2007 Catcher Rankings

2007 Top 15 Catcher Rankings


Joe Mauer


1. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins

2006 stats: .347 average, 521 at-bats, 86 runs, 13 home runs, 84 RBI, 79 walks, 8 stolen bases, 36 doubles, 4 triples, 54 strikeouts, 140 games.

2007 outlook:The 2006 AL batting champ is only 23 and will continue to improve. Mauer hits well with runners in scoring position so his run production should rise. Expect him to hit for a high average and his home run numbers should slightly increase. He will also get you a handful of stolen bases as he runs fairly well for a catcher.

2. Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians

2006 stats: .316 average, 572 at-bats, 82 runs, 16 home runs, 93 RBI, 71 walks, 0 stolen bases, 37 doubles, 0 triples, 78 strikeouts, 153 games.

2007 outlook: Martinez is an offensive catcher who will hit for average (he hit .316 in 06 even with hitting only .165 in a horrific May). He should hit around 20 home runs and have close to 100 RBI. He does not run well. Hitting in front of Travis Hafner can't hurt.

3. Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves

2006 stats: .333 average, 442 at-bats, 61 runs, 24 home runs, 93 RBI, 41 walks, 2 stolen bases, 34 doubles, 0 triples, 54 strikeouts, 130 games.

2007 outlook: McCann, at 23, had a break out year in 06, his first full season in the bigs. He has proved he has the potential to hit for power and average, and will look to build upon last year's success. He has the ability to be a consistent .300, 100 RBI and 20 plus home run catcher.

4. Jorge Posada, New York Yankees

2006 stats: .277 average, 465 at-bats, 65 runs, 23 home runs, 93 RBI, 64 walks, 3 stolen bases, 27 doubles, 2 triples, 97 strikeouts, 143 games.

2007 outlook: The switch-hitting Posada has been a dependable fantasy option over the past seven years. During that time, he has played in 137 or more games, hit 20 or more home runs in 6 of 7 (19 in 05), and racked up 80 or more RBI in 6 of 7 (71 in 05). The career .270 hitter helps little in average but should finish with 20 plus HR, 80 plus RBI, while hitting around .280 in the stacked Yankees lineup.

5. Ramon Hernandez, Baltimore Orioles

2006 stats: .275 average, 501 at-bats, 66 runs, 23 home runs, 91 RBI, 43 walks, 1 stolen base, 29 doubles, 2 triples, 79 strikeouts, 144 games.

2007 outlook: Hernandez, a career .264 hitter, will not help you with average, but will hit around 20 home runs and have 80-90 RBI. He is a dependable hitter and the addition of Aubrey Huff to the Orioles line up will help.

6. Kenji Johijima, Seattle Mariners

2006 stats: .291 average, 506 at-bats, 61 runs, 18 home runs, 76 RBI, 20 walks, 3 stolen bases, 25 doubles, 1 triple, 46 strikeouts, 144 games.

2007 outlook: Johijima was a nice sleeper pick last year in his first year in the majors after coming over from Japan. He will look to build upon last year's successful debut. With a full season under his belt, look for a slight improvement in last years numbers--20 home runs, 80 RBI, and a .290-.300 average.

7. Mike Piazza, Oakland Athletics

2006 stats: .283 average, 399 at-bats, 39 runs, 22 home runs, 68 RBI, 34 walks, 0 stolen base, 19 doubles, 1 triple, 66 strikeouts, 126 games.

2007 outlook: The 38 year old Piazza will play in the American League for the first time in his 16th year in the majors. He will DH for the A's, giving his aching knees a rest, which should lead to a productive season at the plate. Piazza still has some pop left in his bat and should hit 25 plus home runs and have 80 RBI. He is a career .309 hitter, but he has not broke .300 since 2001, so expect him to hit in the .280 range. His switch to DH will lead to more plate appearances this year (he will lose his catcher eligibility next year).

8. Ivan Rodriquez, Detroit Tigers

2006 stats: .300 average, 547 at-bats, 74 runs, 13 home runs, 69 RBI, 26 walks, 8 stolen bases, 28 doubles, 4 triple, 86 strikeouts, 136 games.

2007 outlook: Pudge does not get cheated on his cuts at the plate, he does not walk very often and has had 86 or more strikeouts the past four seasons. The career .300 hitter we still bat around the magic .300 mark this year and runs well for a catcher, so he will get you a handful of stolen bases. At 35 years old, Rodriguez shows no signs of falling in his production at the plate. Playing in Comerica Park, his home runs totals have gone down the past couple of years, but he should still hit 15 and drive around 80.

