2024 Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings, Tiers, Analysis - Roto League Drafts

January 5, 2024

RotoBaller's fantasy baseball catcher rankings for 2024 drafts. Lauren's analysis of catcher rankings and tiers for roto leagues (5x5 mixed league drafts).

Last season saw multiple catchers across Major League Baseball emerge as potential future stars, the most obvious being Baltimore's Adley Rutschman. But Seattle's Cal Raleigh, Arizona's Gabriel Moreno, Atlanta's Sean Murphy, and New York's Francisco Alvarez also raised their stock and were difference-makers offensively for their respective teams at points during the MLB season.

Proven former All-Stars such as Philadelphia's J.T. Realmuto, Los Angeles' Will Smith, and Kansas City's Salvador Perez all had down years, whether it be due to age, injury, or simply underperforming. Still, the three veteran backstops can be serviceable to fantasy teams.

Let's look at these catchers and see which tier they fall into in 2024.

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Tier 1 - Catcher Fantasy Rankings

Adley Rutschman is the lone catcher to appear in Tier 1 and earned that ranking in 2023. The 25-year-old was named to his first All-Star Game after posting a .799 OPS along with 12 home runs, 39 RBI, and 55 walks in the first half. He capped off his sophomore season with an even stronger second half, slashing .282/.372/.450 with eight homers and 41 RBI. Overall, he finished the year with a .809 OPS and 128 OPS+ in 154 games, limiting his strikeouts to 101 in 687 plate appearances. He uses the whole field and his offensive performance placed him in the 90th percentile or higher in xwOBA, xBA, K%, BB%, and Whiff%.

Needless to say, the former first-overall draft pick has an extremely bright future ahead of him. He has quickly become the face of the Orioles franchise and a superstar in the MLB -- especially following his electric Home Run Derby performance in which he hit 27 home runs -- 20 from the left side of the plate and seven from the right side. He earned his first Silver Slugger Award in 2023 and even finished in the top 10 in AL MVP voting.

In 2024, Rutschman is projected to hit .259/.357/.434 with 17 home runs and 60 RBI. It wouldn't be surprising if he is the first catcher off the board in most fantasy leagues, meaning his ADP of 37.3 could be even lower.

Tier 2 - Catcher Fantasy Rankings

J.T. Realmuto took a step back offensively in 2023; however, he's still one of the most well-rounded catchers in baseball. He set a new career high in strikeouts with 138 in 540 plate appearances but posted a respectable .762 OPS and added 20 dingers, 63 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. The 32-year-old catcher also played in 135 games, which could have led to a decline in production. He remains at the top of his game defensively, though, ranking in the 100th percentile in pop time and 96th in blocks. The three-time All-Star is projected to slug 20 homers, drive in 74 runs, and steal 17 bases in 2024. With an ADP of 73, he comes at a tremendous value.

Will Smith got into 126 games for the Dodgers last year, with 108 of them as their starting catcher. He slashed .263/.369/.447 in those games with 17 home runs and 69 RBI. The 28-year-old also appeared in 14 games as Los Angeles' designated hitter. He accumulated 21 doubles, two triples, 19 homers, 76 RBI, and 63 walks across 554 plate appearances and was named to his first All-Star Game. Smith figures to bat toward the bottom of the Dodgers lineup in 2024, which shows how deep it is. He is projected to hit .260 with 24 home runs and 79 RBI, culminating in an ADP of 268.

William Contreras had a solid first year with Milwaukee, hence his jump to Tier 2. He appeared in 141 games for the Brew Crew, and his 17-homer, 78-RBI season earned him his first-ever Silver Slugger Award. He batted .289, posted a .825 OPS, 125 OPS+, and added 63 walks. The 26-year-old Venezuelan is projected to slug .442 with 20 homers and 60 RBI in 2024 and owns an ADP of 78.7.

Tier 3 - Catcher Fantasy Rankings

Yainer Diaz will take over as the Astros' primary catcher in 2024. He made his major league debut in late 2022 but did not appear on the World Series-winning roster. It was during the 2023 season that the 25-year-old began to establish himself and make a case for everyday catching duties. He slashed .282/.308/.538 in 104 games last year, and boasted some substantial power -- belting 23 home runs -- and driving in 60 RBI. He has an ADP of 115 and is a potential breakout candidate.

Willson Contreras and the rest of the Cardinals had a strange 2023 season. The 31-year-old had big shoes to fill following the departure of franchise icon Yadier Molina, and St. Louis didn't do a great job of instilling confidence in their new backstop. They demoted him from everyday catching duties in May, only to backtrack on that decision shortly after. The elder Contreras brother ended up in 125 games and added 27 doubles, 20 home runs, and 67 RBI.

Sean Murphy's power appeared to be unlocked by the Braves in the first half of 2023, with the former A's catcher boasting a .999 OPS with 17 doubles, 17 homers, and 55 RBI across 67 games, thus earning an All-Star appearance. It was a different story for Murphy in the second half, however, with the 29-year-old's OPS dropping to an abysmal .585 with just four home runs and 13 RBI in 41 games. In his second year with Atlanta, Murphy is projected to bat .250 and hit 21 long balls with 68 RBI. With an ADP of 148.3, one would hope that Murphy can find the happy medium between his 2023 first- and second-half numbers in 2024.

