2014 Fantasy Baseball Guide: Catchers

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It is that time of year again. Pitchers and catchers have reported for spring training and I am starting to get excited for baseball and fantasy baseball again. Of course, I am one that completely separates the real game of baseball and fantasy baseball. While wins above replacement (“WAR”), is a great indicator of how much a player is worth to his team and a useful tool in comparing players at a position, fantasy baseball is a little different. As the name of the game implies, it is fantasy and not reality. Whether it is the standard 5X5 league (runs, homeruns, steals, RBIs, average/wins, Ks, ERA, WHIP, Saves) or a league with more expanded stats, the key in fantasy is being able to put together a combination of players to be one of the best in each statistical category. As such, my rankings are based on how I believe a player will perform from a fantasy perspective primarily based on a 5X5 roto league.

My strategy on catchers this year is simple: punt. It is just not worth a high draft pick to get one of the big name catchers. The days of Mike Piazza and Ivan Rodriguez putting up elite fantasy statistics as catchers are long over. The catchers today just do not generate enough of a difference in terms of statistics from the other catchers to make a huge difference on your team. In fact, you may hurt your team by burning a high draft pick based on a name rather than actual production. I would not even consider drafting a catcher until the 10th round and it would need to be one of the top four on this list. I would also be comfortable just waiting to the last pick or not drafting one at all. You can always stream the hot hand off the waiver wire to get your 15-20 homeruns at catcher.

1. Wilin Rosario, Colorado Rockies (2013: .292 average (“AVG”)/ 63 runs (“R”)/ 21 homeruns (“HR”)/  79 runs batted in (“RBIs”)/ 4 stolen base (“SB”))

Do I think Rosario is the best catcher in baseball? No. On the other hand, I definitely think he is the most likely catcher to hit over 20 homeruns. He hit 21 homeruns last year and 28 homeruns two years ago in his only two full seasons in the major leagues. He also hit 21 and 32 homeruns in the minor leagues in 2010 and 2011. Moreover, he is a power hitting catcher that does not hurt your average as he has batted .270 and .292 in the past two seasons. Playing in Coors Field is definitely a plus for him as a hitter. Playing for the Colorado Rockies is the reason his production goes under the radar. The bigger names at catcher will probably go before him but Rosario can be a steal if you grab him in round 10 or later.

2. Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants (2013: .294 AVG/ 61 R/ 15 HR/ 72 RBIs/ 2 SB)

Posey is in the argument for the best catcher in baseball. In 2012, he had a MVP season batting .336, 24 homeruns, and 103 RBIs. However, he is exhibit A on why you should not burn a high draft pick on a catcher. If he puts up his 2012 production, he is worth it. However, he plays in a pitcher’s ballpark on a bad offense. His 2013 statistics are always a possibility. If an outfielder put up those stats, he would be a waiver wire pickup. Of course, it does not mean he is still not a great offensive player. He had a .377 on base percentage which is tremendous for a catcher. However, it is not relevant in fantasy baseball unless your league counts OBP instead of average. Nevertheless, he should be around a .290+ batting average, 20+ homeruns, and 80+RBIs in most years which still makes him a top fantasy catcher. I just would not waste a high round draft pick on him when I can get more predicatble top production at another position.

3. Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals (2013: .319 AVG/ 68 R/ 12 HR/ 80 RBIs/ 3 SB)

Molina and Posey are generally regarded as the best two catchers in baseball. I agree with that assessment in terms of real baseball. Molina is definitely the best defensive catcher in the game. He has really improved his offensive game as he was never expected to be anything more than an average hitter. He has hit over .300 in each of the last three seasons. He had one great fantasy season at catcher in 2012 batting .315 with 22 homeruns, 76 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases. He is in a deep lineup so he should be good for .300+ average, about 15 homeruns, and 70+ RBIs. I normally like to see more power but I also value certainty and he is a good bet to hit .300 with 70+ RBIs. However, he will definitely be drafted way higher than I think his production merits.

4. Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians (2013: .268 AVG/ 75 R/ 20 HR/ 74 RBIs/ 3 SB)

Santana is a much better offensive player in real life than for fantasy purposes because of his low batting average but high on base percentage. He has walked over 90 times in each of the last three seasons and has a great on base percentage. He is also a sure thing in terms of hitting about or over 20 homeruns and driving in 74 RBIs since he hits in a deep, powerful AL offense. His average hurts him slightly in fantasy baseball. However, you can move him right to the top of this list if your league counts OBP or walks. He will also be playing less at catcher this season which should take some strain off his body and improve his production. Fantasy players will pick Posey or Molina instead of Santana if they prefer batting average over more power. My choice is Santana. He is usually available in the 8th round and I normally consider breaking my round 10 catchers rule for him.

