2010 Fantasy Baseball Position Rankings- Catcher & DH

There was a time, not very long ago, where you needed to go huge in auction cash or high draft picks if you wanted a catcher who could contribute. Many owners simply punted the position and went with whatever $1 scrub or last round pick that might hit above the Mendoza Line. The times, as Dylan said, they are a'changin' at the catcher position. Now there is no reason for any fantasy lineup (except in freaky twenty team leagues) to go without at least one backstop who can help in a category or three. It is time to shed the tools of ignorance, boys and girls, and let those catchers hit...

Top Tier Starters (8)- You will get decent-to-good production in four of five categories with these guys, and one helps in all five. For the cream of the crop you will need to commit significant resources, but you will still get help further on down the line.

1 Joe Mauer (.334 BA, 20 HR, 85 RBI, 91 Runs, 4 SB) Best offensive catcher to come along since Mike Piazza in his prime. While we do not yet know what the new Twins park will do to his HR totals, rest assured that the rest of Mauer's numbers will remain worthy of top tier consideration regardless of position.

2. Victor Martinez (.303 BA, 20 HR, 91 RBI, 85 Runs, 0 SB) Let's see, put up big numbers on a mediocre Cleveland team, goes to Fenway in the prime of his career, and his manager is talking about getting him time at first base so he bets more AB's. Yep, he's worth the cost.

3. Brian McCann (.288 BA, 23 HR, 92 RBI, 68 Runs, 4 SB) Remember when a catcher with numbers like these was all the rage come draft day? Now he's the third ranked guy here. Like I said, the times they are a'changin'. McCann's numbers are equal to a good everyday fantasy outfielder.

4. Russell Martin (.274 BA, 12 HR, 68 RBI, 81 Runs, 14 SB) The only catcher who will really help your running game. Just be aware that he may run less to conserve his body and bat more, which would not be a bad thing. He's a legitimate plus as a hitter as well.

5. Matt Wieters (.288 BA, 16 HR, 62 RBI, 66 Runs, 1 SB) All four of the remaining top tier catchers are pretty close in projected production, but only Wieters has the upside to significantly beat his projection.

6. Jorge Posada (.283 BA, 17 HR, 75 RBI, 58 Runs, 1 SB) He won't catch as much, but he will be in the lineup somewhere, which should help his numbers. Less catching + more AB's = better numbers.

7. Kurt Suzuki (.274 BA, 12 HR, 68 RBI, 68 Runs, 5 SB) No competition means no platoon possibility or benching. Suzuki will pile up AB's and counting numbers for a catcher.

8. Miguel Montero (.270 BA, 17 HR, 68 RBI, 64 Runs, 1 SB) Would rank higher than Suzuki based on upside, but ranks behind him due to being one bad slump away from a platoon with Chris Snyder. You just never know with catchers- the demands of the position are so tough on hitting.

Second Tier Starters (8)- While not reaching the level of top tier production, this next level still brings some offense to the dish, making them all more than acceptable starters in large leagues and outstanding backstops in smaller, two catcher, ones.

9. Bengie Molina (.265 BA, 16 HR, 72 RBI, 44 Runs, 0 SB) So what if he is the most overrated player in baseball? So what if his coach has a fetish for old guys. So what if you, I, and every other sentient being in the universe would say goodbye to Bengie and start Buster Posey? We do not fill out the Giants lineup card, so Bengie will gets tons of AB's and collect numbers that are great for fantasy and superficial in real baseball.

10. Mike Napoli (.264 BA, 20 HR, 61 RBI, 64 Runs, 5 SB) Memo to Mike Scoscia- OK, I know Jeff Mathis is a pretty decent second catcher for the Angels of Southern California, but do you have to give him so many of Napoli's AB's? Napoli might be a top five catcher with normal starting catcher AB's.

11. A.J. Pierzynski (.278 BA, 13 HR, 51 RBI, 61 Runs, 1 SB) Looking for a safe catching harbor? Dock in Port Pierzynski.

12. Geovany Soto (.268 BA, 16 HR, 65 RBI, 57 Runs, 1 SB) Nice bounceback year in the works, if he reports to camp weighing less than Navy Pier.