Tier 4 - Catcher Fantasy Rankings

Gabriel Moreno took a big step forward in 2023, with the former Blue Jays top prospect putting his name on the map with the Diamondbacks during their improbable postseason run. Across 111 regular-season games, the 23-year-old slashed .284/.339/.408 with 19 doubles, seven home runs, and 50 RBI and even earned his first Gold Glove Award. Of course, gaining postseason experience so early in his career is huge and could begin to show its effects through Moreno's offensive output as early as this season.

Salvador Perez had a career year in 2021. He belted 48 home runs and drove in 121 runs, which led all major leagues. Since then, however, the 33-year-old's offensive production has declined, and he has dealt with many injuries. The veteran backstop still hit 23 homers and knocked in 80 RBI in 140 games in 2023, but also had the lowest walk percentage in the AL (3.3%) and a career-high 135 strikeouts. He's past his prime but is still projected to have an ADP of 139.7 and hit 28 homers.

Cal Raleigh hit 30 home runs for the Mariners in 2023, tacking on 75 RBI and 54 walks across 154 games. The North Carolina native possesses a lot of power, placing in the 83rd percentile in Barrel% and 77th in xSLG, but doesn't quite hit for average (.232) and struggles with strikeouts (158). The 27-year-old is projected to take a step back for Seattle in 2024, belting 24 homers and driving in 62 runs while batting .220, making his ADP of 141.5 a fair assessment. However, Raleigh boasts immense upside. It's difficult to simply ignore 30 dingers, after all.

Logan O'Hoppe only appeared in 51 games in 2023 due to an injury, but after coming over in a trade with the Phillies in 2022, the former top prospect is considered the Angels' catcher of the future. He managed a .796 OPS, six doubles, 14 home runs, and 29 RBI across 199 PA in 2023. Should O'Hoppe remain healthy in 2024, he will be an important part of Los Angeles' lineup and, with an ADP of 215.3, an invaluable addition to any fantasy roster. Remember that he still has just 56 games under his belt and is entering his age-24 season, so patience is key.

Tier 5 - Catcher Fantasy Rankings

Francisco Alvarez was once a top-10 MLB prospect, and although he hasn't necessarily resembled that since his debut, he has still shown flashes of greatness for the Mets. He's only 22 years old and has already produced a 25-home run season with 63 RBI. Conversely, he batted just .209 in 2023 with a .721 OPS and 95 OPS+ while striking out 110 times in 423 PA. New York certainly welcomes the power bat but hopes that Alvarez can continue developing his plate discipline at the big-league level.

Jonah Heim had a big first half that led to his first All-Star appearance but an injury-plagued, lackluster second half. He slugged .474 and boasted a .812 OPS with 20 doubles, 12 home runs, and 59 RBI in 79 games. Those numbers dropped significantly in his final 52 games of the 2023 campaign, adding just six homers and 36 RBI. Still, Heim's offensive improvement from previous seasons was a large reason why the Rangers were finally able to get over the hump and win their first World Series title. He's projected to hit 13 dingers and drive in 46 in 2024 and owns an ADP of 195.3.

Keibert Ruiz joined the Nationals in 2021 in the Dodgers' trade for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. In three seasons with Washington, the 25-year-old has slashed a respectable .259/.313/.389 with 27 home runs and 117 RBI. He posted career highs in nearly every offensive category in 2023, and the Nats are hoping he can continue to build upon that in 2024. Ruiz is one to keep an eye on with an ADP of 182.3.

Bo Naylor concluded the 2023 season on a high note with an incredible September in which he slashed .304/.444/.607 with five doubles, four home runs, 13 RBI, and 14 walks. The younger brother of teammate Josh Naylor, Bo has the tools to be successful at the major-league level, as showcased by his strong end to the year. Naylor is projected to slash .239/.339/.470 with a .347 wOBA and 124 wRC+ in 2024. With an ADP of 280, the young backstop is a potential sleeper.

Luis Campusano is a former second-round selection of the Padres in the 2017 MLB Draft. Since making his debut in 2020, he's appeared in 77 games for San Diego and has a career slash line of .274/.316/.415 along with nine home runs and 30 RBI. The 25-year-old is poised to become the Padres' primary catcher in 2024 as Austin Nola was non-tendered and became a free agent in November after batting just .146 in 2023.

Mitch Garver was huge for the Rangers down the stretch after Heim went down with an injury and even played an important role during their postseason run -- hitting a home run in the ALDS, ALCS, and World Series. He signed a two-year, $24 million deal with the Mariners this offseason, where he'll likely serve as Seattle's DH and bring some much-needed pop to their lineup.

Tyler Stephenson, a 2015 first-round pick of the Reds, set new career highs in home runs (13), RBI (56), and walks (47) in 2023. However, he struck out 135 times in 517 PA and owned just a .696 OPS across 142 games. The 27-year-old is certainly not the strongest option at the backstop, but they could be a potential waiver wire option.

