Search

Great Books
Positional Ranks: Catcher Print E-mail
Written by Charlie Saponara   
Tuesday, 02 February 2010 12:50
Ahhh yes, the whafer thin catcher position.  It may look somewhat deep with names like Jorge Posada and Bengie Molina lurking around the the middle of the rankings, but name value can be deceiving.  There are a ton of question marks outside of the top three, but some interesting deep sleepers emerging from the bottom tier. 
 
Tier one
 
1. Joe Mauer
2. Victor Martinez
3. Brian McCann

Yes, I lump Joe Mauer in with V-Mart and Brian McCann.  Two reasons for that: One, regression from his astronomical 2009 season.  Two, his new outdoor home park and a list of past injury issues.  Mauer is going in the first round in mock drafts, which I would stay clear of. 
 
Tier two
 
4. Matt Wieters
5. Geovany Soto
 
If you think Matt Wieters is going to let you down once again, Thor, the god of thunder, will strike you down with lightning bolts from Mars.  OK, that's not true, but Wieters is too talented not to come on strong like he did in September last season.  Soto's WBC altered, injury plagued 2009 season should be a thing of the past as he bounces back in 2010, though not to 2008 standards.  Reports say that Soto has dropped 30-40 pounds this offseason.
 
Tier three
 
6. Russell Martin
7. Kurt Suzuki
8. Miguel Montero
9. Jorge Posada
10. Ryan Doumit
 
Another bounce back candidate, Martin may never reach the 20/20 hopes bestowed upon him early in his career.  Still, he will provide some power and speed while getting the at bats to put up solid runs and RBI numbers.  Kurt Suzuki had a small breakout season in 2009 and, while a little regression seems likely, he is a solid option at a weak position.  Miguel Montero's 425 at bats of furry last season have fantasy owners thirsty for more.  Unfortunately, to expect much more may leave owners disappointed in the end.  Montero's free swinging ways are likely to hold his AVG down to the .270-.280 range while also keeping his power numbers in check.  Jorge Posada continues to defy catcher's regression.  At age 37/38, when most catchers are either coaching or laying on their couch at home, Posada had one of his best power/AVG seasons.  Go ahead and draft him if you want, but I'm not touching a catcher who will be turning 39 in 2010.  Yet another bounce back candidate, Ryan Doumit should be 100 percent in 2010 and ready to provide value for owners willing to look past his injury plagued 2009.
 
Tier four
 
11. Mike Napoli
12. Chris Iannetta
13. A.J. Pierzynski
 
Mike Napoli and Chris Iannetta were cut from the same mold.  Both strikeout a lot and swing through pitches frequently, but both draw a decent amount of walks and hit home runs.  Napoli has had small injury issues while Iannetta has Miguel Olivo to battle off.  I would love to see both get over 500 at bats in 2010, but there is no way of predicting that now.  A.J. Pierzynski has been solid, yet unspectacular for the past few years.  He should continue to be so in 2010, though a decline could come at any time. 
 
Tier five
 
14. Bengie Molina
15. Yadier Molina
 
Name your Molina.  Nethier.  Both Bengie and Yadier have issues that limit their production.  Bengie can still hit for some power, but his heavy frame keeps his runs scored down and at age 36, with that body type, the end is near...also Buster Posey is the better player.  Yadier had a career high nine stolen bases last season, which isn't likely to be repeated.  Outside of hitting for AVG, he doesn't provide much value.
 
Tier six
 
16. Jesus Flores
17. J.R. Towels
18. Carlos Santana
19. John Baker
20. Kelly Shoppach
21. Jarrod Saltalamaccia
22. Carlos Ruiz
23. John Buck
24. Gerald Laird
25. Ramon Hernandez
26. Nick Hundley
27. Lou Marson
28. Taylor Teagarden
29. Chris Snyder
30. Miguel Olivo
 
I'll just point out some interesting notes I found while doing the projections for this group.  With full health and decent playing time both Jesus Flores and J.R. Towles should provide decent value in deeper leagues.  Carlos Santana ranks high in tier six even with the thought that he might start at AAA.  He is too good not to grab the job by sometime in May-June.  If he wins the job out of spring training, he is a must own.  Miguel Olivo just makes the cut.  That may look weird due to his 23 home runs last season.  He was signed to "back up" Chris Iannetta and his production would vary greatly from year to year anyway because of his horrible plate discipline.
 
The Master List
 
1. Joe Mauer
2. Victor Martinez
3. Brian McCann
4. Matt Wieters
5. Geovany Soto
6. Russell Martin
7. Kurt Suzuki
8. Miguel Montero
9. Jorge Posada
10. Ryan Doumit
11. Mike Napoli
12. Chris Iannetta
13. A.J. Pierzynski
14. Bengie Molina
15. Yadier Molina
16. Jesus Flores
17. J.R. Towels
18. Carlos Santana
19. John Baker
20. Kelly Shoppach
21. Jarrod Saltalamaccia
22. Carlos Ruiz
23. John Buck
24. Gerald Laird
25. Ramon Hernandez
26. Nick Hundley
27. Lou Marson
28. Taylor Teagarden
29. Chris Snyder
30. Miguel Olivo


Digg! Reddit! Facebook! Technorati! StumbleUpon! BallHype: hype it up!
Comments (6)Add Comment
...
written by MDS, February 02, 2010
how is flores doing with his rehab? im assuming his power wont be fully back after having a stress fracture in his shoulder. i havent seen anything about him all off season. no ivan rodriguez action? im hesitant to project n rank ianetta until i hear more about the teams plans for his n olivios playing time. rob johnson has to get drafted in deep 2 catcher leagues... i feel sorry for that team tho lol
...
written by Charlie Saponara, February 02, 2010
From what I gather Flores should be good to go by March. We'll have to see how the power responds.

I am projecting Iannetta for 390 at bats and Olivo for 179 right now. Hopefully we can get a better sense on how the Rockies plan to use him and Olivo later this month.

Yeah, Rob Johnson...I don't even want to think about it.
...
written by Goose Joak, February 03, 2010
Posada is a gamble in 2010. But, depending on your league, he may not be overdrafted. I'd take his downside over Kurt Suzuki's upside. Then again I like Mariano Rivera so...maybe that explains where I'm coming from.

That said I completely hear you on most of the rest of the list. Iannetta=Napoli is especially true especially in obp/slg leagues.smilies/grin.gif
...
written by Goose Joak, February 03, 2010
Also, John Buck should heretofore be known as the stout john buck. Explanation needed? I think not.
...
written by Goose Joak, February 03, 2010
Victor Martinez @ #2 makes me want to cry. I will steer clear of both him and Mauer, for the price.
...
written by Charlie Saponara, February 03, 2010
I was thinking of calling him John "the jaw" Buck.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2385/1582702676_79de08e2fa.jpg

I too will likely pass on both Mauer and V-Mart given their ADP's. More likely to go bargain hunting later in the draft.

Write comment

busy
< Prev   Next >
 

Follow Us

  

About Bloguin

Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics.

Advertisers

The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.

Bloggers Wanted

The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.

The Bloguin Login

The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account!