These 2014 Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings will be updated occasionally, so make sure you check back from time to time. Also, be sure to check out WalterFootball.com’s 2014 Fantasy Football Rankings articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2014 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow @walterfootball for updates.
By Bill Williams
- Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants Position+ OBP+
Perennial MVP candidate Buster Posey is the face of the Giants franchise. He�s gritty, he’s tough, he has no major flaws in his game, and he’s a clubhouse leader. Posey is a guy you can draft without worries about playing time or inconsistent play. Week in and out, you�re gonna get good numbers from this guy. Great swing, solid pop, and a great approach at the plate. There is no real reason not to draft him.
Projections: 80 R 19 HR 85 RBI 4 SB .295 AVG .380 OBP - Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians Position+
Santana is the type of player who drives me crazy. He is as streaky as any player in the league, and if you are in a head-to-head league, his ups and downs may be too hard to take. However, for most of us in a roto league, that variation tends to even out over the season to yield a pretty solid ball player. Santana plays almost every day for the Indians and generally in the heart of the lineup. He needs to improve his contact rate to reach to his potential. Unfortunately, at this point in his career, I�ve seen no signs of that happening.
Projections: 79 R 20 HR 84 RBI 4 SB .260 AVG .357 OBP - Wilson Rosario, Colorado Rockies HR+ Dynasty+
Rosario is entering the prime of his career and has hit over 20 home runs in each of the last two seasons. His .292 batting average last year is probably a bit of a mirage, but he should settle in around the .275 range. He has 30-home-run capability, plays in a hitter’s park, and should bat near the middle of the lineup, which will provide many RBI opportunities. Rosario does get a few more days off than most elite catchers however and he almost never walks.
Projections: 69 R 27 HR 81 RBI 5 SB .280 AVG .311 OBP - Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins BA+ Position+
Mauer is one of the best pure hitters in all of baseball. He doesnt provide much power, but he makes up for it by consistently being near the top of the league in average. What really hurts him are the Twins having a really lackluster offense and playing in a non-hitter-friendly park.
If Mauer played for a better team, he could be the top catcher in baseball. Devastatingly, this should be his last year qualifying as a catcher as the Twins plan to move him to first base full time in 2014. Hopefully, this doesn’t mess with his head at the plate.
Projections: 82 R 13 HR 70 RBI 3 SB .315 AVG .400 OBP - Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals BA+
Molina just passed 30, which is when some catchers really start breaking down. However, he is a sure-bet to hit over .300 again this year with a bunch of RBIs. I believe last year’s power numbers look about right, and he probably won�t top 20 ever again. Molina has turned himself into one of the best catchers in the game. His defense is top notch and you can safely select him with confidence.
Projections: 60 R 14 HR 75 RBI 2 SB .309 AVG .351 OBP - Brian McCann, New York Yankees HR+ OBP+
McCann had an excellent season last year after sustaining some injuries. He mashed 20 home runs in a little over half a season played. McCann moves from Atlanta to the Yankees this year. This can both help and hurt hum. The right-field porch is short in New York, so McCann should have no issue swatting 20 bombs again. However, playing in the Bronx can take its toll on a more low-key personality like McCann’s.
Projections: 66 R 25 HR 78 RBI 0 SB .260 AVG .330 OBP - Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals Dynasty+
Perez is a 24-year-old catcher who plays amazing defense. He’s basically a poor man�s Yadier Molina in that he will give you a solid average with about a dozen home runs while playing every day. The Royals’ offense really started to click during the second half of last season, and Perez should continue to put up solid RBI numbers if that trend continues. Perez is the last catcher you can draft pretty much knowing for sure what you are getting.
Projections: 64 R 15 HR 68 RBI 1 SB .288 AVG .325 OBP - Jason Castro, Houston Astros K-
Houston�s all-star representative last season, Castro put up excellent numbers in a position without much depth. He started hitting for a higher fly-ball percentage last season and it lead to the home runs. As with most hitters, more home runs generally equate to more strikeouts, and that was the case here. An everyday lineup spot is assured when he can handle it, and top-10 production should be expected.
Projections: 64 R 17 HR 67 RBI 3 SB .265 AVG .335 OBP - Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles
HR+
Wieters isn’t your traditional sleeper in that most people knows who he is. However, he’s going much lower in fantasy drafts then he should be. If you don’t get the top-3 catchers, waiting for Wieters (good rock band name) should pay dividends. He’s almost a lock for 20 home runs. Plus, he had an incredibly unlucky .247 average per ball in play. A rise to league average would put his regular batting average around the .270 mark, which would move him into the upper echelon of catchers.
Projections: 60 R 21 HR 80 RBI 1 SB .260 AVG .323 OBP - John Lucroy, Milwaukee Brewers
Lucroy is just a solid fantasy catcher to own. His average will wind up around .275 and he will hit 12-20 home runs. Health has been a slight concern over Lucroy”s career, but he got his 500 at bats last year. One excellent trend is that he reduced his strikeouts and increased his walk rate last year, which points to a great upcoming season for the Brew Crew catcher. Do not overpay for anyone in that offense though.
Projections: 55 R 15 HR 70 RBI 6 SB .270 AVG .322 OBP - Wilson Ramos, Washington Nationals
Ramos just can’t seem to stay healthy, which is a shame because he’s a tremendous catcher when he is in the lineup. Ramos has a short swing that generates a lot of power. He hit 16 home runs in half a season last year and should repeat those type of numbers. However, how much Ramos actually plays is anyone�s guess.
