Tier One
1. Salvador Perez (Kansas City Royals) 2021: .273/.316/.859 88 runs, 48 HR, 121 RBI, 1 SB
Salvy had one of the best offensive seasons for a catcher of all time. Fantasy stat wise, he hit .273 in 665(!) plate appearences, 169 hits, 88 runs, 48 HRs(!!), and 121 RBIs with an OPS of .859. He had 44 more hits, 17 more runs and 45 more RBIs than the next eligible catcher. That's an incredible advantage over the every other fantasy option. As for repeating 665 plate appearances, he is a heavy, 31 year old catcher. He also logged 40 games as a DH. The emergence of top prospect M.J. Melendez (41 HRs in the minors last year) potentially extends the career of Perez. At minimum, Melendez allows Salvy to DH more and catch less, reducing the need for rest and the potential of injury. If you are looking for warning signs outside of age, both chase rate and swinging strike rate have gone in the wrong direction 4 years in a row. That said, the gap between Salvador Perez and every other catcher is large enough to consider drafting him in the early 40s (Rd. 4 in a 12 team league).
Tier Two
2. Will Smith (Los Angeles Dodgers) 2021: .258/.365/.860 71 runs, 25 HR, 76 RBI, 3 SB
The Fresh Prince of LA is entering his age-27 season. The Dodgers were the 5th best scoring offense in the baseball in 2021 providing Smith with plenty of opportunity to score and drive in runs. Furthermore, Smith has shown he has an incredible eye at the plate (12% walk rate) and power, posting a 130wRC+ last season. Kiebert Ruiz was always a threat to split time with Smith but with the blockbuster trade with the Washington Nationals at the 2021 deadline,
Dodgers get: RHP Max Scherzer, SS Trea Turner
Nationals get: C Keibert Ruiz, RHP Josiah Gray, RHP Gerardo Carrillo, OF Donovan Casey
Will Smith can breathe and accumulate plate appearances. Top prospect Diego Cartaya (my #5 rated catching prospect) is on the way but won't be up to the big show until 2023 at the earliest. It's difficult to nitpick Smith, other than the fact that he has logged only one full year lin the major leagues. He is the top of tier two, hitting in a top 5 offense and without a threat to playing time. His power and keen eye at the plate will provide plenty of offense at the catcher position. He is currently being drafted in the high 80s (9th round in 12 team leagues) and a great bet for 20 HRs and an OPS above .850.
3. Yasmani Grandal (Chicago White Sox) 2021: .240/.420/.939 60 runs, 23 HR, 62 RBI, 0 SB
Yasmani Grandal is a monster. If not for a knee injury which took away almost two months of his 2021 season, Grandal may have challenged Salvador Perez's lock on the number one spot. Before last season (Covid shortened 2020 not withstanding), Grandal had logged no fewer than 426 plate appearances since 2014. He is 33 years old and will continue to pick up injuries. However, Grandal appeared at both first base and DH last season and could certainly see more time off of catcher if Zack Collins can produce even a little bit at catcher.
In 2021, Grandal posted a wRC+ of 159(!), a walk rate of 23 percent, both good for the top spot at catcher, and a hard hit rate of 53%, trailing only Mitch Garver and Salavdor Perez. His walk rate was certainly a career high, but he has a career 15% walk rate, which would still lead catchers in 2021.
Grandal hits at the top half in the order of the number 6th ranked run scoring offense in 2021. Like Smith, he has tons of opportunity to score and drive in runs. 350 plate appearances from Grandal, coupled with a platoon heavy catcher can provide you with elite catching production, but a healthy season from Grandal will challenge Salvador Perez for the top spot. Grandal is currently in around 110 (round 10) in fantasy drafts. I would certainly have a back-up plan at catcher in case of injury as he has put a lot of miles on his catchers knees.
Tier Three
4. Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles) 2021: (minors) .285/.397/.899 86 runs, 23 HR, 75 RBI, 3 SB
Arguably the number one prospect in baseball, there is little debate that Adley Rutschman is a top 10 fantasy catcher in 2022. My argument for #4 catcher in a redraft is this: "HAVE YOU SEEN THE ORIOLES?"
1. organizational depth chart at catcher?" Jacob Nottingham? Anthony Bemboom? Brett Cumberland? SERIOUSLY?
2. We don't know what the new labor agreement will look like. We do know that the players union will argue for the shift/elimination of the current service time requirements. I am willing to bet that the Super 2/Kris Bryant treatment will go away, clearing the way for Rutschman to earn the job out of spring training.
