There’s not much discussion on the top two catchers available in the upcoming fantasy baseball draft.

The only decisions to make is who you grade in the rest of your top-five and what value you place on those top-two in your overall draft strategy. According to Fantasy Pros, catchers won’t jump off the draft board. Catchers rated third through 10 are ranked from 119 to 201 overall.

It’s not a position that generally yields great results. However, with the lack of success with the middle infield, it may be wise to pick up a solid catcher and risk some other positions on potential.

Here’s my top-five catchers heading into the 2016 fantasy baseball draft.

Buster Posey is by far the best catcher available in fantasy baseball drafts. Flickr/SD Dirk
Buster Posey is by far the best catcher available in fantasy baseball drafts. Flickr/SD Dirk

1. Buster Posey, San Francisco

The only question mark with Posey is when to draft him. He’s currently ranked 32nd overall by Fantasy Pros, which puts him in the third round. Catchers aren’t going to be stat monsters, so don’t expect to win your fantasy league with Posey. However, he’s by far the best option and is a consistent option in almost every category, other than stolen bases. He’s played at least 148 games in each of the past four years and batted near or above .300, with an on-base percentage that is among some of the best in the National League. He’s so much more consistent than other options, he’s worth a third-round grade.

2. Kyle Schwarber, Chicago Cubs

In only 69 games, Schwarber was able to put up legitimate numbers last season. However, that’s the only sample size available for his Major League Baseball career, putting me in a panic attack if I have to take him in my fantasy draft. He knocked in 43 runs in those 69 games to go along with 16 homers. If he had played 162 games, those numbers would translate into more than 100 RBIs and 38 home runs. That gives us an idea of his potential, but I highly doubt he’s able to put up those kinds of numbers this season. His average wasn’t great last year in a limited sample at .246, so if that doesn’t improve, I don’t see him being a player who can drive in 90 or more runs. He’s ranked 119th overall, putting him in the 12th round. That wouldn’t be out of the question to his potential, but don’t bank on him being a guarantee.

3. Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee

The thing I like most about Lucroy is that he can be one of the best catchers in terms of batting average. When he played full seasons in 2013 and 2014, he batted .280 and .301. That’s a solid number for catchers in Major League Baseball. As long as he’s on the field, he also can produce in a few other categories, too. He stole nine bases in 2013 and drove in 82 runs in that year. In 2014, he totaled 73 runs and had an on-base percentage of .373. To me, he’s not that far behind Schwarber based on his past production. The biggest question mark is if he can stay on the field, since he missed much of last season.

4. Brian McCann, New York Yankees

McCann isn’t the player he once was, which makes me a bit nervous. However, if he continues his pace, he can be elite at home runs in the catcher position. Last year he tallied 26 home runs to go along with 94 RBIs. The biggest issue, though, is last season was an aberration for McCann. Last season was the first time he’s had more than 75 RBIs since 2011 and the most career home runs. I expect him to hit homers again, since he’s hammered more than 20 home runs in each full season other than 2007. He’s a good option later in the draft based on his ability to be a top-tier catcher in a specific category.

5. Salvador Perez, Kansas City

There’s not much difference in the catchers from this point to the 10th option, so be wise when taking a catcher once the top few are gone. I like Perez in this hole, because I can depend on him to be on the field (he’s been in 138 or more games in each of the last three years) and he’s shown me in the past to produce in the RBI and home run category. He’s not going to get on base, so waive that goodbye when he’s on your team. But he has turned in a .292 batting average in the last three years and he hasn’t generated less than 70 RBIs in the past three seasons.

 

 

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