Projections: 45 R 20 HR 60 RBI 0 SB .271 AVG .320 OBP - Yan Gomes, Cleveland Indians
Gomes broke out big time for the Indians last year knocking 11 home runs while hitting close to .300. He has a lot of talent and has shortened his swing to increase his contact rate. While this has slightly hurt his power, his average is nothing to scoff at. With a full season, 20+ home runs isn’t out of the question. I don’t expect the extremely high average to continue, however he should still have a better average than most catchers can pull in.
Projections: 54 R 13 HR 57 RBI 3 SB .265 AVG .310 OBP - Evan Gattis, Atlanta Braves
K- Position+
Gattis had a stellar first half for the Braves last season, but then his power fell back to earth after pitchers got some tape on him. He never was able to adjust, and it appeared to me that Gattis has a hole in his swing. A lot of people are going to see last year’s home-run numbers and overbid. If he figures out his swing, he can return to last season’s numbers. However, his high strikeout rate and average will never be helpful in your leagues.
Projections: 58 R 18 HR 64 RBI 1 SB .251 AVG .302 OBP - A.J. Pierzynski, Boston Red Sox Dynasty-
A.J. continues to bat for a solid average. He has above-average pop and still can get it done despite being 37. Being in the Red Sox lineup shouldn’t hurt and aiming for Pesky�s Pole in Boston should definitely keep his power numbers solid. However, keep in mind Pierzynski will be sitting against left-handed pitching and will have more rest days than your average catcher.
Projections: 50 R 14 HR 70 RBI 0 SB .260 AVG .304 OBP - Miguel Montero, Arizona Diamondbacks K-
Montero is still a solid catcher, but his game has developed a lot of holes over the past few seasons. He can�t hit lefties, and his strikeout rates have increased across the past couple of years. However, Montero should be much better than the numbers he put up last season, when he got off to a horrible start and then just couldn’t stay healthy. Pick him up with low expectations and you will have a solid mid-tier catcher.
Projections: 60 R 15 HR 65 RBI 1 SB .261 AVG .333 OBP - Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Miami Marlins K-
Salty hit almost .400 on his balls put in play. There’s no way that is sustainable, so a fall in last year’s batting average should be expected. His power is legitimate, and he should be swinging a little more freely in Miami than he did in Boston. Unfortunately, this may force him to lead the league in strikeouts for catchers in 2014. Expect the RBI numbers to go down as Miami�s offense, well, it’s not good.
Projections: 61 R 16 HR 62 RBI 2 SB .254 AVG .311 OBP - Mike Zunino, Seattle Mariners
Zunino was a top prospect in the Mariners’ system headed into 2013. He ripped up the low-minor leagues before being rushed to the majors. Zunino struggled in his debut, but the club loves how he handles the pitching staff and plays defense, so he will be given every chance to succeed. Just 23 years old, if Zunino can somehow increase his contact rate and lower his strikeouts, he will be a solid catcher. If not, expect another low batting-average year.
Projections: 48 R 15 HR 55 RBI 2 SB .244 AVG .313 OBP - Russell Martin, Pittsburgh Pirates BA-
Martin once was a catcher who tried to get on base, run a bit, and score for his ball club. That was then. Today�s Russell Martin swings hard and prays for the best. This leads to quite the low batting average. However, Martin is very picky for what he swings at, so he doesn’t hurt you as much in on-base percentage leagues. 15-20 home-run potential is really his only selling point at this stage of his career.
Projections: 54 R 16 HR 55 RBI 7 SB .238 AVG .332 OBP - Alex Avila, Detroit Tigers K-
Avila had an outstanding year in 2011 and then has had two injury filled seasons. Which batter you’re gonna get this year probably falls somewhere in between. He still has plus power and plays in one of the better lineups in the league. Avila strikes out like crazy though and is the shining example of all or nothing. He will be given every opportunity to succeed.
Projections: 50 R 13 HR 56 RBI 0 SB .250 AVG .343 OBP - Geovany Soto, Texas Rangers K-
Soto is already hurt. Yep, that tells you about him. If he gets playing time, expect numbers very similar to what I just gave Alex Avila. They are basically the same dude who plays in excellent offenses. However, Soto is not guaranteed the job, so you will have to have a backup ready if you select him.
Projections: 51 R 15 HR 48 RBI 3 SB .241 AVG .327 OBP - Travis d�Arnaud, New York Mets
d�Arnaud is a guy I want you to put on your watch list. He was once a highly touted prospect but has struggled in the higher minors recently. d�Arnaud has plus power and a great eye. Unfortunately, his swing is a mess and he has been tinkering with it. If d�Arnaud finds a way to get comfortable at the plate, you could have a top-15 catcher you can draft near the last round.
Projections: 43 R 13 HR 49 RBI 2 SB .246 AVG .316 OBP - Wellington Castillo, Chicago Cubs
- AJ Ellis, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Ryan Doumit, Atlanta Braves
- Devin Mesoraco, Cincinnati Reds
- John Jaso, Oakland A�s
The following five have starting jobs, but I wouldn’t suggest them unless you are in a two-catcher league:
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2014 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/3 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/3 (Walt)
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2014 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 8/31 (Walt)
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Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
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