Fantasy Baseball: Top 25 Catchers Printable Cheat Sheets
Top Three Catchers Above the Rest: Focus on AB's when Finding a Catcher
Another thing to consider with catchers is the dreaded platoon situation. A good hitting catcher is worth their price in gold if they play in the American League. In the AL there is a better chance they will play as a designated hitter on the days they are not crouching behind the plate. The other benefit is that they will save their legs an be fresh.
No.1 Joe Mauer; Minnesota Twins
Joe Mauer is not going to bang out over 20 home runs every season but a fantasy baseball owner that expects 15 homers and a .310 to .320 average will not be disappointed. Mauer is head and shoulder above any catcher not in the top four and is worth an early pick.
No.2 Buster Posey: San Francisco Giants
No one had Buster Posey on their catchers list last season. The rookie catcher is a shining example of why watching the waiver wire daily is essential to advancing to a championship in fantasy baseball. Those owners that jumped on Posey early in the season were rewarded with impressive stats from the rookie.
No.3: Victor Martinez: Detroit Tigers
Victor Martinez is another catcher that hits for average and power. His move to the Detroit Tigers may cost some home run numbers but his average will increase. Look for Martinez to be a productive member of any fantasy baseball team.
No.4 Brian McCann: Atlanta Braves
Brian McCann is a perfect find because he plays both catcher and first base for the Atlanta Braves. McCann will have fresh legs coming down the stretch in crunch time and will have the potential of becoming the top fantasy baseball catcher.
No.5 Carlos Santana: Cleveland Indians
Carlos Santana fantasy baseball owners will also benefit from the Cleveland Indians playing him at first base to save his legs for a longer career behind the plate. One caveat with Santana is his potential knee issues although he has been given a clean bill of health.
No.6 Jorge Posada: New York Yankees
Jorge Posada is in decline and this ranking of sixth may turn out to be a little generous. If Posada is next on the board to select as an option in a fantasy baseball draft be careful and weigh the options.
No.7 Geovany Soto: Chicago Cubs
Geovany Soto projects out for 15 home runs and 60-70 RBI's this season. His mid .260 average is what drops him to seventh otherwise he would be ranking in the top five.
No,8 Miguel Montero: Arizona Diamondbacks
Miguel Montero brings a good solid average up around the .290 mark but his production numbers are not up to snuff. Montero did not break into double digits in home runs last season.
No.9 Matt Wieters: Baltimore Orioles
Matt Wieters is another catcher that is pedestrian at best. He will hit for just above a .260 average and he will hit about 8-12 home runs. Weiters may see around 450-480 at bats this season.
No.10 Kurt Suzuki: Oakland A's
Kurt Suzuki told Associated Press he was in the best shape of his career and if he can improve on his numbers he will be a top five fantasy baseball catcher for 2011. Suzuki's production tailed off in 2010 and he could be surprise in 2011.
No.11 Mike Napoli: Texas Rangers
Mike Napoli has always had the potential to do well in a situation where he is given 500 at bats. He knocked 26 home runs in 2010 when given 500 at bats. 26 homers at the catcher position is a huge advantage if a fantasy baseball owner has some hitters that have strong averages.
No.12 Yadier Molina: St Louis Cardinals
Yadier Molina is not much of a home run hitter but he does average 65 RBI's per season. Molina is decent hitting for average. In 2008 and 2009 he hovered around the .300 mark all season long.
No.13 Carlos Iannetta: Colorado Rockies
The time is now for Carlos Iannetta to prove he belongs in the majors. Miguel Olivo is gone and now Iannetta will be getting plenty of at bats. Could he be this years Buster Posey?
No,14 Carlos Ruiz: Philadelphia Phillies
Carlos Ruiz can help a fantasy baseball team bring up their average. He hit over .300 last season and Ruiz is slightly below average in the production department.
No.15 Rod Barajas: Los Angeles Dodgers
Looking for power behind the plate? You may want to move Rod Barajas up on the catchers board for the fantasy baseball draft. Barajas hit 17 homers playing as a platoon player and now he will see many more at bats.
No.16 A.J., Pierzynski: Colorado White Sox
A.J., Pierzynski is a catcher for a desperate fantasy baseball owner looking for a possible backup if he has an injury prone catcher.
The rest of the catchers available for the 2011 fantasy baseball draft have a few possible gems. Keep an eye on Jeff Mathis and Nick Hundley.
No,.17 Jon Buck; Florida Marlins
No.18 John Jaso: Tampa Bay Rays
No.19 Ryan Doumit: Pittsburgh Pirates
No.20 Jeff Mathis: Los Angeles Angels
No.21 Russell Martin: New York Yankees
No.22 Miguel Olivo: Seattle Mariners
No.23 Nick Hundley: San Diego Padres
No.24 R Hernandez: Cincinnati Reds
No.25 J.P. Arencibia: Toronto Blue Jays
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Statistical sources:
USA Today
Published by Todd Jacobs
Todd Jacobs is from Anaheim, California and resides in the city of Las Vegas. Todd worked for Orange Coast Magazine as News Editor in the 80s and recently began writing for several online sites including:... View profile
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