5. Brian McCann, New York Yankees (2013: .256 AVG/ 43 R/ 20 HR/ 57 RBIs/0 SB)

McCann is a sure 20 homeruns at catcher. He has hit 20 in 7 of the last 8 seasons (18 in 2007). He is a .277 career hitter. However, his batting average has dipped to .235 and .256 the last two seasons. The .235 is an aberration but he is probably closer to a .260 hitter now rather than his career average. His stats will be helped playing in Yankee stadium where he can hook flyballs to right for some more homeruns. He will also benefit from being in the American League which allows him to stay in the lineup more as he can DH.

6. Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee Brewers (2013: .280 AVG/ 59 R/ 18 HR/ 82 RBIs/9 SB)

Lucroy has shown good power with a good average. In only 96 games in 2012, he hit 12 homeruns and batted .320. He upped his numbers to 18 homeruns and 82 RBIs last year in a full season. He also swiped 9 bases. 20/10 with a .280+ batting average and 80+ RBIs is excellent fantasy production from the catcher position. While the steals could be an aberration, the other numbers should be expected from Lucroy.

7. Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles (2013: .235 AVG/ 59 R/ 22 HR/ 79 RBIs/2 SB)

Wieters is a sure 20 homerun hitter as he has eclipsed that mark in each of the past 3 seasons. He also hits in a deep, powerful lineup so he is also a sure 70+ RBIs. On the other hand, he killed batting averages last year. However, he is career .255 hitter. While it is not great, it is acceptable for the power he provides. I would expect .250, 20+ homeruns, and 70+ RBIs.

8. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins (2013: .324 AVG/ 62 R/ 11 HR/ 47 RBIs/0 SB)

Mauer is a great baseball player but he is way overrated for fantasy purposes. He has only had one great fantasy season in 2009 when he hit 29 homeruns. Other than that, he is a one trick pony in fantasy that provides only a high batting average at catcher. Although he will get more time at first base which should keep him fresh, he plays on a bad team that will not provide him many RBI situations. He is Ichiro without the steals, which makes him a mediocre fantasy option.

9. Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals (2013: .292 AVG/ 48 R/ 13 HR/ 79 RBIs/ 0 SB)

While he has not been as good as first expected, he is solid as he will hit around .300 and will drive in his share of RBIs in a young, up and coming offense. If he can improve on his power, he will be an elite option.

10. A.J. Pierzynski, Boston Red Sox (2013: .272 AVG/ 48 R/ 17 HR/ 70 RBIs/ 1 SB)

Pierzynski’s power surged two years ago with 27 homeruns. He added 17 homeruns last year. He is a veteran that is a boring pick because you know what you will get and he does not have much more upside. He will bat .270+ with 15+ homeruns and 70+RBIs. Hitting in a devastating lineup in Fenway Park will help him maintain or better his stats. Although some fantasy players like the allure of drafting a young player with upside, it is better to wait for a consistent veteran like Pierzynski who falls unassumingly in the draft but gives certain production.

Young Guns

* Wilson Ramos, Washington Nationals; Yan Gomes, Cleveland Indians; Juan Castro, Houston Astros

These three players are very similar to me. Their numbers are almost identical (.270+ average, 15+ homeruns, and 60+ RBIs). Yan Gomes is a trendy sleeper pick. He hit 11 homeruns in 88 games and batted .298. He will also be the primary catcher so Carlos Santana’s bat can be saved from the wear and tear. I would not reach too far on Gomes. He strikes out a lot more than he walks. His extrapolated stats are very impressive but it rarely works that way. He should be productive. Just do not expect the world. If you miss out on him, Ramos and Castro should give the same production.

Power Hitters, Average Killers

* Russell Martin, Pittsburgh Pirates; J.P. Arencibia, Texas Rangers; Evan Gattis, Atlanta Braves

These guys will kill your average. Martin does not have as much power but he can steal some bases. Arencibia has a ton of power but he just does not make contact enough. Gattis flashed big time power in the first half but then struggled mightily in the second half. I would not draft any of these guys. You have to stream them when they are hot.

Comeback Candidate

* Miguel Montero, Arizona Diamondbacks (2013: .230 AVG/ 44 R/ 11 HR/ 42 RBIs/ 0 SB)

Montero was terrible last year. However, he had excellent fantasy seasons for a catcher the two preceding years. In 2011, he batted .282 with 18 homeruns and 86 RBIs. In 2012, he batted .286 with 15 homeruns and 88 RBIs. If you can get him late in the draft, he is worth a flier.

Sleeper Pick

*Travis d’Arnaud, New York Mets

Being in New York, I hear the hype over d’Arnaud. He was great in the minor leagues. He showed power, hit for average, and had a high on base percentage. He was the key prospect acquired by the Mets in the R.A. Dickey trade. The Mets expect a lot out of him. However, he missed most of last season. Expectations should be tempered. While he may be great in time, I would not count on it for this season.

 

Pat Wong

About Pat Wong

Patrick is a contributor for Rookerville. He is an avid sports fan. Before joining Rookerville, he was part of a defunct New York Yankees message board, NYYankeefans, where he was its top poster and was inducted in its Hall of Fame for his contributions. Patrick is also a passionate fan of movies. He has enjoyed reading movie reviews over the years and is excited about the opportunity to review movies.

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