Top 20 Catcher Rankings for 2016: Kyle Schwarber and Travis d'Arnaud impress

Over the past week I have published some of my early position rankings, and you can find them in the links below:

Early 2016 Rankings

First Base

Second Base

Shortstop

Third Base

Outfielders

Today I take a look at the catcher position. The guy in the #1 spot is no surprise as Buster Posey once again proved he is the top catcher at the position for fantasy purposes. He is one home run away from his third 20 home run season in the last four seasons. I still contend that the Giants will eventually move him to first base, but the play of Brandon Belt will prevent that for at least another year.

Cubs power hitting catcher Kyle Schwarber caught his 20th game at the position last week so he is catcher eligible in all leagues next season and he comes in as my #3 ranked fantasy catcher for 2016. Schwarber appears to be the real deal at the plate and has 25-30 home run potential. He could be the #1 fantasy catcher heading into the 2017 season, assuming he gets 20 or more game at catcher, which I think he will, as some think he is one of the better framers in the game.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud might be higher on my rankings if he could only stay healthy. When he was healthy this season, he showed us the power potential he has in his bat, hitting 12 home runs and driving in 41 runs in just 63 games. There is injury risk with my #5 fantasy catcher, but my ranking assumes he can stay healthy.

Jonathan Lucroy has battled several injuries this season including a concussion. It took him awhile to get going at the plate upon his return from the disabled list, but he is showing he can still be a very productive hitter at the dish. He has hit .278 or higher in three of the five months he has been healthy this season. I won't ding him too much due to his injuries this season, and may even move him up a spot or two in future rankings.

Like Lucroy, I am not going to ding Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco due to his season ending hip injury. My ranking assumes he will be 100% completely healthy in 2016. He played some left field this season before electing to have season ending surgery, and he could see more time there next season as well, which should increase his value for fantasy purposes.

Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has dropped in my rankings due to the drop in his power in 2015. Molina elected to play at a lighter weight in 2015 and that has affected his power at the plate. Among all catchers, he ranks third in games played, but just 40th in home runs (40th!!), 22nd in runs scored and 8th in RBI.

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