3. The Orioles went 52-110 last year, tied with the Diamondbacks for the worst record in baseball. 10,169 average attendance placed Baltimore 26th in MLB.
In short, there is no one blocking Adley Rutschman, there is a very good chance the past service time considerations will not apply in the same way in 2022, and the Baltimore Orioles need juice, energy, excitement, and in many ways a franchise savior. Adley was the #1 pick, the #1 prospect in baseball, and has displayed the leadership to be the face of the franchise. The Orioles have 99 problems, but Adley Rutschman ain't one.
Assuming Rutschman leaves Spring Training with the starting job, what can we realistically expect in 2022? In time, I see Rutschman as a .290/.390/.450 hitter which would make him the #1 catcher for a long time. A Buster Posey career. Rutschman is also 24 years old, increasing the odds that he needs less time to ramp up to peak. With 450 ABs, i see a season of .270/.350/.450, 20 HRs, and 70 RBIs, placing him squarely in the range of Contreras and Realmuto. His selectivity, swing, switch-hitting, and plus power make Rutschman a low risk fantasy prospect and the #4 ranked fantasy catcher in redraft leagues.
5. Willson Contreras (Chicago Cubs) 2021 .237/.340/.778, 61 runs, 21 HR, 57 RBI, 5 SB
Contreras ahead of Realmuto? Yes.
Contreras has a lot of similarities to the #2 catcher, Will Smith.
walk-rate = Smith 12% vs Contreras 11%
Barrel = 11% for both
hard-hit = Smith 44% vs Contreras 48%
Max EV = Smith 109 vs Contreras 115
Avg EV = Smith 90 vs Contreras 92
Willson Contreras had a higher chase and K rate, but the above metrics say there are more similarities than differences in their games.
The counting stats of Realmuto and Contreras were similar (runs, hr) while Realmuto haad more hits, RBIs, and steals. OPS was also close. The case for Contreras over Realmuto is this: he has consistantly had a higher walk rate, and last year had a better barrel percent, a better hard hit percent, a better max exit velo, AND a better avg EV.
Finally, Realmuto's BABIP was .325 while Contreras .298.
A decent amount of Realmuto's perceived value is derived from his steals. Contreras mitigates this when directly comparing the two with his five steals in 2021. Contreras was less lucky with balls in play, and hit the ball harder.
Finally, Contreras will either hit high in the Cubs lineup, keeping his plate appearances high, OR be traded to a team with a better offense and thus, greater opportunity to score and drive in runs. Contreras would also benefit greatly from the National League instituting the Designated Hitter. The Cubs need his bat in the lineup.
6. J.T. Realmuto (Philadelphia Phillies) 2021: .263/.343/.782 64 runs, 17 HR, 73 RBI, 13 SB
J.T. Realmuto is a consistant performer and won't hurt your fantasy team. Since 2017, he's hit between .263 and .278, had an OPS between .782 and .825 (2020 Covid not withstanding), and chips in more steals than any other catcher. His value is in predictability and the added steals. He's what I would call, "a vanilla good player." One can build a playoff H2H fantasy team with, "vanilla good." But is it fun??? Winning is fun. Realmuto is not fun. For me. According to Fantasy Pros, his current ADP is #59, or round four in a 16 team league. I would prefer to focus elsewhere in round four. That said, Realmuto is a good piece on a winning ballclub (fantasy and real). He's like the neighborhood pizza joint, incredible when you need a decent meal on the fly, but not where you go for your anniversary dinner.
Tier 3
7. Daulton Varsho (Arizona D'backs) 2021: .246/.318/.755 41 runs, 11 HR, 38 RBI, 6 SB
Gary's son. Varsho played 41 games at catcher and 54 in the outfield. Therein lies much of his value. Unlike most full-time catchers (excluding 2021 Salvy), Varsho has the potential to log more plate appearances than your typical full time catcher. His average and OBP are not great, but he contributes with double digit HRs and the potential for double digit steals. In the minors, he stole 19 bags in 2018 and 21 in 2019. Number one in steals at catcher in 2021 was Realmuto with 13 and number two was Christian Vasquez and Jorge Alfaro tied at 8. Daulton has the speed and skill to surpass that. He should spell Carson Kelly behind the plate and start in the outfield most games. Steamer has predicted 420 plate appearances, giving him the opportunity for 10 steals and 10 HRs, making him our #7 catcher.
