Kuzul

I have not actually done full-on rankings in a couple years on the blog. This year, I decided to take the challenge. Why not add some fun to my life and debate to the comments section? We have to start slow and Catchers seem to be a good way to do that. These are not final yet; I reserve the right to update them as we move towards the Spring and more jobs are finalized.

Know that the way I look at a player may not be how you do. My system does not place much weight on average. If a player is not killing me (i.e., Mark Reynolds hitting below .200 qualifies as killing you), there seems to be little need for me to avoid them or draft them because they hit .300. It comes to me as more of a tiebreaker. With catchers, I do not weight runs heavily. I want this position to hit some home runs, drive in runs, and hit decently. In other words, it is not where I look to win a league. Very rarely will I reach to draft the guys at the top of this board.

The position itself is deeper than you might expect. Outside of this top 15 look there are several solid sleepers that we will discuss at the end of the post. It will allow you to wait a bit longer and not look to grab a catcher too early in your drafts.

Here is how I see it:

The ranks in green are where each player ranked amongs the others at his position in 2010 in the five key categories. In blue is where I would put them heading in to 2011.

Some thoughts…

• As you can see, Mauer’s average does not play highly into my ranks. His power numbers fell off dramatically in 2010 and I do not see him as being a 20+ home run hitter. Mauer’s game is solid, but it is not enough to put him at the top for me. In my opinion you could easily flip flop Martinez and McCann at the top. Both produced extraordinary power numbers. McCann adds a few steals while V-Mart hits .300. I do not expect my catchers to steal bases, that is a bonus. Thus, edge in my book to V-Mart.
• The issue with Posada is injuries. He spent more time on the DL than he did on the field last year. With Martin and Jesus Montero ready to step in behind the plate, Posada will spend most of his time at DH. That will help his ailing shoulder injury that has caused the problems in back-to-back years. He will retain eligibility at catcher for the year still.
• I have a good feeling on Wieters this season. I know he had the hype last year, but he will come into 2011 underrated as a result of the poor showing. He hit .289 in July and .282 in September, so he can certainly perform. He has power and is going to be in a very different lineup than what was there last season. Expect him to surprise.
• Russell Martin is a player I simply have no idea on. He has been hurt regularly, lost the speed that once made him special as a catcher, and is heading to one of the hardest places to play if you do not come out of the gate hard. In fact, his average, steals, and home runs have dropped every year since 2007. Add to that, he will be pushed for the job by a rookie. In AL-only leagues, I like him more than mixed leagues. Mixed formats give too many other options.
• As much as I like Miguel Olivo and feel that he can produce, I still think that J.P. Arencibia ends up getting more time behind the plate than not. He has nothing left to prove at the minor league level and with the new management in place is likely to be given a chance to win the job in the spring.
• Best Value Selections—Buck, Soto, and Suzuki along with Wieters. Each of these four is going to be taken more towards the middle rounds of the draft, a good place to grab your catcher. None will hurt your team and all will provide value in multiple categories as you look through the season. Not one should hit below .260 and all will be in line for at least 15 home runs and 70 RBI. Steady production should not be frowned upon.
• Sleeper Selections—Carlos Santana, Arencibia, Rod Barajas. Barajas just missed my top 15. Injuries hurt him last season, and I do not think he is likely to replicate the rate at which he was hitting home runs. Still, he could be another player that goes .250/15/70. Santana was ready to explode on the scene before a horrific knee injury ended his season. The Indians expect him to be ready for the Spring and he should be set to take the starting job.
• Situation to Avoid—Boston. Jason Varitek is not an everyday catcher anymore. He is good in a part-time role, but the more he plays, the more he wears down. Jared Saltalamacchia has not been healthy a full season yet and managed to get hurt after a week in Boston. Too many risk factors. A healthy Mark Wagner may still come in and steal this job full time. A trade could also still happen. Nothing is final here.
• Situation to Watch—Pittsburgh. You might be surprised to know that Ryan Doumit still hit 13 home runs last season and drove in 45. The Pirates have added Chris Snyder who, though hitting .207, had 15 home runs and 48 RBI of his own. Not bad potential production. The concern will be the time share and/or who gets the starting job. Could be a nice late-round selection for someone to steal or waiver wire grab for the first injury that happens.
• Biggest Risk—Posada. Outside of him, I would be wary of people overdrafting Buster Posey. He had a great year and I reflected that in my rankings. I also think it will take a selection inside of the top-60 to really get him. I just am not ready to spend that on a second-year player. Just might be that it is an opinion shared by very few.

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