CATCHER RANKINGS FOR 2019

The catcher landscape in 2019 looks relatively dreadful. As I was going through my projections, after the first seven or eight catchers, I got pretty depressed. Not really, but after that point, there were so many catchers that I projected to have sub-.250 batting averages with 10-15 homers and very low counting stats. The catcher position is really going to be a drain on most fantasy teams, especially in two-catcher formats. Even in 12 or 15 team single catcher formats, after Ramos, you’re looking at three to four categories that will hurt you in Roto leagues. Personally, I’m either grabbing someone in the Molina-Jansen range between picks 150 and 225 or waiting until my last pick to grab someone in the Chirinos to Mejia range.



Rank Player Team Positions 1 J.T. Realmuto PHI C/1B 2 Gary Sanchez NYY C 3 Yasmani Grandal MIL C 4 Yadier Molina STL C 5 Buster Posey SF C/1B 6 Wilson Ramos NYM C 7 Willson Contreras CHC C 8 Danny Jansen TOR C 9 Welington Castillo CWS C 10 Tucker Barnhart CIN C 11 Francisco Cervelli PIT C 12 Robinson Chirinos HOU C 13 Francisco Mejia SD C 14 Mike Zunino TB C 15 Isiah Kiner-Falefa TEX C/2B/3B 16 Willians Astudillo MIN C 17 Omar Narvaez SEA C 18 Yan Gomes WAS C 19 Jorge Alfaro MIA C 20 Austin Barnes LAD C/2B 21 Tyler Flowers ATL C 22 Jonathan Lucroy LAA C 23 Austin Hedges SD C 24 Kurt Suzuki WAS C 25 John Hicks DET C/1B 26 Christian Vazquez BOS C 27 Chris Iannetta COL C 28 Grayson Greiner DET C 29 Roberto Perez CLE C 30 Jason Castro MIN C 31 Russel Martin LAD C/3B 32 Brian McCann ATL C 33 Alex Avila ARI C 34 Martin Maldenado KC C

J.T. Realmuto takes the top spot in 2019. I’ll have to give myself a small pat on the back from placing him #2 at the position prior to the 2018 season ahead of Posey and Contreras. Realmuto did not show his speed as much in 2018 but still possess a very good batting average floor with low 20s homers. He should chip in 4-6 steals which gives him the nod over Sanchez.

You may be surprised to see veteran red bird Yadier Molina at number three but he’s been consistent as any catcher the last several seasons. He’s really transformed himself into a very good hitter with well above average contact rates, good batting averages, and slightly above average power. The Cardinals improved their team offensively in the offseason with the addition of Goldschmidt. I see Molina hitting sixth, so his RBI opportunities should be plentiful.



Danny Jansen, the rookie catcher of the Toronto Blue Jays gets the nod over highly touted prospect Francisco Mejia because of his advanced plate discipline. While I think Mejia has the long-term upside, Jansen showed very impressive contact skills in his limited plate appearances in 2018 but also showcased them in the minors. His ability to take walks and developing power means, he should be a decent source of batting average and moderate power from a position that seriously lacks batting average upside.

Everyone’s favorite sports hero, Willians Astudillo comes in at 15 and therefore, is draftable in all 15-team leagues. Maybe it’s his dad-bod or his resemblance to Bartolo Colon. Either way, Astudillo is anything but ordinary. His contact rates are absolutely off the charts with incredibly low strikeout rates. The only thing he does less than strikeout and is walk. His minor league strikeout rates typically sat between three and four percent and in 97 plate appearances in the majors, struck out just three times! He doesn’t have much power but in addition to catching, the Twins put him at 2B, 3B, and the outfield. Unfortunately, the Twins, signed Nelson Cruz, so DH is off the table. Astudillo is not guaranteed 400 plate appearances but should hit around .290 given his contact skills and around 10-12 homers. You can do much worse 15 catchers deep.



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