9. Michael Barrett, Chicago Cubs

2006 stats: .307 average, 375 at-bats, 54 runs, 16 home runs, 53 RBI, 33 walks, 0 stolen bases, 25 doubles, 3 triples, 41 strikeouts, 107 games.

2007 outlook: Barrett enjoyed the most productive season of his career in 2006, in spite of the fact that he missed 55 games. He hit 16 home runs for the third consecutive season, ripped 25 doubles and reached a new career-high mark with a strong .307 batting average. Expect Barrett to grow on last years success with a healthy Derrek Lee in the lineup.

10. Russell Martin, Los Angeles Dodgers

2006 stats: .282 average, 415 at-bats, 65 runs, 10 home runs, 65 RBI, 45 walks, 10 stolen bases, 26 doubles, 4 triples, 57 strikeouts, 121 games.

2007 outlook: Martin emerged as a potential future star following his productive rookie season in 06. There is no where to go but up for the 23 year old, who runs well for a catcher (10 SB, 4 3B). Expect him to hit around .280 with a slight increase home runs and RBI.

11. Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox

2006 stats: .238 average, 365 at-bats, 46 runs, 12 home runs, 55 RBI, 46 walks, 1 stolen base, 19 doubles, 2 triples, 87 strike outs, 103 games.

2007 outlook: Varitek struggled terribly in the first half of the year after three tremendous seasons for the Red Sox. Varitek had appeared in 132 or more games in four consecutive seasons and had averaged 21 home runs and 76 RBI from 2003-2005. A knee injury in August limited him to 103 games last year. Expect a rebound season from the veteran catcher.

12. A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox

2006 stats: .295 average, 509 at-bats, 65 runs, 16 home runs, 64 RBI, 22 walks, 1 stolen base, 24 doubles, 0 triples, 72 strikeouts, 140 games.

2007 outlook: Pierzynski posted his best batting average (.295) since leaving the Twins and added 40 extra-base hits with 64 RBI at the bottom of the lineup. He's been durable during his career, appearing in 128 or more games in five consecutive seasons. Expect .290, 15 home runs and 60 RBI. All though not a platoon situation, at times Pierzynski will share starts with Toby Hall who will play on day games (after night games) and against tough lefties.

13. Paul LoDuca, New York Mets

2006 stats: .318 average, 512 at-bats, 80 runs, 5 home runs, 49 RBI, 24 walks, 3 stolen bases, 39 doubles, 1 triple, 38 strikeouts, 124 games.

2007 outlook: LoDuca is a great contact hitter that rarely strikes out. His first season with the Mets in 06 worked out well as he set career highs in doubles (39), runs (80), and tied his best in hits (163). The career .290 hitter returned to the .300 (.318) mark for the first time in 2 years. LoDuca is durable, he has played in 124 games or more in 6 straight seasons. Last season he showed his toughness by playing most of the season with lingering pain in his left thumb (torn ligaments). His home runs and RBIs should be low, but he will help with average, hits and runs.

14. David Ross, Cincinnati Reds

2006 stats: .255 average, 247 at-bats, 37 runs, 21 home runs, 52 RBI, 37 walks, 0 stolen bases, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 75 strikeouts, 90 games.

2007 outlook: Ross showed his power last year by hitting 21 home runs in just 90 games (247 AB). He has not played a full season in the majors and only hit .255 last year (.231 career hitter). Considered a defensive liability, he could lose starts to Javier Valentin in a possible platoon situation. If Ross gets the at-bats, he could hit 20 plus homer runs and drive in 70 RBI in the hitter friendly Great American Ball Park.

15. Josh Bard, San Diego Padres

2006 stats: .338 average, 231 at-bats, 28 runs, 9 home runs, 40 RBI, 27 walks, 1 stolen base, 19 doubles, 0 triples, 39 strike outs, 93 games.

2007 outlook: Rounding out the top 15 is Bard, my catcher sleeper pick. Bard hit .338 and hit 9 home runs in only 93 games last season. With the off season departure of Mike Piazza, he will get a chance to play everyday in 2007. The 28 year old catcher could hit .300 with 15 home runs and 60 RBI playing full time this year.

The best of the rest...

16. Jason Kendall, Oakland Athletics
17. Johnny Estrada, Milwaukee Brewers
18. Gerald Laird, Texas Rangers
19. Gregg Zaun, Toronto Blue Jays
20. Ronny Paulino, Pittsburgh Pirates
21. Bengie Molina, San Francisco Giants
22. Chris Iannetta, Colorado Rockies
23. Miguel Olivo, Florida Marlins
24. Mike Napoli, Los Angeles Angels
25. Dioner Navarro, Tampa Bay Devil Rays