09 Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet C Rankings

CATCHER (C) RANKINGS 2009

McCann will be just 25 years old for the 2009 season and he is just beginning to reach the prime of his career. McCann is an established 20 plus homerun guy who can also hit for average while posting excellent RBI totals for a catcher. As a middle of the order batter, McCann should get plenty of opportunities to put up excellent stats in 2009 while batting after Chipper Jones, and likely a much improved Yunel Escobar. Not to mention he has decent protection around him if Kelly Johnson continues his success and Casey Kotchman and Jeff Francoeur can reach their full potential. 20-25 homeruns, 80-100 rbi, 60-70 runs scored, and a solid .300 batting average are realistic for McCann in 2009.

2. Russell Martin – Los Angeles Dodgers (26)

If you want steals from your catcher position, then Martin is the hands down favorite. Some may even argue that his combination of steals and homeruns make him the #1 overall catcher for 2009. Also if your league gives him third base eligibility, this improves his versatility and makes him a better pick then more popular catchers like Joe Mauer and Victor Martinez. 10-15 homeruns, 15-20 stolen bases, 60-70 rbi, 80-90 runs scored, and a batting average around .290 seem like a good bet for Martin in 2009.

3. Joe Mauer – Minnesota Twins (26)

Mauer has been a consistent fantasy baseball catcher for the past four years, however his power numbers have not yet developed as had hoped. Still with plenty of potential and a proven track record, Mauer seems to be the safest pick at catcher after Brian McCann and Russell Martin. A high .320 plus batting average is Mauer’s safest bet in 2009, combined with 10 homeruns, 5 stolen bases, 80 plus rbi, and 80-90 runs scored.

4. Geovany Soto – Chicago Cubs (26)

After finally getting a full time job last season, Soto blazed onto the fantasy baseball scene and he doesn’t look to be letting up anytime soon. So assuming last year wasn’t a fluke, Soto offers outstanding power numbers for a catcher, and if he continues his success, he could easily be ranked above Joe Mauer, with the potential to over take Russell Martin at #2 by the end of the 2009 season. 25 homeruns, 90 rbi, 60-70 runs scored, and a solid .290 batting average is likely for Soto in 2009.

5. Victor Martinez – Cleveland Indians (30)

As the no-doubt #1 catcher for the past 4 years, Martinez finally takes a back seat for the 2009 fantasy baseball season. Now at age 30, wear and tear appears to be catching up to Martinez, literally. If he can maintain a steady balance of catching, playing first base, and being the DH, then there is plenty of potential for Martinez to rebound in 2009. However just remember Martinez isn’t a guaranteed commodity anymore. 20 homeruns, 80 rbi, 60 runs scored, and a batting average around .295 is likely for Martinez if all goes well and he stays healthy in 2009.

6. Ryan Doumit – Pittsburgh Pirates (28)

After finally nailing down the starting catcher’s job in 2008, Doumit showed he can offer more than just bench warming stats for fantasy baseball teams. An excellent combination of homeruns, rbi, and batting average, while batting third or fourth in the Pirates lineup makes Doumit a great option at catcher in 2009. 15-20 homeruns, 70 rbi, 70 runs scored, and a .300 plus batting average can be expected from Doumit for the 2009 season.

7. Chris Iannetta – Colorado Rockies (26) BREAKOUT

Iannetta went from my sleeper list last year, to a full fledged top 10 overall fantasy baseball catcher entering the 2009 season. If Iannetta continues his success from 2008, then 20-25 homeruns and 80 plus rbi are a very realistic possibility for him in 2009. Just make sure you don’t bet too much on Iannetta’s potential, because he could disappoint greatly. 20-25 homeruns, 80 rbi, 70 runs scored, and a batting average around .280 is possible if Iannetta wasn’t a fluke last year.

8. Bengie Molina – San Francisco Giants (35)

Even at age 34 last season, Molina still managed to belt out 16 homeruns, 95 rbi, and a .292 batting average. Numbers like that from a catcher are gold for fantasy baseball teams. While a downturn in production is likely in 2009, Molina still has plenty to offer fantasy baseball teams in 2009. 10-15 homeruns, 70-80 rbi, 40-50 runs scored, and a batting average around .295 is a realistic possibility for Molina in 2009.

