👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
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
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Early 2017 Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings

The 2016 fantasy baseball season may be over, but it’d be laughable to act like the fiending ever stops. Sure, we’re all able to watch some of our favorite players still make swoon with playoff drama, but there’s business to be had.

While players will find new homes during free agency, and can still get hurt doing mundane, offseason things – looking at you Sammy Sosa, with your violent sneezes from hell – it’s safe to say that we can look forward to the 2017 season with a general idea of how to rank these players.

Let’s descend into madness, and look my thoughts on the top players at each position. Assume a standard 5x5 redraft league with the rankings. First on the docket is catchers.

Editor's note: Be sure to also check out our 2017 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. It's already loaded up with tons of great rankings articles and draft analysis. Aside from our tiered staff rankings for every position, we also go deep on MLB prospect rankings, impact rookies for 2017, and dynasty/keeper rankings as well. Bookmark the page, and win your drafts.

 

Early 2017 Rankings: Top-10 Catchers

1. Jonathan Lucroy, TEX – His team option is going to be picked up by Texas, meaning he’ll get to hit in the middle of a solid Rangers lineup. He hit 11 homers with 31 RBIs (.276) in his 47 games (168 PAs) as a Ranger last season, so he should be A-OK here. While Miller Park ranked higher for home runs in 2016 according to ESPN Park Factors, Globe Life Park in Arlington wasn't that far behind and actually ranked better overall for runs. That's far from a foolproof metric, but in case anyone was on the fence about Lucroy's hitting prospects in Texas long-term, r-e-l-a-x.

2. Buster Posey, SF – San Francisco’s franchise catcher saw his stats slip in 2016, as he totaled his lowest homer total (14) for a season outside of 2011. That includes when he hit 18 homers in only 108 games in 2010. His career-low 9.8% HR/FB is weird to see alongside a career-high 36.1% hard-hit rate, so I expect he’ll bounce back. While AT&T Park is bad for hitting homers, it isn't like Posey was just traded to SF. He's done just fine as a Giant in years past, and that should continue in 2017.

3. Gary Sanchez, NYY – I wouldn’t be surprised if the name “Gary” spikes in popularity for babies born in the fall of 2016, as the Yankees top prospect smacked 20 taters in only 53 games (229 PAs). His ludicrous 40% HR/FB rate will drop, but this is a powerful man in a small stadium. Don't expect 40 homers, but that said, it's not outside of his range of outcomes either.

4. Salvador Perez, KC – His power gains from 2015 stuck around, which led to a career-high 22 homers in his age-26 season. His strikeout rate jumping from 14.8% to 21.8% is alarming, but he plays nearly everyday when healthy (his durability record is pretty darn solid) and hits bombs – which goes a long way for a catcher. A durable and powerful catcher makes for a good asset.

5. J.T. Realmuto, MIA – He was one of four regular catchers to end the season with a batting average over .300, and his 12 steals paced the field. His double-digit homers and steals joined his .303 average to give him solid value, and his batted-ball skills are good enough to replicate this in 2017.

6. Yasmani Grandal, LAD – The Dodgers’ backstop launched 27 homers despite hitting only seven in the first three months of the season. He also only batted .179 in those first three months, but then from July 1 on he hit .267 with 20 homers. In 2015, Grandal hit .282 with 14 homers in the first half, only to struggle with a .162 average and two homers from the All-Star game on thanks to a balky shoulder. He has it in him to be great, he just needs the consistency to get there.

7. Russell Martin, TOR – After a horribly cold start to the season (zero homers, .150 average in April), Martin salvaged his season thanks to a three-month stretch from June through August where he hit 281 with 13 homers and 47 RBIs. Toronto is still going to be a mighty fine place to hit in 2017, and Martin is unlikely to replicate his slow start.

8. Evan Gattis, HOU - He started at catcher in 49 games so C-eligibility should be there in all formats, and his 32 homers easily led all backstops, though he only got 72 RBIs for his efforts. His power makes him a strong play from the C-slot everywhere, and even if he only hits 25 in 2017, that should be enough to make him a top-10 play considering Houston's willingness to slot him in at DH in his quest for ABs.

9. Tom Murphy, COL – Nick Hundley’s contract is up and Murphy is ready to become Colorado’s primary catcher. It’s not set in stone, but there’s no reason to bring Hundley back. Murphy is a top prospect who hit 19 homers in only 80 Triple-A games last season before being promoted in September, when he hit five dingers in 21 games for the big-league club. He has power at a scarce position and gets to hit at Coors Field. What more do you need? I'm all aboard with this new generation of the Blake Street Bombers.

10. Brian McCann, NYY – This is a guy who is on the wrong side of 30 who runs slower than a pet rock, but he still hit 20 homers in 492 PAs and should be able to DH a lot on a young 2017 Yankees roster. He’ll still have C-eligibility in 2017, and as long as he gets to hit in that stadium then he’s a decent play at catcher.