8. Keibert Ruiz (Washington Nationals) 2021 (Minors): .310/.377/.616 50 runs, 21 HR, 59 RBI, 0 SB (Majors - 96 PA): .273/.333/.742 10 runs, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 0 SB
Oh Keibert. 60 hit tool catchers don't grow on trees. He's selective at the plate. He showed more power last year than he had previously in the minors. He was traded to the Nationals as the headliner in the Scherzer/Turner trade with the Dodgers, meaning you KNOW the Nationals want/need him to succeed. Riley Adams and Tres Barerra are the other catchers on the 40-man roster. Keibert is going to get the opportunity to show if his bat to ball skills are for real. Steamer has Ruiz getting 387 PAs in 2022. I'd take the over.
That said, his bat speed is average, raising questions about his home run power in the bigs. But opportunity is there. He's a 23 year old catcher on a team wanting him to be a star. He hits the ball hard and often and isn't afraid to take a walk. There's upside here for Ruiz to scratch Tier 2 in a year or two. He's our #8 catcher but the arrow is pointing up. The only caveat is to expect some slumping out of a 23 year old catcher and if you can, pair him with metronome like Omar Narvaez.
9. Tyler Stephenson (Cincinnati Reds) 2021: .286/.366/.797 56 runs, 10 HR, 45 RBI, 0 SB
25 year old catcher in a hitters ballpark who had a .366 OBP last season? Fangraphs rates his potential raw power a 65. But he has never hit more than 11 HRs in any of his minor or major league seasons. He's 6'4' and 225 pounds. But in 2021 his avg EV was in the 34th percentile and his max EV was in the 43rd. His zone contact rate is elite at 91%. But this level of hand-eye coordination makes for a lot of soft or medium contact. Last season, Stephenson's medium contact percentage was 7% higher than league average, his hard contact 2% lower, creating less opportunity for HRs. So what to do with this information?
He should continue to improve given his relative youth and opportunity with Tucker Barnhardt traded to Detroit this off-season. He appears to be a high average/high on base percentage catcher with a little pop and the potential for more. If some of his medium contact becomes hard contact, he's going to hit 20 HR. His BABIP was slightly high (.333) last season leaving some room for batting average regression but he is a solid bet to hit .260/.340/.750 making him a starting catcher in a 16 team league.
Tier 4
10. Mitch Garver (Minnesota Twins) 2021: .256/.358/.875 29 runs, 13 HR, 34 RBI, 1 SB
If he could only play a full season. Mitch Garver with 450 PAs would be incredible. He had 31 HRs in 359 PAs in 2019. He had 13 HRs in 243 PAs last year. Garver hits bombs. But he can also take a walk. His 13% walk rate ranked him second behind only Yasmani Grandal. He was second in hardhit rate at 54% and second in barrel rate at 17%. He's a top power source amongst catchers. The threats to his playing time are Ryan Jeffers and Ben Rortvedt so Garver should be in line for 400 PAs IF he can stay healthy. That's a huge IF.
Hedging his health and splitting the PAs in 2019 and 2021, if Mitch Garver has 300 PAs in 2022 you could be looking at 20+ HRs. And because he takes walks at a 13% rate, he should be a boost to your OPS and provide run scoring opportunities. Garver is my favorite of the risky power hitting catchers, mostly because his Hit tool is north of anemic and he walks as much as he does. Wishing good health for Mitch Garver and that no one in my fantasy leagues reads this.
11. Mike Zunino (Tampa Bay Rays) 2021: .216/.301/.860 64 runs, 33 HR, 62 RBI, 0 SB
The Rob Deer of catchers. 33 HRs in 375 plate appearances. 33 of his 72 hits were HRs. 24% barrel rate. 47% hardhit rate. 117mph max EV. 91mph avg EV. BIG power.
Did I mention the 35% K-rate? and the .216 average?
a 134 wRC+ is nothing to sneeze at from the catcher position. But you best be sure you can carry his lack of average if it is a category in your league or his hits in a hits league. Will Big-Z repeat? It seems more likely he hits 20-25 HRs, with his average remaining the same. Zunino will never offensively live up to being the #3 pick in the 2012 MLB draft, but he is a serviceable fantasy starter, especially when paired with a higher average/hit tool catcher. Watch his platoon splits, as he hit .342/.419/1.287 vs Left handed pitchers with 16 HRs in 129 PAs and .151/.240/.637 with 17 HRs in 246 PAs vs Righties.
