2011 Fantasy Baseball: Catcher Rankings

Now that we've rounded the base paths, hitting 1B, 2B, SS and 3B, it's time to slide in home. The catcher may be fantasy baseball's version of fantasy football's kicker position. Even the best in the league won't win you a fantasy pennant. When it comes to fantasy catchers there are basically three tiers: The Big 4 (no I don't mean Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax), then half a dozen guys that won't hurt you and could even help your team a bit, and finally, everybody else. The last tier is vast, and while it may unearth some hidden gems this year, keep in mind that even the best fantasy catcher in the game isn't a top 25 pick, and his stats are among the lowest you'll have on your team. That said, only you can determine how much value you wish to place in this fantasy position.

With the exception of first base, I've made some unique choices for first picks at second, third and shortstop. I could rightfully make an argument that fantasy experts selection of Joe Mauer as the first catcher overall is flawed as well. Because while there is some truth to the fact that Mauer may not be the best choice as first catcher taken, there's one reason why he has to be first...

--Tier 1 ~ The Big 4--

1. Joe Mauer, MIN~ That one reason is, potential. Despite what seemed to be a pedestrian fantasy season for Mauer, he still had a .327 average (which is also his career average), and led in most fantasy categories. Still, one need only look at his numbers from recent years to know he can be a huge asset to any fantasy team. However, you'll have to give up a late second or  early third round pick to get him in most leagues, which is why if I'm looking for a top catcher, the next couple of guys are more on my radar than Joe is.
2. Buster Posey, SF~ Either Posey or V-Mart is a great option here. You could call them 2A and 2B. I like Posey a little more because of his youth and ability to become the next Joe Mauer. In only 108 games last year the rookie hit .305 with 18 home runs. If I were to make an argument for grabbing someone before Mauer, Posey would be that guy. As a bonus he qualifies at 1B too. The best part is you can get him in round 5 or 6 in most drafts, which is why he'll be the backstop I target this season and not Mauer.
3. Victor Martinez, DET ~ After V-Mart's career started to tank a couple of seasons ago in Cleveland, a move to Beantown was just what the doctor ordered for a fantasy resurgence.  This season he moves to a more pitcher friendly park in Detriot, but he should still post very solid numbers. He may even get his 1B eligibility back.
4. Brian McCann, ATL ~ He's a career .289 hitter and he'll get you at least 20 homers. His other numbers are adequate for his position, but you can get most of that from any of the guys in the top 10 at the position. Take him if you really want him otherwise you might be best to take a chance on one of the these later options and use that 5th/6th round pick for something better.

--Tier Two ~ worth having for the later price tag--

5. Carlos Santana, CLE ~ He only played in 46 games as a rookie, but what we saw showed promise. Enough so that I like him this high in our rankings. I like him for 20 or so home runs, 75 runs and rbis and half a dozen steals. I think he can raise his average in year two to around .280. McCann type numbers 1 or 2 rounds later.

6. Geovanny Soto. CHC ~ After a breakout season in 2008, fantasy owners got rooked when he nosedived in 2009 taking their fantasy hopes with him. In 2010 he bounced part way back, showing signs of what made him look so good in his first full season. He might have done even better had he not missed about 75 games. With two out of three seasons looking very solid, 2009 seems like an anamoly. Look for a .280 average with decent power (2o HRs) and 65+ runs and RBIs.
7. Mike Napoli, TEX ~ After spending his whole career with the Angels and setting the team's home run record for catchers, he got traded to Toronto Blue Jays...for 4 days, before another trade sent him to Texas. Talk about fantasy luck. The free-swinging catcher could put up great numbers at Arlington ballpark. The question is, can he do something with his miserable batting average? I think he will get it above .250 at least. Not great, but for the power from his position, I'll take it.
8. Matt Wieters, BAL ~ Wieters regressed a bit in his first full season, but he was a highly touted prospect for a reason and I think we'll see more of what we saw from him in 2009 than 2010. At this point he's worth the risk over some of the veterans.
9. Miguel Montero, ARI ~ Montero now gets the main job all to himself in 2011. His back-up is the forgettable Henry Blanco, so look for good things from MM in the desert this year.
10. John Buck, FLA ~ Despite only playing about 120 games a season, Buck still manages to get about 20 home runs each year. In 2010 he hit 25. I think you'll get another 20 dingers from the newest fish in 2011.

--Tier Three ~ Veterans, upside youngsters, etc...--

11. John Jaso, TB ~ He only played 109 games in 2010, but he was 5th in the league in Runs among catchers. He's 27 years old this season, and I think he's worth the risk over higher profile veterans lower on this list.
12. Kurt Suzuki, OAK ~ It's never exciting but Suzuki's numbers are always palatable and consistent. Look for an average around .275 with 12-15 HRs and 60 RBIs and Runs.
13. Chris Iannetta, COL ~ With Miguel Oliva's move to Seattle, Iannetta is now the main guy for the Rox. He has all the tools any fantasy GM could ask for. he teased us with his promise in 2008. This may be his last best chance to live up to the hype.
14. J.P. Arencibia, TOR ~ With John Buck off to Florida and Mike Napoli in Texas, J.P. may just get his shot to be the primary backstop for the Blue Jays. If he is, 20+ homers would not surprise me. It's his batting average that worries me. Our own Eric Annett sees JP as a top sleeper pick for 2011.
15. Jorge Posada, NYY ~ You'll see a lot of guys ranking Posada higher than this, but he turns 40 this year, and last season he posted his worst average in over a decade. At this point in his career I'd let someone else buy the risk.
16. Carlos Ruiz, PHI ~ He had his best season so far in 2010, but that's not saying much, especially when the guy is 32 years old.
17. AJ Pierzynski, CWS ~ He's father time in fantasy years, but he remains fairly consistent for teams that need 2 catchers or that are in deep leagues.
18. Josh Thole, NYM ~ In his 90 games so far for the Mets, Thole has a .286 average. So far that's all we've really seen, but he could be a surprise in 2011.
19. Yadier Molina, STL ~ You won't get a lot or runs or power, but he won't hurt you too bad as a secondary catcher or back up.
20. Ryan Doumit, PIT ~ He's a career .268 hitter, but outside one great season he's more like .250. He'll get ya 10 home runs but that's about it.