Catcher:
1. Victor Martinez
Head and shoulders above the rest, Victor Martinez leads the pack among American League catchers. Although a
positional switch has been in the works for a while in order to preserve Victor’s legs (and career), his offensive prowess as
a backstop is unique. Few catchers in the major leagues, much less American League, are capable of posting 25 homers,
100+ RBI, and a .300+ average. He will be a prize at draft or auction, so do not expect a bargain, but Martinez is well worth
the investment.
2. Kenji Johjima
Johjima is not the 30+ home run threat he was in Japan, but as far as options behind the plate go, he is among the better.
His pristine health history and the fact that KJ is entering his contract year, make Johjima a prime target for 2008. At age
31, decline is imminent. But, excellent physical conditioning should buffer against any steep drop-offs. Johjima could be
good for 18+ homers and 70+ RBI to go with a .290 average. He lacks the high ceiling of Mauer and the glitz of Victor
Martinez, but there are few safer bets at backstop than Kenji Johjima.
3. Joe Mauer
When he is healthy, Joe Mauer will win or contend for batting titles. When unhealthy (which sadly is more frequent than not
in his brief career), Mauer is an unremarkable option at catcher that will cost more than the statistical dividends he pays
owners. Joe’s ceiling is unbelievably high, and we cannot discount his talent, but Mauer’s penchant for injury has sapped
his status among the elite backstops. He is still just 25 years old, so a bounce-back season is probable. But, expect 10+
homers, 7+ steals, and a .300+ average.
4. Jorge Posada
When you look up “contract year” in the dictionary, you will see Jorge Posada’s name right beside Adrian Beltre’s name.
Jorge was locked-in from beginning to end during 2007, ending with a .338 average, 20 homers, and 90 RBI. Indeed,
Posada cashed in on that spectacular 2007 effort. With a big contract under his belt, and at age 36, we are expecting
decline in 2008. How much decline is the question. Still a top five option at catcher, even while in the twilight of his career,
Jorge Posada may be overvalued based on last season’s explosive offensive performance. Posada’s power should
approach 20 home run levels again, but the batting average will likely look a lot more like 2005 and 2006’s .260-.270 clips.
5. Jason Varitek
Boston Red Sox team captain Jason Varitek recaptured some of his former glory in 2007, belting 17 homers, driving in 68
runs, and leading his club to a World Series title, all at age 35. After a weak 2006 campaign, Jason is back among the top
AL-only options at catcher. While he is never going to approach a .300 batting average, nor is Varitek likely to surpass 20
homers, Jason’s lengthy track record of offensive accolades and surrounding cast make him a solid pick again in 2008.
6. Ramon Hernandez
Few fell so far, so fast as Ramon Hernandez in 2007. After 23 long-balls in 2006, Hernandez mustered only 9 in 2007.
Having had his power sapped by nagging oblique and groin injuries, a healthy Ramon Hernandez is expected to perform
closer to previous levels. So, when preparing for your draft or auction, let updated injury reports dictate (more than our
rankings) his worth. If healthy, expect 15+ homers and 70+ RBI with a serviceable .270+ average.
7. AJ Pierzynski
Call him what you will (teammates have not given glowing reviews of Pierzynski as a clubhouse presence), we call him
consistent. Good for double digit homers and 60+ RBI per season, and having enjoyed a monstrous second half during ’
07, we expect more of the same from this seasoned 31 year old catcher.
8. Daric Barton
Although moneyball phenom, Daric Barton is expected to limit his defensive duties to first base in 2008, he may still qualify
at catcher in your league, depending on format, so cash in on this undervalued backstop if you can. If Barton logs time at
first, DH, and catcher, he also may rack up the at-bats, and consequently numbers. He is not a legitimate threat to eclipse
20 homers or drive in 100 runs, but Barton may bat .300+ and knock 10 long-balls, making him a value at number 8 on the
big board.
9. John Buck
Fantasy GMs that discount batting average may consider it near-blasphemy that Buck is not ranked higher on our list.
However, his career average of .237 and .245 peak are approaching embarrassingly low levels for this 28 year old
backstop. The power is there and there is still room for growth, but unless you plan on picking up the tandem of Albert
Pujols and Todd Helton to off-set Buck’s anemic average, approach with caution. Expect a slight rise to .240.
10. Kurt Suzuki
Hawaii’s own Kurt Suzuki is a typical product of the Billy Beane/Oakland A’s farm system. With an outstanding strikeout to
walk ratio, Suzuki is a patient hitter who can put the ball out of the park more than most backstops. With 7 homers and 39
RBI in just over 200 at bats, there is certainly cause for excitement about Kurt’s emergence. While he will probably never
approach Piazzaesque offensive output, he does have the potential to bat .265+ with 10 homers as soon as 2008.
11. Jarrod Saltalamacchia
If not for Gerald Laird, the starting catching job would be a given for Salty. For an aging prospect, Laird has not gracefully
bowed out of contention for work behind the plate, and has made handing Jarrod the job difficult. However, Jarrod
Saltalamacchia is the catcher (or possibly first baseman, save for the acquisition of Ben Broussard) of the future in Texas,
so expect some streakiness and stumbles along the way to potential stardom. Salty was good for 11 long-balls in just 300
at bats in 2007, and should exceed that total in 2008 with adequate playing time.
12. Ivan Rodriguez
My how the mighty have fallen. Former AL Rookie of the Year, perennial All-Star, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glover, IRod
has become a serviceable if unremarkable option at catcher in AL-only formats. His horrific strikeout to walk ratio makes
him a liability in formats that penalize whiffs and reward free passes, but in traditional 4x4 or 5x5 formats, Rodriguez still has
some value, even at age 35.
13. Kelly Shoppach
The catcher of the future in Cleveland is not named Victor Martinez - it’s Kelly Shoppach. Martinez has been in the midst of
a defensive transition to first base for the past few seasons in an effort to prolong his career. Shoppach’s bat has certainly
reaffirmed the logic behind the switch. In just 161 at bats in 2007, Kelly hit 7 homers and drove in 30 runs. In his final full
season as a minor leaguer, Shoppach belted 26 homers in just 371 at bats in 2005, so the power is there. Although he has
more value in keeper-league formats, take a flier on Kelly Shoppach in any format and expect around 10+ homers and a .
250+ average.
14. Dioner Navarro
The potential is there, without question, but Dioner Navarro has found difficulty keeping his batting average above the
Mendoza line throughout his brief big league career. Unremarkable in the power department, Navarro still has some
offensive upside at a mere 23 years of age, but expect little and hope for the best from this former Yankee farmhand.
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