 4 to 3. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea / Getty Images)

After a strong minor league debut, Towles has bounced between the majors and minors the past few seasons, and has yet to establish that he can hit in the big leagues. However, this season he has burst out of the gate with nine hits in his first 21 at-bats, as well as a homer and three RBI. 

He missed four games with an ankle injury, but returned Tuesday night and went two-for-two with a pair of walks. Towles is currently sharing the catching duties with Humberto Quintero; however, given his youth and the quality of his bat, as long as he continues to hit he should earn himself more and more starts.