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Lets face it, very few catchers are capable of the elite offensive production to be considered legit dynasty league keepsakes. Owning the cream of the crop catcher can provide a nice boost at fantasy baseball’s scarcest position, but it’s not necessary to win your league.
A popular strategy for many fantasy baseball enthusiasts is to punt catcher altogether. This strategy worked well for me last season when I was able to draft Russell Martin in the 22nd round of a 12 team keeper league. After noting all teams had drafted starting catchers, I was able to wait on the remaining catchers a few additional rounds and really find value. Luck like this can't be guaranteed, but this year I will again take my chances and see what falls to me late in the draft.
In an ideal world, we could add a defensive stat like pitch framing, blocking or stolen base prevention to increase the value of a catcher. Maybe treat the catching position like goaltending in hockey with its own set of stats. A catcher has more defensive responsibility than any other batter, has to study and understand the habits of all batters and pitchers as well as stay in a squat for 9 innings per game while all other batters sit on the pine for half the game. A catcher deserves more respect than relegated to puntable fantasy position, but I digress.
Top 10 Dynasty Catchers For 2016
Make sure to also check out our awesome 2016 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard, where you will find more of my dynasty rankings. You'll also find RotoBaller staff rankings for all positions, tiered rankings starting to ramp up, MLB prospect rankings for 2016, and much more. Okay, let's get to it.
The Indiana Hoosier was the Cubs first round pick in 2014 at fourth overall. He is projected to hit 25 HR and 75 RBI in his sophomore season. He was able to smash 16 HR in only 69 games in 2015 and is tops among catchers with a 39.7 percent hard contact percentage. Schwarbs had comparable production to other top tier catchers in only half the at bats in 2015. It will be interesting to see if he can continue to produce at such a high level for a full season. Schwarber also has OF eligibility, so add to the reasons he is the top catcher to own in 2016.
2. Buster Posey
I can easily make a case for Gerald Dempsey Posey III being Major League Baseball’s MVP for each of the last four seasons, not just when he won in 2012. In terms of a complete player, he can do it all. He is defensively and offensively elite. He led all catchers in 2015 with 9 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved). He also led all catchers with 95 RBI and a .318 Batting Average. The Florida State Seminole will turn 29 this season.
The Boston Red Sox untouchable prospect, Swihart enters the 2016 season as Boston’s catcher of the present and future. Swihart's name sounds more like a teen pop star than a Boston dirt dog, but whatever. The switch hitter was forced into action when Boston lost both Christian Vasquez and then Ryan Hanigan to injuries. Batting .274 with 47 runs in 84 games last year shows the potential Swihart has at the plate. Boston is known to over-hype their prospects, but B-hart is for real. I'm buying.
After breaking out in 2014 with 25 home run, 54 runs, and 80 RBI while batting .273, he followed it up with a .171 average in 23 games before he elected for surgery on his hip. Known as the “Groundhog,” Mesoraco is on track to open spring training healthy. He is 27 years old and should be considered a strong bounceback candidate.
El Nino is a three time All Star and three time Gold Glove winner. He was also the MVP of the World Series. The right hander is basically a lock for around 20 home runs, 50 runs, and 70 RBI while batting .260-.290. Perez is also a workhorse. Only Derek Norris (147) and Posey (150) played in more games last season.
6. Travis d’Arnaud
D'Arnaud is the second piece of the Noah Syndergaard for R.A. Dickey deal that sent both highly rated prospects to the Mets. Syndergaard is an ace in the making and d’Arnaud has more upside than anyone on this list besides Swihart. d’Arnaud will be sharing catching duties with Kevin Plawecki, Regardless, d’Arnaud should be considered a top 10 option behind the plate in 2016.
Realmuto converted from SS to C in 2013. A superb athlete and smart player, he has adapted to the position and was productive in his rookie season with a .298 wOBA and 47 RBI in 126 games for the Marlins. Beating out Jarrod Saltalamacchia for the starting catcher role, Realmuto was a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners last year. Early 2016 projections are bullish on Realmuto with double digit potential in both HR and SB.
After breaking out offensively in 2013, Lucroy is projected by STEAMER for 15 HR and 50 RBI while batting .270. For what it is worth, Lucroy has batted over .300 in both 2012 and 2014 and .280 in 2013. I consider Lucroy a safe bet to hit closer to .300 and be among the top six catchers in 2016. Entering his age 29 season, he has marginal long term value.
9. Matt Wieters
We are still waiting for Wieters to live up to his prospect hype. After all the injuries, you have to wonder if he can even regain his 2013 form. At 29 years old, will this be Wieters’ season? Can he hit over 21 HR’s again? Steamer projects Wieters to hit 14 home runs, 46 runs, and 50 RBI. As such, he's probably not a safe bet for a keeper, but he has potential.
10. Brian McCann
McCann had his best season in almost a decade for the Yankees in 2015. Plan for some regression, but if you are planning on keeping him, he should be a potential top seven catcher for the 2016. Then again, if you plan on keeping McCann, maybe just blow it up and start all over.
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