Tier 6 and Below - Catcher Fantasy Rankings

MJ Melendez could be better for the Royals if he could be more consistent. However, the 25-year-old transitioned from catcher to outfield for Kansas City in 2023, appearing in 129 games between left and right field and just nine behind the plate. Melendez managed 16 home runs and a .235/.316/.398 slash line in 148 games, and while he ranks in the 91st percentile in hard-hit percentage and 96th in average exit velocity, he is among the lowest percentiles in Whiff% (7th) and K% (18th). He is projected to hit 21 dingers and drive in 68 runs in 2024, with an ADP of 305.3.

Alejandro Kirk had a strong showing in 2022 that earned him an All-Star appearance and Silver Slugger Award, but unfortunately for the Blue Jays, the 25-year-old's production tapered off in 2023. He also started 26 fewer games than the previous year, leading to a drop in his offensive totals. Overall, he produced a .692 OPS along with 16 doubles, eight home runs, 43 RBI, and 42 walks. Luckily, he kept strikeouts to a minimum, K'ing 45 times in 422 PA. If Kirk finds himself in more games in 2024, he may outperform his ADP of 279.7.

Danny Jansen has been the Blue Jays' reliable catcher since his debut in 2018. He splits time with Kirk behind the plate and is a serviceable backup. Last season, he hit 17 homers and had a .786 OPS in 86 games for Toronto.

Shea Langeliers, once a highly touted prospect, displayed his power during his sophomore campaign for the A's, adding 22 homers and 63 RBI in 2023. The 26-year-old represents a lone bright spot in Oakland, but not so much for fantasy rosters.

Austin Wells debuted in 2023 after the Yankees selected him in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft. In the 19 games he appeared in last year, Wells showed why he's been a top prospect with New York since being drafted, belting four homers and adding six doubles and 13 RBI. Now, it's up to the Yanks to decide if he showed enough promise to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster in 2024.

Ryan Jeffers put together a solid 2023 campaign for the Twins, batting .286 with an OPS of .858, 14 home runs, 43 RBI, and 33 walks across 96 games. The 26-year-old figures to be Minnesota's primary catcher in 2024 where he'll continue to develop his offensive skills.

Yan Gomes will return with the Cubs in 2024 after the veteran added 10 home runs and 63 RBI across 116 games in 2023. Entering his third season with Chicago, the 35-year-old looks to be their top catching option, although they have youngster Michael Amaya waiting in the wings.

Elias Diaz posted a career-high in RBI in 2023 with 72 and was named the All-Star Game MVP after hitting a home run to give the National League the win. The Rockies backstop is good for a spot start here and there but would not fare well as an everyday option.

Travis d'Arnaud will be entering his age-35 season in 2024, and with the addition of Sean Murphy last year, he'll likely see less and less playing time for Atlanta. He signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Braves in July 2023 and will be a free agent at the end of the season.

Rene Pinto will take over as the Rays' starting catcher in 2024. He's appeared in just 63 games for Tampa Bay across two seasons, adding eight homers and 26 RBI.

Connor Wong had to pull a ton of weight for the Red Sox in 2023 -- appearing in 126 games -- and played his way into their starting catcher role. He hopes to capitalize on his offensive totals in 2024.

Christian Bethancourt has played with four different teams, including the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023, where he hit .225 with a .635 OPS. The 32-year-old now joins the Marlins for the 2024 season, where he'll likely start in their starting role.

Jake Rogers appeared in just 73 games at the MLB level between 2019 and 21 but had a breakout season for the Tigers in 2023, with a 21-homer, 49-RBI campaign. He's since taken command of Detroit's catching duties and should be their starting backstop in 2024.

Patrick Bailey had a fairly successful rookie campaign for the Giants in 2023, slashing .293/.324/.493 across 40 first-half games following his debut in May. However, his offensive production declined in the second half, bringing down his season totals to a .233 average and .644 OPS. Fortunately for San Francisco, his top-tier defense never faltered.

Gary Sanchez, aside from being the Blake Snell whisperer, has steadily declined since his pair of All-Star seasons in 2017 and 2019. The 31-year-old briefly played for the Mets in 2023 before joining the Padres, where he hit 19 home runs. Now, he joins the Milwaukee Brewers for the 2024 campaign.

Tom Murphy, the veteran backstop, will likely serve as a backup catcher in the Bay. In 2023, he appeared in just 15 games for the Mariners.

Tyler Soderstrom, the A's 2020 first-round pick, debuted last season and played in 45 games. The 22-year-old hopes to bring some pop to Oakland's lineup this year.

Miguel Amaya is another youngster looking to find an everyday role after debuting last season. With the aging Gomes behind home plate, he could be a major factor for the Cubs.

Freddy Fermin might see a bulk of playing time behind the dish this year for the Royals as Melendez joins the outfield and Perez will probably primarily serve as DH. In 70 games in 2023, Fermin (not to be mistaken for Freddie Freeman's evil twin) posted a .781 OPS.

Ivan Herrera, 23, is the likeliest option for the Cardinals backup catcher job.

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