13. Ryan Doumit (.282 BA, 13 HR, 60 RBI, 57 Runs, 2 SB) Pittsburgh has shopped him around. He will be a first baseman wherever he lands, but he is a catcher this year in fantasy, so enjoy the enhanced production.

14. Yadier Molina (.287 BA, 7 HR, 57 RBI, 46 Runs, 4 SB) Nicer than his fantasy brother Pierzynski, better real player than older brother Bengie.

15. Chris Iannetta (.253 BA, 15 HR, 60 RBI, 53 Runs, 0 SB) What, did he run over his manager's cat or something? He's a much better player than Yorvit Torrealba, and this year he earns more AB's.

16. Kelly Shoppach (,245 BA, 16 HR, 57 RBI, 53 Runs, 0 SB) Out of Cleveland, which means more HR's for Tampa Bay. The BA may fluctuate drastically, but the power will always be there.

Top Tier Backups (8)- Even this far down the pecking order for catchers you will find acceptable numbers in a category or two. Be warned- BA and SB aren't those categories.

17. Miguel Olivo (.243 BA, 16 HR, 56 RBI, 43 Runs, 5 SB) You will not find many catchers from here on in who will not hurt you in BA, so you might as well get one that helps in the power categories. The steals are a nice little bonus, too.

18. Buster Posey (.274 BA, 7 HR, 42 RBI, 40 Runs, 2 SB) You might have to wait a couple of months for Buster, but it will be worth it in the second half of the season. At least it should be in a sane world, but whoever said SF manager Broce Bochy was sane?

19. John Baker (.266 BA, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 52 Runs, 0 SB) Pair Baker with Pierzynski and you have the most boring- and steadily productive- catching pairings in your league.

20. Jeff Clement (.263 BA, 14 HR, 63 RBI, 55 Runs, 0 SB) these numbers are based on the assumption that Clement winds up playing a decent amount of first base. If he does, he will give you some nice catching production for minimal cost. His bat can play in the bigs.

21. Ivan Rodriguez (.264 BA, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 47 Runs, 4 SB) He's not Pudge anymore, but Ivan Rodriguez is a pretty decent fantasy backup catcher.

22. Ramon Hernandez (.256 BA, 10 HR, 53 RBI, 42 Runs, 1 SB) On the downhill slope, but Great American Ballpark helps mask the decline and gives you acceptable backup numbers.

23. Dioner Navarro (.252 BA, 8 HR, 42 RBI, 41 Runs, 3 SB) What happened last year? He'll improve in 2010 to backup-worthy status.

24. Carlos Ruiz (.246 BA, 7 HR, 43 RBI, 41 Runs, 3 SB) He's no starter. Don't expect too much and you won't be let down.

Second Tier Backups (8)- Lot of risk this far down, but at least two of these catchers will have as good of seasons as those in the second tier of starters. Hope you pick one of them!

25. Jesus Flores (.254 BA, 9 HR, 57 RBI, 40 Runs, 0 SB) Two serious injuries last year leave him in limbo. I think he makes it back and am willing to spend a buck to find out.

26. Alex Avila (.258 BA, 11 HR, 48 RBI, 42 Runs, 0 SB) Stuck behind a no-hitting hack (Gerald Laird). That won't last long...

27. Ronny Paulino (.257 BA, 7 HR, 32 RBI, 31 Runs, 1 SB) Wrong side of a platoon with John Baker, but maybe a better hitter. Worth having on your bench for the AB's he will get, and maybe worth starting if Baker goes down.

28. Chris Snyder (.238 BA, 10 HR, 42 RBI, 35 Runs, 0 SB) A trade or an injury to Montero moves Snyder up into top tier backup status, at the very least.

29. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.248 BA, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 41 Runs, 0 SB) Anyone think that, when Texas made the Teixiera trade with Atlanta, that this would be the worst player they got in return?

30. Rod Barajas (.236 BA, 13 HR, 46 RBI, 40 Runs, 0 SB) Don't pay attention to the BA if you look for him as a backup. Pay attention to the HR's.

