2011 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Draft Rankings: Catchers

See other positions: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | LF | CF | RF | SP1 | RP

General thoughts on drafting catchers:  I think that people overpay for catchers because of the concept of “positional scarcity” in that there are only a few catchers that will really help a fantasy team.

Other than a player like Joe Mauer, I tend to discount the importance of catchers for a few reasons: first, they play fewer games than other players, and therefore have less overall production.  Second, because of the demands of their position, they seem to be larger injury risks.  This second point is only more true in a dynasty league.  You don’t want to draft a player like Russell Martin when you’re not sure he can stay on the field year in-year out.

It’s good to have a steady catcher that you can put in your lineup and get 5 starts a week, but I tend to try and let other managers overpay for the catchers.  Just last year, you had a breakout season by John Buck, mid-season callups in Buster Posey and Carlos Santana, and big-time flops like Matt Wieters.  My advice: if you can get a steady guy, do it, but don’t overpay at the catcher position.

Rankings:

1)   Joe Mauer (MIN) (27): What can you say?  The guy is a monster, and will be for years to come.  No-brainer, and potentially worth a first-round pick even though he was in the single digits for home runs last year.

2)   Brian McCann (ATL) (26): The only fearsome hitter left in the Braves’ lineup, a consistent power threat.  Should be an all-star for years to come, but this is the type of guy that it’s easy to overpay for.

3)   Buster Posey (SF) (23): I’m high on Buster Posey after a successful rookie campaign.  He showed he can hit at the big league level, and also qualifies at 1B. But will he stick at C longterm?

4)   Carlos Santana (CLE) (24): In the same league as Posey, but with less of a track record because of his season-ending knee surgery.  Cleveland will probably be less of an offensive force, but you probably want to pick this guy up while you can.

5)   Victor Martinez (DET) (32): Pure hitter that has a beautiful swing.  But falls more in the veteran category and may not stick at C for long due to poor CS% rates.  More present value than Posey or Santana, but who would you rather have after the season?

6)   Geovany Soto (CHN) (27): Koyie Hill was starting over Soto for some time this past season, which is inexplicable because of the consistently helpful offensive numbers that he put up in 2010.  Could be a bit of a question mark as he seems to mix very good seasons with mediocre ones, but young enough and strong enough to fit in here.

7)   Miguel Montero (ARI) (27):  Sneaky good pick last year as he really came on in the second half of the 2009 season.  It’s really a shame that he missed so much time last season, but still has solid value going forward.

8)   Matt Wieters (BAL) (24): Do you believe the hype?  Will he ever have that breakout season?  His numbers last year were pretty poor, so he’s due for some improvement, or even post-hype sleeper breakout. I’d be happy if I landed him in a keeper league, but I would rate him as more risky than any of the other players rated higher.

9)   Mike Napoli (LAA) (29): Last year’s HR leader for catchers would be ranked higher, except for two things: his low BA and the potential that he’ll lose at-bats because of the return of Kendry Morales.   Also another risk to stick at the C position.

10)  Russell Martin (NYY) (27): An intriguing buy-low candidate after two sub-par and injury riddled seasons.  Will benefit from playing in Yankees’ lineup, but it’s difficult to know what to expect after so much time away.  Certainly we can’t expect the same SB totals as before (18 in ’08).

11)  John Buck (FLA) (30): Solid season in Toronto landed him a multi-year contract with the Marlins.  I’m not sold on his value going forward, needs more success to move up in the rankings, but could provide good value late in drafts.

12)  Carlos Ruiz (PHI) (31): Unsung hero of the Phillies, but can’t be counted on for more seasons like 2010.  Seems to be becoming a better hitter as he ages though, so he probably has a few useful seasons left.

13)  Ryan Doumit (PIT) (29): Could be due for an upswing in production, but could also be due for permanent move to the OF with Chris Snyder in town.

14)  Kurt Suzuki (OAK) (27): Numbers not that great, but is still only 27 and hit 10+ homeruns the last two seasons.

15  Chris Iannetta (COL) (27): Always been on the cusp, and still just 27.  Worth picking up if only for the increased production of Colorado batters.

16)  Jared Saltalamacchia (BOS) (25): Will he ever live up to potential?  It’s a gamble, but a shot at the starting job in Boston is very valuable.

17)  Jorge Posada (NYY) (39): Addition of Russell Martin shows that Yankees don’t have much confidence in him long-term.  Could be a one season C rental, but can still swing the bat.

18)  Miguel Olivo (SEA) (32):  An effective season, but on the wrong side of 30, and won’t be playing at Coors Field.

19)  Chris Snyder (PIT) (29): Surprising production in the place of Montero, but how much does he have left?  And the BA (.201) is not helping.

20)  John Jaso (TB) (27): Intriguing player that could be useful stopgap if you’ve missed on everyone else above.

21)  Josh Thole (NYM) (24): The Mets think this guy is a starter.  That’s not saying much on that team but at this point he could be a good player to stash.

22)  Yorvit Torrealba (TEX) (32): Decent performer but shouldn’t be counted on for more than 2-3 years of average production.

23)  Ramon Hernandez (CIN) (34): If you must.

24)  Yadier Molina (STL) (28): More valuable in real life.  Poor fantasy production that probably isn’t getting any better.

25)  Tyler Flowers (CWS) (24): Catcher of the future for the White Sox?

26)  Wilson Ramos (WAS) (23): Hyped prospect came to the Capitals in the Matt Capps deal… but is he still valued as highly?  Still behind Ivan Rodriguez this year.

UPDATE: Don't forget JP Arencibia (TOR) and Hank Conger (LAA), who both logged ML time last year.