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View Full Version : Fantasy Baseball Preview: Top 20 Catchers


McCarroll21
01-31-2008, 06:44 AM
<table class="tborder" border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="1" width="600"><tbody><tr><td colspan="10" class="tcat">» Top 10 Catchers</td></tr><tr><td class="thead" align="center">Name</td><td class="thead" align="center">Team</td><td class="thead" align="center">AVG</td><td class="thead" align="center">OBP</td><td class="thead" align="center">SLG</td><td class="thead" align="center">OPS</td><td class="thead" align="center">R</td><td class="thead" align="center">HR</td><td class="thead" align="center">RBI</td><td class="thead" align="center">SB</td></tr><tr><td class="smallfont" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">Russell Martin</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">LAD</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.289</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.375</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.451</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.826</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">84</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">16</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">81</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">17</td></tr><tr><td class="smallfont" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">Victor Martinez</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">CLE</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.296</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.375</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.472</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.847</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">78</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">20</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">92</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">0</td></tr><tr><td class="smallfont" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">Joe Mauer</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">MIN</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.314</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.402</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.462</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.864</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">73</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">11</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">70</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">9</td></tr><tr><td class="smallfont" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">Brian McCann</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">ATL</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.294</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.356</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.495</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.851</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">62</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">20</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">86</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">2</td></tr><tr><td class="smallfont" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">Jorge Posada</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">NYY</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.282</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.379</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.465</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.844</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">76</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">19</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">80</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">2</td></tr><tr><td class="smallfont" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">Kenji Johjima</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">SEA</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.286</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.335</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.450</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.785</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">60</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">17</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">68</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">2</td></tr><tr><td class="smallfont" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">Bengie Molina</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">SF</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.276</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.311</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.430</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.741</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">49</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">17</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">72</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">1</td></tr><tr><td class="smallfont" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">Ivan Rodriguez</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">DET</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.276</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.305</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.418</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.723</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">59</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">12</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">61</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">5</td></tr><tr><td class="smallfont" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">A.J. Pierzynski</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">CWS</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.271</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.319</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.420</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.739</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">59</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">15</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">61</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">1</td></tr><tr><td class="smallfont" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">Geovany Soto</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">CHC</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.288</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.356</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.475</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">.831</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">49</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">14</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">54</td><td class="smallfont" align="center" bgcolor="#e3e3e3">1</td></tr></tbody></table>
In the catching department, you likely can't go wrong with either of the four Ms or Posada. Martin gets the edge because he gives you steals out of the catching spot, but if you have configured your draft to get steals elsewhere, each of the next four would give you what you need. Martinez is probably the most complete, and gives you the added bonus of being able to play 1B. Mauer is in a class of his own in terms of batting average, but McCann and Posada are very reliable candidates to give you a nice average/power combo out of your catcher.

After the first five, Johjima is clearly by himself in the next tier as he'll help you fill four categories. After Johjima, the catching position falls off. The next five on the list (include Towles in the Next 10) are closely bunched and could all be the seventh catcher taken, in my opinion.

Molina and Rodriguez get the edge over the others because they've been there and done it for quite some time. Pierzynski comes in next because he's a decent option and you don't have to worry about how the White Sox will use him. The others, Soto and Towles, have the upside to jump to the top of this pack and join Johjima in the second tier of catching options, but the fear of teams committing to a young catcher holds them back and puts them on the back half of this list.

The Next 10:
J.R. Towles, HOU
Jason Varitek, BOS
Carlos Ruiz, PHI
Ramon Hernandez, BAL
Ronny Paulino, PIT
Paul Lo Duca/Johnny Estrada, WAS
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, TEX
Kurt Suzuki, OAK
Mike Napoli, LAA
John Buck, KC
Miguel Olivo, KC
Josh Bard, SD
Michael Barrett, SD

Out of this group, behind Towles, I really like Ruiz more than Varitek, but you can never discount the value of consistency from your catcher, thus Varitek gets the nod on draft day. Hernandez and Paulino are neck and neck with Ruiz and Vartiek. Lo Duca's numbers are already slipping and now you can add a knee surgery on top of it. If Lo Duca isn't ready for Opening Day, Estrada will likely give you the same value as the Nationals starting catcher. They are a last resort as far as proven catching options, if you get this low on the catching list, you're probably better off on taking a chance on the upside of Saltalamacchia, Suzuki and Buck a few rounds later.

You may notice that I listed more than 10 in the second 10. Because Bard and Barrett normally split so much time, they were both hurt in their projections. The same goes for Buck and Olivo in Kansas City as I am expecting them to split time this year behind the plate. If either of those four turn into the clear catching option, they could likely slide up above Napoli and Suzuki and maybe even Saltalamacchia. Saltalamacchia is ranked low because it's not certain as of now to where he will start. There's some speculation that he may begin in AAA, which would obviously damage his drafting price.

