Once thought of as the weakest fantasy position, catcher produced several surprises last year. Sixteen of the Top 20 catchers hit over .280, including nine that batted .300. So balance out the team this year with a quality backstop and forget the old saying of trying to get someone who will not hurt you. UPDATE! lets you know who to take early, late and not at all.




Minnesota Twins
Comment: Remember to rank your players on what you think they will do this year not what they did last year. He will be solid, but do not think of him as a fourth round pick. Think .313 average, 16 home runs, 82 RBI this season.

Atlanta Braves
Comment: Do not be surprised if he ends up No. 1. His power numbers are better than Mauer's and both should settle in and hit for average this year.

Cleveland Indians
Comment: Martinez is more consistent than the younger guns. At least he has done it for more than one season. You're safe here thinking .316-16-93. Bonus: He's first-base eligible.

New York Yankees
Comment: He quietly does it ever year and slips draft after draft. His 63 homers over the last three seasons leads all catchers and 245 RBI rank him second only behind Victor Martinez.

Oakland A's
Comment: He hit .283, with 22 homers and 68 RBI in 399 at bats last year. It's more than ironic he replaces Frank Thomas in the Oakland lineup. He should be replacing Frank Thomas in your overall rankings.

Seattle Mariners
Comment: Any improvement by Johjima will be nice considering he hit .291-18-76. And yes, he will improve this season.

Detroit Tigers
Comment: Power numbers fell for a third straight season. He hit 19 home runs in 2004, 14 in 2005 and 13 last season. I-Rod is 35, so it's hard to believe he will hit for power. But he has always been a good average hitter.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Comment: He surpassed even the Dodgers' expectations last year, hitting .282, with 10 homers, 65 RBI and 10 steals. He won't steal as many bases this season, but keep in mind he only caught 117 games last year. He could hit .278-16-82 over a full season.

Chicago Cubs
Comment: Set a career high in batting average last year. He has hit 16 homers each of the last three seasons. Expect about .285 with 16 homers and he will only play in about 120 games.

Baltimore Orioles
Comment: He is coming off career highs in home runs and RBI. In years past he would have been a Top 3 catcher coming off a .275-23-91 season. Still not a bad option.

Boston Red Sox
Comment: A great bounce-back candidate. Was in almost everybody's Top 3 last year at this time. He's finally healthy, so expect close to his three-year averages of .274-17-66.

Milwaukee Brewers
Comment: He hit .302 and drove in 71 runs last year in just 414 at bats. He will never be the star some thought he might, but you could do a lot worse.

San Francisco Giants
Comment: Hit a career high 19 home runs last year in 433 at bats. At the age of 32, it's tough to think he will improve.

New York Mets
Comment: Unlike most catchers, Lo Duca scores runs (80 last year). He also bats second in a pretty good lineup. His three-year averages are solid (.296-8-62). Expect about the same.

San Diego Padres
Comment: He hit .333 with 9 homers and 40 RBI in 249 at bats last season. The everyday job is his now. If he gets 450 at bats look for .290-18-79. A serious breakout candidate (see below).

San Diego Padres
Comment: He is a big-time sleeper candidate. With Mike Piazza gone, he should no longer have to split time with anyone. This could be a breakout season.

Texas Rangers
Comment: The Rangers thought enough of him to let Rod Barrajas go. He will be a good No. 2 catcher this season as he projects to play five days a week.

Philadelphia Phillies
Comment: He will not help your average but he has hit 32 home runs over the last two seasons. In Citizens Bank Park he should return to his 2005 form when he hit 21 homers and drove in 60 runs.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Comment: He emerged from a crowded young crop of Pirates catchers. He hit .310 with 6 home runs last year. He's a big guy at 6-4, so expect the power numbers to improve.

Colorado Rockies
Comment: Last year in the minors he hit .336 with 14 homers and 48 RBI in 307 at bats. With Javy Lopez already released, more plate appearances are in order here.




Oakland A's
Comment: The days of having to carry Kendall because he will not hurt you is a philosophy most owners have already overcome. Do not draft Kendall because you think he will not hurt you because he will.

Cincinnati Reds
Comment: The Reds' catching situation never works out like you think. So it makes sense that David Ross probably gives way back to Javier Valentin at some point.

Florida Marlins
Comment: Olivo walked a whopping nine times last year in 430 at bats. His second half average slipped to .241 and only hit 6 home runs.

Los Angeles Angels
Comment: He hit only .164 after the Break last year. I would like to think the Angels have better options — and so do you.

St Louis Cardinals
Comment: Unfortunately, defense is not a fantasy category. Batting average is and Molina hit .216 last year. He should improve, but not enough to help your team.