31. John Buck (.232 BA, 11 HR, 43 RBI, 36 Runs, 0 SB) I wonder if their mothers can tell the difference between John Buck and Rod Barajas?

32. Yorvit Torrealba (.252 BA, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 32 Runs, 1 SB) Did this guy hit a ball more than 250 feet last year?

Five to Watch- No position has more exciting young prospects (not even including Wieters and Posey) with huge fantasy implications than catcher. Yes, you read that right, so follow these five guys very closely in 2010...

33. Jesus Montero- A no-doubt stud as a hitter, a big ol' doubt as a defensive catcher. But we don't care about defense. If the Yankees bring him up, get him. Remember, this is a guy they refused to include in talks for Roy Halliday- that means a lot.

34. Carlos Santana- Not only is he the greatest guitarist of our time, but he can hit the heck out of a baseball, too. May get his shot sooner than later.

35. Tyler Flowers- Might impact fantasy baseball before the two guys ahead of him, as there is a roster spot for him. If he hits, he'll play, and he looks like he can hit.

36. Jason Castro- Will give you a little bit above average of everything when he gets his shot.

37. Adam Moore- Might play a role sooner than anyone else on this list, as being behind Rob Johnson means it isn't exactly Johnny Bench ahead of him.

Designated Hitters

A pretty barren year for a position that usually has two or three hitters worth considering...

1. Julio Borbon (.286 BA, 6 HR, 43 RBI, 75 Runs, 35 SB) Probably qualifies as an OF in many leagues (21 games at DH, 20 as OF). He will get OF qualification in 2010, and would be a great #4 and could serve as a #3 if you need SB. The only player listed here that could help you win a particular category by himself.

2. Vlad Guerrero (.295 BA, 23 HR, 84 RBI, 67 Runs, 3 SB) Well, here's the reason Borbon won't be a DH this year. Texas put some good money into Vlad coming back, and it was a good investment. Hitters like him go fast when they lose bat speed, but Vlad still has a year or two of decent impalement in him.

3. David Ortiz (.263 BA, 25 HR, 88 RBI, 81 Runs, 0 SB) No longer the undisputed king of DH's, but he can still help in the power department. Just don't go for the name- he's declining pretty fast.

4. Hideki Matsui (.279 BA, 17 HR, 74 RBI, 67 Runs, 1 SB) Going to Seattle makes for a nice story, but it will hurt his power numbers a great deal. Still will drive in Ichiro some and keep a decent BA.

5. Luke Scott (.262 BA, 21 HR, 68 RBI, 63 Runs, 1 SB) Another player who probably qualifies in the OF in your league. Look at him as a solid #4 with potential to help as a #3 if he is getting AB's.

6. Jim Thome (.253, BA, 23 HR, 70 RBI, 61 Runs, 0 SB) Near the end of a great run. With all the revelations of power hitters on steroids, he rivals Griffey as the true power hitter of their generation. Might be worth a cheap bench spot to see if he has one more glorious moment in him.

7. Pat Burrell (.252 BA, 18 HR, 68 RBI, 60 Runs, 1 SB) Speaking of generations, Pat Burrell and Rafael Furcal will go down as the two players from theirs who had all sorts of talent, everyone expected huge things from, had good careers, and will be seen as underachievers. Where history places them among the Ken Harrelsons, Rick Mondays, Gary Templetons, and Tony Fernandezes, of the world is another article. For 2010 fantasy purposes, Burrell's a waste. Put your resources elsewhere.

8. Mike Jacobs (.244 BA, 21 HR, 66 RBI, 54 Runs, 1 SB) Have 20 HR, will travel. A sneaky backup 1B play if he qualifies.

9. Travis Hafner (.249 BA, 15 HR, 63 RBI, 53 Runs, 0 SB) Injuries (and perhaps other things- he did come out of the Texas organization) have robbed him of all value.

10. Marcus Thames (.243 BA, 16 HR, 45 RBI, 37 Runs, 1 SB) If he qualifies as an OF and gets AB's, you could do worse as your last OF bat.

11. Andruw Jones (.233 BA, 12 HR, 38 RBI, 37 Runs, 2 SB) Let someone else spend $1 on the name. His bat's not even worth that.

Next up- the outfielders!