12. Omar Narvaez (Milwaukee Brewers) 2021: .266/.342/.743 54 runs, 11 HR, 49 RBI, 0 SB
Is he puzzled because he is the #12 catcher or because no one sees his value? Serviceable is the word that comes to mind. He won't hurt your average/hit category, contribute double digit HRs, drive in a few, and not kill your OPS. Omar Narvaez ADP is currently pick #262 according to Fantasy Pros. THAT'S ROUND 17! Would you rather have Realmuto in round 4 or Narvaez in round 17? Making up a touch in the counting categories besides steals is worth the 13 round difference, IMO. The 13 steal difference is significant, but not as significant as what i can draft in round 4 vs round 17. Pick Narvaez, pair him with another predictable catcher, like Zunino, watch the platoon splits, and celebrate the player you took in the 4th round.
13. Elias Diaz (Colorado Rockies) 2021: .246/.310/.774 52 runs, 18 HR, 44 RBI, 0 SB
Tip of the cap to Elias Diaz for his 2021 campaign. Regarded more for his hit tool than his power, Diaz hit 18 HRs last season and was a respectable 10th in OPS amongst catchers. Similar to Garver, Zunino, and Narvaez, Diaz is a bottom tier catcher who can be paired to take advantage of home park and platoon splits. His 89% zone contact rate and 16% K-rate shows that he gets the bat on the ball which is huge at Coors but I would not expect any more from Diaz than he provided in 2021. Possibly an increase in average given his .249 BABIP but that's about it. If he is your one and only catcher you'd better have some thump elsewhere.
Tier 5
14. Travis d'Arnaud (Atlanta Braves) 2021: .220/.284/.671 21 runs, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 0 SB
Once the top rated catching prospect in baseball and #22 overall according to mlb.com (2014), Travis d'Arnaud has always teased, tantalized, and under delivered. When healthy, he'll hit double digit homers and hit between .240 and .260 with a walk rate between 6% and 8%. The in-game power that was supposed to differenciate d'Arnaud from the other catchers never materialized. At this point, very similarly to three catchers above Travis in these rankings, given health, he's predictable and vanilla. With Manny Pina signing a 2-year $8 million contract this off-season and William Contreras set to take some PAs as well, d'Arnaud can only hope for the universal DH or every pitcher turn left-handed. Finally, d'Arnaud is not a bad option if you can afford to roster him as a second catcher and play him exclusively against left handed pitching. He has a career .767 OPS and 10% walk rate vs LHP.
15. Gary Sanchez (New York Yankees) 2021: .204/.307/.730 54 runs, 23 HR, 54 RBI, 0 SB
There was substantial debate about who was the top rated catcher heading into 2018. Was it Gary Sanchez or Buster Posey? Oh how the mighty have fallen. 33 HRs and an .876 OPS from a 24 year old catcher? SIGN. ME. UP.
We have come to expect a low .200s average with 20 or so HRs from Sanchez. His walk-rate is above average at 12% but there's too much swing and miss. His zone contact rate is 79%, 6% lower than league average and when he does put the ball in play it is often an out. His BABIP was .230 in 2021 and has not been above .244 since 2017.
The shine on the Gary Sanchez prospect star has turned into gray, mucky NYC plowed snow. He will provide a little power, a few walks, and if you catch him on a good year, perhaps .230/.330/.800 and high 20s HRs. But i wouldn't bet on it.
16. Sean Murphy (Oakland Athletics) 2021: .216/.306/.710 47 runs, 17 HRs, 59 RBIs, 0 SB
Stats look familiar? Another catcher with power and a sub-optimal hit tool.
Murphy hit 17 HRs in 448 PAs last season. 9% walk rate was average, struck out a bit, kind of eh across the board. He is 27 years old without much of a threat to his playing time. Steamer projects a virtually identical season. If you are searching for predictibility with a touch of upside, Murphy is your man. He does have 60 raw power after all? Question is, "am i winning with Sean Murphy as my starting fantasy catcher?"
Honorable Mention
Christian Vasquez (Boston Red Sox)
Carson Kelly (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Tucker Barnhardt (Detroit Tigers)
Max Stassi (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)
Jacob Stallings (Miami Marlins)
Alejandro Kirk (Toronto Blue Jays)
Danny Jansen (Toronto Blue Jays)
Joey Bart (San Francisco Giants)
Jorge Alfaro (San Diego Padres)
Francisco Mejia (Tampa Bay Rays)
Luis Torrens (Seattle Mariners)
Eric Haase (Detroit Tigers)
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