23 Oct Fantasy Baseball: 2019 Catcher Ranks
We are finally here, the 2019 Fantasy Baseball prep season, or simply the off-season for less die hard Fantasy Baseball folks.
I will be creating rankings for all positions and will be doing the catcher position to begin!
As everyone knows, the catcher position is bad, and I mean baaad. Out of all the eligible catchers, only 6 players returned positive dollar values, with bust Gary Sanchez earning negative 5$. Ouch. This is a brutal position to navigate, so hopefully this piece will help you find value or implement a strategy.
Personally, I avoid investing a lot into this position, as catching puts a massive toll on players’ bodies. It is also very hard to properly work with a pitching staff and hit very well, making catchers even more risky.
Let’s dive in!
Tier 1: The Studs
C1: J.T. Realmuto, MIA
Realmuto put up an all around line for the catcher position: .277 BA, 21 Homers, 74 Runs, 74 RBI & 3 SB’s. Look for him to be the safest elite catcher available on draft day in 2019.
C2: Gary Sanchez, NYY
The Bronx Backstop totally burned his investors in 2018, as he likely cost a 2nd or 3rd round pick and totally flopped. He certainly has a chance to clearly be the best option at catcher in 2019, but the risk is real. Owners know this and he will be coming at a sweet discount.
C3: Willson Contreras, CHC
After seeing a clear growth year in 2017, Contreras’ numbers (and mostly power numbers) took a huge nose dive. Owners’ expected a decent BA and 18 plus homers, and he delivered neither. Contreras could be atop the catcher ranks in 2020, given his complete skill set, so owners should reinvest if the price is right.
Tier 2: The Next Best Thing
C4: Wilson Ramos, FA
Yes, this guys’ value depends on where he signs, but his plus BA and solid power make him a very nice C1 in fantasy.
C5: Salvador Perez, KC
After tearing his meniscus early in the year hauling his own luggage, Sal did what Sal does, provide loads of power. Perez led all catchers in homers & RBI despite only playing 129 games.
C6: Yasmani Grandal, FA
Grandal is set to be a FA, he is a Sal Perez starter kit, a lowish BA guy with tons of power. Guy’s safer than the state of Vermont given his power and health track record.
C7: Yadier Molina, STL
Yadi delivered for those who bought the ancient backstop: swatting 20 bombs, hitting 74 RBI with a .260 batting average. He should repeat or come close to it in 2019.
Tier 3: The Potential Risers
C8: Buster Posey, SF
Posey is a risk in 2019, both in terms of performance and health. His power has steadily fallen since 2014, since then he has hit 22, 19, 14, 12 & 5 homers annually.
C9: Danny Jansen, TOR
DJ has awesome plate skills, which should help fuel runs scored and help him maintain a good BA. The pop is what could make him rise up, buy him as a potential riser.
C10: Kurt Suzuki, FA
Suzuki is set to be a FA, similar to guys listed above, he has solid batting average skills and decent pop.
C11: Francisco Mejia, SD
The Pods’ Premier Backstop caught 10 games in 2018, so he won’t be C eligible in every league, make sure you know his eligibility going into the draft. If he is eligible, his skills are nice, but Austin Hedges exists. Buyer beware.
Tier 4: The Last C1’s
C12: Robinson Chirinos, TEX
Chirinos is a power producer who has hit above the 250 batting average line, he could produce profit for owners who waited at catcher. He is a big BA risk though.
C13: Welington Castillo, CWS
Beef Welington scorched buyers in 2018, his PED suspension costed him 80 games. He posted 20 bombs with a plus BA in 2017, so the riser potential is present.
C14: Jorge Alfaro, PHI
Gary Sanchez Lite has more skills to tap into, buy this guy now that Philly looks to implement him even more than ever.
Tier 5: The Boring Safe Guys
C15: Francisco Cervelli, PIT
Injuries destroyed what would have been an amazing season by Cervelli, he posted a career best .809 OPS (at catcher that’s sexy.) Buy him in 2019, he will be overlooked.
C16: Yan Gomes, CLE
Gomes’ performance should rate him higher than this ranking, but he has totally stunk recently, and he carries a modicum of risk. Nevertheless, he provides average and power in a potent offense.
C17: Tyler Flowers, ATL
If Suzuki hits pay dirt elsewhere, Flowers could be a big winner. ATL’s offense is legit.
C18: Tucker Barnhart, CIN
The glove keeps his PA appearance total high, which fuel a perfectly acceptable yet boring line.
Tier 6: The Big Risks With Upside
C19: Brian McCann, HOU
McCann couldn’t in 2018, putting up barf worthy numbers. There could still be something left here.
C20: Austin Barnes, LAD
This ranking is totally dependent on Grandal leaving in FA. If he leaves Barnes makes sense here as a guy who could be Barnhart-esque.
C21: Mike Zunino, SEA
Zunino’s BA hinders his owners’ chances of success, that .201 batting average boat anchor is putrid, but the power is real. Buy at your own peril.
Tier 7: The Low End Options
C22: Isiah Kiner-Falefa, TEX
Kiner-Falefa produced a well balanced line for investors in 2018, mixing in some pop and speed while playing in the infield to help boost PT totals. He should be useful again in 2019.
C23: Austin Hedges, SD
View Hedges as a poor mans’ Zunino. The glove should help him play lots, but Mejia muddies things up.
C24: Jonathan Lucroy, FA
Lucroy carries more name value than production these days.
C25: Mitch Garver, MIN
Mitch Garver posted a nice .749 OPS while fueling a little power for fantasy owners. He’s a catcher who won’t hurt you, but the upside is limited.
C26: Chris Iannetta, COL
Coors Field fuels this ranking. He isn’t a good player but Coors could help propel him to fantasy relevance.
Tier 8: The Stay Aways
C27: James McCann, DET
The other McCann has been serviceable, but he has no upside.
C28: Austin Romine, NYY
Romine may see a boost in playing time if Sanchez is moved off the position for stretches.
C29: Willians Astudillo, FA
Astudillo could prove to be a decent fantasy catcher, but Garver lurks.
C30: Chance Sisco, BAL
The former prospect failed mightily in 2018, but isn’t a horrible C2 if you wait in drafts.
Check out the other position rankings here (coming soon):
C
1B
2B
SS
3B
OF
SP
RP
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