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Today, we begin to roll out our 2013 Consensus Midseason Position Rankings. These rankings will be how we rank players for the rest of the season, rather than how they have performed season to date. We only included players that have logged in 20 games at a position to be eligible for the rankings.
I will take a look at the Catcher rankings for the rest of the season, and here is how our schedule will look for the next two weeks:
Wednesday 7/17: First base - Alex to publish
Friday 7/19: Second base - Daniel to publish
Monday 7/22: Third base - Zack to publish
Tuesday 7/23: Shortstop - Daniel to publish
Thursday 7/25 Outfield - Ray to publish
Friday 7/26: Starting Pitchers - Zack to publish
Years ago, fantasy owners came to expect minimal production from the catcher position, but that has all changed. Buster Posey is one of the best hitters in the game, as is Yadier Molina and Joe Mauer. The position also includes some very good power hitters in Brian McCann, Wilin Rosario, Posey, Matt Wieters, J.P. Arencibia and Mike Napoli, so fantasy owners now have plenty to choose from on draft day.
Last season, we saw a breakout season from Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario, and he has followed up that breakout season with a 276-.311-.470 slash line with 13 HRs, 38 runs, 46 RBI and has even thrown in 4 stolen bases. This season, we have the breakout from Astros catcher Jason Castro who I profile below.
The catcher position is deeper now than I can ever remember, with a nice balance of power hitters and guys who can help you in the batting average category. Let's take a look at our 2013 Consensus Midseason Rankings for the Catcher position, along with a few of my thoughts on the rankings and the players involved:
|
Rank |
Name |
Ray |
Jason |
Zack |
Kevin |
Daniel |
Alex |
Dan S. |
Points |
|
1 |
Buster Posey |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
147 |
|
2 |
Yadier Molina |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
136 |
|
3 |
Joe Mauer |
3 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
132 |
|
4 |
Carlos Santana |
5 |
4 |
4 |
7 |
3 |
5 |
6 |
120 |
|
5 |
Wilin Rosario |
6 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
9 |
4 |
7 |
113 |
|
6 |
Brian McCann |
2 |
5 |
11 |
3 |
10 |
9 |
4 |
110 |
|
7 |
Mike Napoli |
10 |
10 |
7 |
11 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
99 |
|
8 |
Jonathan Lucroy |
12 |
13 |
8 |
10 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
91 |
|
9 |
Matt Wieters |
9 |
12 |
6 |
15 |
7 |
12 |
9 |
84 |
|
10 |
Salvador Perez |
8 |
17 |
12 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
10 |
83 |
|
11 |
Jason Castro |
14 |
7 |
17 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
71 |
|
12 |
Russell Martin |
18 |
11 |
9 |
14 |
13 |
13 |
11 |
65 |
|
13 |
Victor Martinez |
7 |
15 |
8 |
17 |
8 |
53 |
||
|
14 |
Wilson Ramos |
16 |
9 |
15 |
12 |
20 |
17 |
12 |
53 |
|
15 |
Miguel Montero |
17 |
8 |
14 |
13 |
14 |
16 |
19 |
53 |
|
16 |
A.J. Pierzynski |
13 |
18 |
13 |
17 |
12 |
14 |
18 |
49 |
|
17 |
Evan Gattis |
11 |
20 |
18 |
20 |
18 |
15 |
29 |
|
|
18 |
Jarrod Saltalamacchia |
15 |
16 |
16 |
18 |
15 |
28 |
||
|
19 |
J.P. Arencibia |
19 |
10 |
19 |
19 |
17 |
24 |
||
|
20 |
John Buck |
16 |
20 |
16 |
20 |
13 |
Buster Posey, SFG
Not a surprise that he is the #1 ranked catcher. He is currently hitting .325-.395-.536 with 13 HRs, 38 runs and 56 RBI in 90 games played. Amongst fantasy catchers, Posey ranks second in batting average, OBP and SLG, fourth in home runs and runs scored and leads all catchers in RBI. He benefits from manager Bruce Bochy playing him at first base at least once a week, giving him rest away from the rigors of catching, while keeping his bat in the lineup.
Yadier Molina, STL
Molina is currently one of the favorites to win the National League MVP award and is regarded as the best defensive catchers, and game callers, in the game. Heading into Sunday night's game with the Cubs, he was hitting .334-.381-.473 with 6 HRs, 37 runs, 43 RBI and 3 stolen bases this season. He leads all catchers in hitting, ranks third in OBP and eighth in SLG, while his 45 RBI rank fifth. We could see him getting more rest in the second half of the season as he is dealing with a knee injury presently.
Brian McCann, ATL
This year may be McCann's last in Atlanta, as he is a free agent at the end of the season, and he is primed for a huge contract with the way he has performed since returning from the disabled list. In just 53 games, McCann is hitting .291-.374-.536 with 12 HRs, 22 runs and 32 RBI in 179 at bats. He currently ranks eighth in home runs amongst fantasy catchers, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him lead all catchers in homers by the end of the season.
Jason Castro, HOU
Castro was once a Top 100 prospect in 2009 and 2010, as ranked by Baseball America, but was rushed to the big leagues back in 2010 and missed all of 2011 due to injury. This season, he is hitting well and with power, and is starting to show the potential that made him the 10th overall choice in the 2008 draft. Castro is hitting .269-.331-.475 with 12 HRs, 40 runs and 31 RBI hitting in the middle of the Astros lineup. He is on pace for 20+ home runs, which would approach the total number of homers he hit in his whole minor league career.
Miguel Montero, ARI
Montero has disappointed this season, and his ranking here reflects that. He is hitting just .224-.313-.339 with 8 HRs, 32 runs and 33 RBI. He used to hit in the middle of the Diamondbacks lineup, but is now hitting in the 7th spot in their lineup, so his run production will drop as a result.