JCStone7
01-31-2008, 08:02 AM
Good stuff Mac, I probably would've flip-flopped Pudge and AJ but no need to argue. Great job!

McCarroll21
01-31-2008, 08:06 AM
Pudge was hard because his stats could be heavy on run production or heavy on on-base and runs scored depending on where he bats in the lineup. I went with him hitting somewhere around the 7-8 area, for those wondering.

The top 10 are based on standardizing and using different statistical analysis to determine who is higher above average. Basically, if .270 is average for a batting average, the people on my ranking with a positive number in batting average is based on how high their projected average is above .270. I did that for every category and added up the columns. The rankings are based on just the traditional 5x5 roto stats. If you add OBP and/or OPS into consideration, AJ moves ahead of Pudge.

The Next 10 use that and a little "gut" added in.

vnodnarb
01-31-2008, 09:47 AM
Woo! 2 SB for McCann.

Good projections McC, they all seem to be right on par with what I would expect.

milbraves
01-31-2008, 12:36 PM
<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width=600 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tcat colSpan=10>» Top 10 Catchers</TD></TR><TR><TD class=thead align=middle>Name</TD><TD class=thead align=middle>Team</TD><TD class=thead align=middle>AVG</TD><TD class=thead align=middle>OBP</TD><TD class=thead align=middle>SLG</TD><TD class=thead align=middle>OPS</TD><TD class=thead align=middle>R</TD><TD class=thead align=middle>HR</TD><TD class=thead align=middle>RBI</TD><TD class=thead align=middle>SB</TD></TR><TR><TD class=smallfont bgColor=#e3e3e3>Russell Martin</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>LAD</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.289</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.375</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.451</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.826</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>84</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>16</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>81</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>17</TD></TR><TR><TD class=smallfont bgColor=#e3e3e3>Victor Martinez</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>CLE</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.296</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.375</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.472</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.847</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>78</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>20</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>92</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>0</TD></TR><TR><TD class=smallfont bgColor=#e3e3e3>Joe Mauer</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>MIN</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.314</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.402</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.462</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.864</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>73</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>11</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>70</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>9</TD></TR><TR><TD class=smallfont bgColor=#e3e3e3>Brian McCann</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>ATL</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.294</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.356</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.495</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.851</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>62</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>20</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>86</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>2</TD></TR><TR><TD class=smallfont bgColor=#e3e3e3>Jorge Posada</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>NYY</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.282</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.379</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.465</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.844</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>76</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>19</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>80</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>2</TD></TR><TR><TD class=smallfont bgColor=#e3e3e3>Kenji Johjima</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>SEA</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.286</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.335</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.450</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.785</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>60</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>17</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>68</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>2</TD></TR><TR><TD class=smallfont bgColor=#e3e3e3>Bengie Molina</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>SF</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.276</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.311</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.430</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.741</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>49</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>17</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>72</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>1</TD></TR><TR><TD class=smallfont bgColor=#e3e3e3>Ivan Rodriguez</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>DET</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.276</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.305</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.418</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.723</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>59</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>12</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>61</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>5</TD></TR><TR><TD class=smallfont bgColor=#e3e3e3>A.J. Pierzynski</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>CWS</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.271</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.319</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.420</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.739</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>59</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>15</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>61</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>1</TD></TR><TR><TD class=smallfont bgColor=#e3e3e3>Geovany Soto</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>CHC</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.288</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.356</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.475</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>.831</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>49</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>14</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>54</TD><TD class=smallfont align=middle bgColor=#e3e3e3>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Saltalamacchia is ranked low because it's not certain as of now to where he will start. There's some speculation that he may begin in AAA, which would obviously damage his drafting price.

Good piece. Mc Cann's projections do seem a bit high. Let's hope for the best. I bet he tops that two SB's before the .495! SLG.


"Also, Salty won't see Triple-A next season unless he has a rehab assignment for some reason.":D

McCarroll21
01-31-2008, 12:49 PM
"Also, Salty won't see Triple-A next season unless he has a rehab assignment for some reason.":DI know that's quoting me, and I don't think he will, but you can't take a chance when trying to draft a starter for your fantasy team. A lot of places I've seen have him as the 7th ranked catcher.

milbraves
01-31-2008, 05:07 PM
I know, I just think that alot of folks think he's alot farther along in his progress than he really is. The thing is, he's played very very few games at catcher above the AA level. He's still got a bit to prove before he's even ranked as a catcher in my book

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