9. Mike Napoli – Los Angeles Angels (27) BREAKOUT

Slowly entrenching himself as a 20 plus homerun hitter, Napoli will be entering the commonly known breakout age of 27 for the 2009 season. If you believe in that type of stuff, Napoli could be in store for a career year in 2009. If all goes as best as it could, Napoli has the ability to post 25-30 homeruns, 70-80 rbi, 60 runs scored, 5-10 stolen bases, and a batting average around .280.

10. Kelly Shoppach – Cleveland Indians (29)

With Victor Martinez’s injury struggles in 2008, Shoppach brings plenty of power potential to the table for fantasy baseball teams in 2009. 20-25 homeruns, 70 rbi, 60 runs scored, and a batting average around .270 seem like a good bet for Shoppach in 2009.

11. Matt Wieters – Baltimore Orioles (23) SLEEPER

Based on pure potential, Wieters offers a tremendous combination of power and batting average to be a top 5 overall catcher by the end of the 2009 season. However Wieters must first claim the job as the #1 catcher in Baltimore, or another year in the minors may be in store.

12. Pablo Sandoval – San Francisco Giants (23) SLEEPER

Currently projected to play third base for the Giants, Sandoval may qualify at catcher and first base in your league based on his playing time in 2008. And if Sandoval does quality at all three positions, he may just be the steal of numerous fantasy baseball drafts in 2009. Sandoval offers outstanding power potential and could easily post 20 plus homeruns and 70 rbi while hitting at or above a .300 clip.

13. Chris Snyder – Arizona Diamondbacks (28) BREAKOUT

Snyder has plenty of power potential considering he posted 16 homeruns and 64 rbi in just 334 at bats during the 2008 season. If Snyder can manage to collect between 450-500 at bats, he could have a career year while coming close to 25 homeruns and 80 rbi.

14. Jesus Flores – Washington Nationals (24) SLEEPER

Unlike more highly touted catching prospects such as Jeff Clement, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Max Ramirez, and Taylor Teagarden, Flores actually has a starting spot essentially nailed down to begin the 2009 season. With playing time on his side and 400 plus at bats likely in 2009, Flores is a great sleeper candidate heading into the 2009 fantasy baseball season. Flores has decent power potential to warrant a roster spot on almost all fantasy baseball teams no matter the league or roster size and scoring.

15. Ramon Hernandez – Cincinnati Reds (33)

If Bengie Molina can manage 16 homeruns and 95 rbi at age 34, then there is plenty of hope for Hernandez to rebound in his new Cincinnati hitter friendly ballpark. A return to 15-20 homeruns and 70 rbi is possible for Hernandez in 2009.

16. AJ Pierzynski – Chicago White Sox (32)

If you follow Pierzynski’s track record, then 10-15 homeruns, 50 rbi, 60 runs, and a .280 batting average is almost money in the bank. Nothing great, but definitely not terrible.

17. Dioner Navarro – Tampa Bay Rays (25)

After a very slow start to his career, Navarro finally showed signs of life last season with the Rays. Luckily for him and fantasy owners, Navarro will be just 25 years old for the 2009 season, and the potential for another steady increase in stats is possible. Expect a decent average around .290 along with 10 homeruns and 50-60 rbi.

18. Kurt Suzuki – Oakland Athletics (25)

Essentially the definition of streaky, Suzuki’s 2008 stats went from a batting average of .281 in April, to .213 in May, to .370 in June, to .326 in July, to .250 in August, and .234 in September. In other words, Suzuki doesn’t offer too much stat wise, but when he gets hot, he’s hot.

19. Yadier Molina – St. Louis Cardinals (27) BUST

I can’t help it, but I’m just not a Molina believer yet. Many fantasy baseball managers will be sky high on Molina entering the 2009 fantasy baseball season, but I won’t be one of them. Molina just simply doesn’t have enough power and he definitely doesn’t have any speed to help fantasy baseball teams. Not to mention Molina will always bat near the bottom of the order, so limited rbi and runs scored hamper his value also. However be Molina will be entering the 2009 fantasy baseball season at the magic age of 27, and he is coming off of a full season of batting .304, he does has some potential to continue his success. If you feel like being brave and going out on a limb, then Molina is worth taking a flyer on late in your draft as a backup catcher.

