X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Early 2020 ADP Reflections - Catcher

Ellis Canady discusses catchers who can potentially help your fantasy baseball team in mixed redraft or two-catcher leagues for the 2020 season.

When a baseball season ends, the following season can’t come here soon enough for some fans, myself included. We start thinking about what we want to see from some players, which includes letdowns, bounce-backs, and even young prospect candidates. Instead of letting them bounce off the brain walls, let’s put these musings into digits. This includes things to watch out for as the season approaches that will affect drafts and in-season management. Some will force further research in the offseason.

This series will provide a few nuggets of info to look out for at each position, starting with catchers. Ok, nuggets at catcher might be a little exaggerated as the position seems to be a wasteland, as it was to start 2019. This also begs the question as to why most fantasy baseball series start with the catcher position. Maybe it is just to remove it from the path early, so there is nothing but sunny days ahead. Regardless, here's to hoping for a few pleasant surprises as there was last year. **toasts with bourbon du jour**

While this isn't a 2020 positional preview series,  a preview isn’t necessary for the catcher position as a whole; it is a disaster. Looking at early NFBC results, it appears vital to have a strategy for catchers going into drafts, particularly for Draft & Hold and two-catcher leagues. A recommended option would be to grab at least one reliable player in the first 10 rounds. An alternative is to grab a couple of mid-tier catchers, but this is where the flaws start to increase. It is not advisable to leave the 20th round without two catchers (if applicable). Regardless of your catcher opinions, the important thing is to make sure you have a strategy so you’re not wading in the pool of mediocrity.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

Accelerating Off The Line

*NFBC leagues have opened for business, and ADP information has started compiling for the 2020 season. Just keep in mind these are draft & hold leagues, which will have a slightly different strategy than traditional leagues. This is another reason to use the ADPs as a reference point, not as the gold standard of where to select players.

  • J.T. Realmuto (ADP: 62) is the cream of the crop but you won't have to pay 2019 prices despite a weaker player pool.
  • Yasmani Grandal (ADP: 105) falls right into another positive situation. The White Sox lineup is young with the potency to provide daily thumpings in the near future. He comes with a sixth-round ADP.
  • Superhero of the position in 2019, Mitch Garver (ADP: 113). Can you imagine if he took the bat off the shoulder more often (35%Swing)? People will gleefully jump to own him in 2020. That’s smart as the Twins lineup is still potent, and he doesn’t have to share duties with Jason Castro (ADP: 469). Of course, there is always La Tortuga, Willians Astudillo (ADP: 332), who returns to relevancy in two-catcher leagues and becomes a sneaky pick late.
  • Will Smith (ADP: 154) is the sixth catcher off the board. I’d like to have a piece of the Dodgers lineup too, but his current draft location might have me waiting.
  • Salvador Perez (ADP: 193) has dealt with injuries the last couple of years (knee and Tommy John surgery). A move to first base would be smart for Perez’ durability, which would subsequently benefit fantasy owners. A catcher with power and a solid average in the 12th round is useful only if he can stay on the field.
  • The light sleeper of 2020, Carson Kelly (ADP: 231). Everyone will see how well he did when removed from Yadier Molina’s shadow. He had a drastic improvement in Launch Angle (14.3-degrees), Exit Velocity (89mph), and BB rate (13.2%) and will likely produce more than the 18HR, .245AVG of 2019. No doubt, he'll become the "guy I want to grab” for many individuals. Of course, we will have to monitor his splits versus righties.
  • Back-stage passes for Omar Narvaez (ADP: 242) (.278/.353/.460 slash line) as he leaves Seattle for a new abode in Milwaukee. Watch how speaking a player's name in the same breath as the Brewers causes a surge in ADP.

 

Coasting Down Main Street

  • I want to see Sean Murphy (ADP: 246) overcome his knee issues. As it was only 60 plate appearances, nobody should be looking at his home performance (.143AVG and 57.1%Ground-ball rate), given a .154BABIP. He’ll get the start over Josh Phegley (ADP: 472).
  • How much did the thumb injury affect Yadier Molina's (ADP: 273) performance?  I’ll watch for quality, but he should still provide more quantity than most. Maybe it’s naivety, but his draft spot is worth checking to see if Molina can go another round versus the Father of Time.
  • Jorge Alfaro (ADP: 232) has the power and playing time to be a solid option. Can he be satisfied with what is in the box? Hopefully, the year of experience will encourage even the slightest of improvement in plate discipline (51% Chase and 64% Contact rates) to start the season.
  • Tom Murphy (ADP: 311) evidently doesn’t need Coors (18HR, .273AVG) and he now has the spot all to himself with the departure of Narvaez. Murphy's splits versus lefties (career .274) are nice; we will avoid games versus right-handers.
  • The past hasn’t been impressive, but Tucker Barnhart (ADP: 345) made some post-surgery adjustments at the plate for the second half of 2019. The results were very good in the walk (11.9%), strikeout (18.6%), and batting average (.273) categories. The cost is nothing to see if he can replicate the adjustments.
  • Is Victor Caratini (ADP: 386) the best non-handcuff handcuff of the position? Not yet, but he made a quality first impression and demonstrated an ability to get on base (.348OBP).

 

Stuck In The Mud

  • Many people are making every attempt to avoid Buster Posey (ADP: 278). His .260 average isn’t enough to justify less than 10 homers and a team context that provides inferior counting stats. I’d agree with the masses, even in two-catcher leagues. Current opposition stalls out in the 18th round.
  • Can Chance Sisco (ADP: 420) take advantage of Camden Yards this time around? He had an increased exit velocity(89mph), improved contact rate (72.6%), and reduced ground-ball rate (38.1%). It didn’t help his performance just yet. Will his ADP be low enough to throw a penny in the wishing well?
  • It is a slippery slide, and Danny Jansen (ADP: 298) is at the very bottom, covered in the muck of a forgettable 2019 season. Was it all that bad? In most cases, yes. Despite a 40% Hard Hit rate, it isn’t ideal to pull the ball 54% of the time and hit for a .175AVG against the four-seamer. However, if he can improve them and hold off Reese McGuire (ADP: 453), he might turn a profit, which will depend on where his draft spot ends up.
  • Zack Collins (ADP: 531) was the catcher of the future for the White Sox until the Grandal acquisition. As of now, Collins, Grandal, and James McCann (ADP: 287) will have to split time at catcher and DH. McCann’s .359BABIP and 89.9mph exit velocity provided a serviceable season for many owners but would be best suited in a new locale.
  • Mike Zunino (ADP: 467) has power and strikeouts(33.9%). I could buy the upswing. Ok, it's an easy bet given a .165AVG and 19.2-degree launch angle. Ay Oh! Dad joke complete. Now, can the Rays hitting coach help Zunino get better?

More 2020 Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Max Fried

Exits Start With Blister
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Hunter Dobbins

to Miss Rest of Season With Torn ACL
Nolan Arenado

Held Out of Lineup on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Carlos Correa

Sitting on Saturday
Austin Riley

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Nolan Arenado

Exits Friday's Contest With Sprained Finger
Jake Burger

Expects to Play on Saturday
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Wyatt Langford

Records Four-Hit Night
Cal Raleigh

Homers Twice, Drives in Five
Cody Bellinger

Swats Three Homers in Victory
Jake Burger

Leaves With Quad Discomfort on Friday
Carlos Correa

Exits Game With Mild Ankle Sprain
Edward Cabrera

Dealing with Posterior Elbow Discomfort
Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF