Getting ready for fantasy baseball-Catchers

By: David Lister

I’d like to preface this by letting everyone know I drafted Brian McCann (.270, 18, 92) in the third round last year, so I’m an idiot. The only guy this year worth a pick that high is Victor Martinez, and that’s because he gets quite a bit of time at first base. Catchers are the hardest position players to read, don’t be an idiot like 2006 me.

No Doubt Starters-

Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians

Like I already said, I like V-Mart because as his offense has progressed, the Indians have played him less and less at catcher (here are his career fielding stats). Aside from that, Martinez is a switch-hitter, is part of a loaded lineup and over the past four years he’s shown he’s a consistent .300, 20, 100 guy. He’s a solid third-round pick.

Russell Martin, Los Angeles Dodgers

Honestly, I’m not a huge fan, but he may be the first catcher taken because he provides steals (21 in ‘07) along with power (19 HRs) and average (.293). I don’t like the Dodgers lineup this year and I don’t know how much better he can get fantasy-wise.

Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins

If you pick Mauer you’re basically picking potential. His career 162-game averages are good (.313, 14, 84), but not worthy of the fifth or sixth-round pick he’ll be. With that being said, no one would be surprised if he hit .350 this year.

Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves

McCann isn’t a .333 hitter, and he probably isn’t a 30-home run guy. But he is young (24 next month) and he is a good–not great–hitter. I think he’s a solid sixth round pick.

Jorge Posada, New York Yankees

He was the best fantasy catcher last year but he’ll turn 37 this year. He won’t hit .338 again, probably much closer to his .277 career average, but the 20 HRs are legit. Many will disagree, but I think he’s a ninth or tenth-round pick.

Kenji Johjima, Seattle Mariners

2008 will be Johjima’s third year, but he’ll be 32 this year. His first two years were good (.287, 32, 137 total) and the same should be expected this year. Take him before the tenth round and learn to love consistency.

Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers

Yes, he’s 36 this year and yes, there have been rumblings about Pudge and PEDs, but he still hit .281 with 11 homers last year. If he can do that again in the 2008 Tigers lineup, he’ll be a very nice fantasy catcher.

Bengie Molina, San Francisco Giants

Meet the dominant Molina. Bengie has hit 19 HRs each of the last two years and is a career .275 hitter. He’s old for a catcher (34 this year), but he’s done nothing but improve since becoming a starter. He’s a great 15-18 round pick if you can get him that late.

Prospects-

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Texas Rangers

Salty got his big break last year getting traded to the Rangers and was handed a full-time job split between playing both catcher and first base. Unfortunately, he didn’t hit all that well (46 games, .251, 7, 21) so he’s all potential at this point. Look for him to go in the middle rounds (12-15).

Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs

Soto is a 25-year-old catcher who has been given the Cubs starting job based on his limited time in the major last year (54 ABs, .389, 3 homers) and his monster year at AAA Iowa (.353, 26, 109). He hasn’t been that good a hitter in the past, but if he’s available in round 15 take him (he won’t be if there are Cubs fans in your league).

Justin Towles, Houston Astros

Towles is a 23-year-old catcher who has been given the Astros starting job based on his limited time in the major last year (40 ABs, .375, 12 RBI) and his monster year at AA Corpus Christi (.324, 11, 49). He hasn’t been that good a hitter in the past (actually, unlike Soto he has), but if he’s available in round 15 take him (he won’t be if there are Astros fans in your league).

Mike Napoli, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Napoli has been the Angels backup for two years, but for 2008 he looks to be their starter. He has great power (26 HRs in 487 MLB AB’s), but his average will kill you (.236, .255 in the minors). He might hit 30 HR this year, but he won’t hit .250.

Kurt Suzuki, Oakland Athletics

Suzuki came to the majors last year and was a little disappointing (.249, 7, 39). His minor-league numbers (.283 avg, .380 OBP) suggest he could be much better, but he’s only 24 so it may not be this year.

Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia Phillies

This will be the second full major-league season for the 28-year-old Ruiz. Like Suzuki, he was okay last year (.259, 6, 54), but not up to par with his minor-league stats. In 2006 he hit .307, 16, 69 at AAA, so he has a nice ceiling.

You Could Do Better-

Ramon Hernandez, Baltimore Orioles

His off-year in 2007 should scare you (.258, 9, 62). His age should scare you (32 in May). His groin injury last year should scare you. Other than that he’s okay.

Ronnie Paulino, Pittsburgh Pirates

Paulino in 2006 (.310, 6, 55) vs Paulino in 2007 (.263, 11, 55). Which one is the real Ronnie? Stay tuned to the 2008 season to find out!

A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox

A.J. is no longer a .300 hitter and he’s never been a big power guy. Also, other owners will make fun of you for having him and no one will trade for him. But, like this title of this category says, you could do worse.

Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox

Varitek is still a good power hitter, but he no longer hits for average. Let your annoying New England friend draft him, he’s way past his prime.

John Buck, Kansas City Royals

By now we know what Buck is, a .240 hitter who’ll get you somewhere between 10 and 20 home runs. If you’re okay with that, he’ll be available late in the draft.

Josh Bard, San Diego Padres

Bard has become a good hitter since coming to the Padres, but he’ll be 30 before the season starts. He might hit .300, but his power will be lacking, making him a late-round pick.

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David Lister is the web editor for the National Sports Review. You can reach him at chicagosportsreview@gmail.com. Go Cards.

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