20. Jorge Posada – New York Yankees (38)

Age and injuries appear to have finally caught up with Posada. He could easily be ranked lower with numerous prospects having more potential then him for the 2009 fantasy baseball season, but his successful history and a stacked Yankees lineup could lead to some decent stats in 2009 if he is healthy.

21. Jeff Clement – Seattle Mariners (26) SLEEPER

Clement has seemingly been a stud can’t miss prospect for a of couple years now, and yet each year he ends up being that ‘miss’ prospect. Considering Kenji Johjima’s struggles last year and Seattle’s rebuilding project likely in store for 2009, Clement should finally get ample time to show what he can do. If he plays to his potential, Clement could easily post 20-30 homeruns.

22. Max Ramirez – Texas Rangers (24) SLEEPER

If you are looking for a young catcher with plenty of power potential, then Ramirez is a top choice. He posted 19 homeruns, 57 rbi, and a .347 batting average in just 81 minor league games in 2008, and he is fresh off being named Rookie of the Year in the 2008 Venezuelan winter league, where he posted 15 homeruns, 53 rbi, and a .298 batting average in just 50 games. If the logjam at catcher in Texas ever breaks up, Ramirez has tons of potential to be a top 10 overall fantasy baseball catcher by the end of the 2009 season.

23. Jarrod Saltalamacchia – Texas Rangers (24)

Salty is young and he can flat out hit. However with so much talent at catcher in Texas right now, Saltalamacchia may be on his way out of town. This would actually be a good thing for him and fantasy teams, because if he stays in Texas along with all the other stud catching prospects, his at bats and fantasy stats will likely be limited in 2009.

24. Taylor Teagarden – Texas Rangers (25)

As long as we are looking at Texas catchers, why not include the third on this list. Teagarden had by far the most productive stint among all the Rangers catchers in 2008, however he doesn’t project to have as much power as Max Ramirez, and he shouldn’t post as good of a batting average or be as good of a pure hitter as Jarrod Saltalamacchia. In which case, Teagarden is likely the third best catching prospect in Texas to begin the 2009 season. Still, Teagarden clearly has potential if he can get at bats.

25. Jason Varitek – Boston Red Sox (37)

Much like Posada, age has finally caught up to Varitek, as his stats have slowly declined over the past three season. However now that Varitek has resigned with the Red Sox, you can bet he will be the everyday starting catcher, which means he will remain a decent backup catcher on 2009 fantasy baseball teams.

26. Kenji Johjima – Seattle Mariners (33)

A huge bust last year, Johjima went from a top 10 overall fantasy baseball catcher entering the 2008 season, to no mans land entering the 2009 fantasy baseball season. However Johjima had produced very good stats in 2006 and 2007, so a rebound is always possible in 2009.

27. Gerald Laird – Detroit Tigers (29)

Likely to be the Tigers opening day starter at catcher for the 2009 season, Laird will have a great lineup around him which could increase his stats tremendously. Double digit homeruns and a decent batting average is possible.

28. Josh Bard – Boston Red Sox (31)

Seemingly Jason Varitek’s eventual replacement in Boston, Bard has never displayed much hitting or power potential throughout his career. However batting in an explosive lineup that includes David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Jason Bay, Jacoby Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis to name a few, Bard could see a ton of good pitches with runners on base and in scoring position. Thus the potential for a breakout year from Bard is there for the 2009 season.

29. Miguel Olivo – Kansas City Royals (31)

Even though Olivo will be sharing the catching duties in Kansas City with John Buck, his past three years of posting 16, 16, and 12 homeruns, make him likely to post another season of double digits homeruns. If you need a #2 catcher, Olivo is someone who actually offers some pop in his bat.

30. John Baker – Florida Marlins (28) SLEEPER

Baker showed enough upside at the end of the 2008 season, that the Marlins decided to hand over the starting job to him entering the 2009 season. If Baker can continue his success, he could be a major sleeper who posts 10-15 homeruns and a batting average around .300.