 

Catchers #11-20

11. Wilson Ramos, WAS - That whole recovering from a torn ACL thing is a major drag.

12. Willson Contreras, CHC - Great talent, but growing pains are there and frequency of playing time in 2017 will be crucial.

13. Matt Wieters, BAL - You know what you're getting by now. 15-20 HRs, .250-.260 average.

14. Yadier Molina, STL - High average, low power. Rinse and repeat.

15. Stephen Vogt, OAK - He'll chip in modest stats across the board, but you'll never be happy starting him.

16. Travis d'Arnaud, NYM - Would love to see what he could do with a clean bill of health.

17. Cameron Rupp, PHI - Some sneaky pop, but unlikely to exceed 20 HRs along with .250 average.

18. Nick Hundley, FA - Mostly a product of Coors Field, but if Colorado does bring him back then he retains some value.

19. Derek Norris, SD - 14 HRs and 9 SBs in only 125 games was nice, but the .186 average hurt. 30.3% K-rate. Figure it out Derek.

20. Welington Castillo, ARI - Platoon guys aren't ideal, but it's #20 and he's still got some nice pop.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Lars Nootbaar

Slowly Progressing
Isaac Paredes

Trade Talks "Diminishing"
De'Andre Hunter

Ruled Out for Thursday
Kristaps Porzingis

Listed as Questionable, Expects to Play on Thursday
Josh Giddey

Listed as Questionable, Expects to Play on Thursday
OG Anunoby

Questionable to Play on Thursday
Tobias Myers

to be on Mets Opening Day Roster
Coby White

Ruled Out for Thursday, No Timeline for Return
Shohei Ohtani

to Remain in Leadoff Spot in 2026
José Soriano

Jose Soriano to Start Cactus League Opener on Saturday
Brusdar Graterol

Won't be Ready for Opening Day
Dansby Swanson

to Sacrifice Power for Contact This Year?
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Managed Groin Injury Last Year
Tyler Herro

Expected to Practice Thursday
Jonathan Kuminga

to Be Re-Evaluated in One Week
Mitch Garver

Mariners Agree on Minor-League Deal
Evan Mobley

Expected to Play vs. Brooklyn
Jorge Polanco

Being Slow-Played in Spring Training
Keegan Murray

Ready to Play Thursday
Andrew Nembhard

Not Listed on the Injury Report for Thursday
Francisco Alvarez

Unlikely to Play in First Week of Grapefruit League
T.J. McConnell

in Danger of Missing Another Game
Hunter Dobbins

Hopes to be Cleared for Baseball Activities
Trae Young

Still Not Cleared for Contact
Aaron Nesmith

Questionable Versus the Wizards
Pascal Siakam

Won't Suit Up Against Washington
Darius Garland

Considered Week-To-Week
Garrett Mitchell

Fully Healthy This Spring
Nicolas Claxton

Sprains Ankle, Won't Play on Thursday
Dylan Cardwell

Out Four Weeks with Ankle Sprain
Mauricio Dubón

Mauricio Dubon to Open the Year as Braves Shortstop
Joel Embiid

Won't Play on Thursday Evening
Franz Wagner

Facing Multi-Week Absence with Ankle Issue
Domantas Sabonis

Will Miss Remainder of Season
Kyrie Irving

to Miss Entire 2025-26 Season
Quinn Priester

Being Slow-Played in Camp
Konnor Griffin

Unlikely to Make Pirates Opening Day Roster?
Kevin Alcántara

Kevin Alcantara a Good Bet to Make Opening Day Roster?
Griffin Conine

Learning First Base
Ryan McMahon

to Get Reps at Shortstop This Spring
Zebby Matthews

an Option for Opening Day Starting Rotation?
Michael Conforto

Astros Showing Interest in Michael Conforto
Rashee Rice

Accused of Assault by Long-Time Girlfriend
Ben Griffin

Looking to Return to Top Form at Riviera
Keegan Bradley

Looking to Build Momentum at Riviera
J.J. Spaun

Putting a Major Concern at Riviera
Sepp Straka

May Have Tough Time at The Genesis Invitational
Shane Lowry

Trending Up Entering the Genesis Invitational
Justin Rose

Off Most Radars at The Genesis Invitational
Robert MacIntyre

a Long Hitter to Watch at Riviera Country Club
Jake Knapp

Red-Hot Heading to Riviera
Min Woo Lee

Attempts to Build Momentum After Pebble Beach
Harry Hall

an Unknown for The Genesis Invitational
Matt Fitzpatrick

Has Favorable Path to Success at Riviera This Week
Wyndham Clark

Not Likely to Contend at Genesis Invitational
Ludvig Aberg

Might Find the Genesis Invitational More Challenging
Harris English

Carries Strong Form to Riviera
Patrick Cantlay

Eyes Another Strong Week at The Genesis Invitational
Daniel Berger

Needs Short Game to Show Up at Riviera
Sam Burns

Hopes Return to Form Continues at Riviera
Collin Morikawa

Riding Wave of Victory Into Riviera
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Have Repeat Success at The Genesis Invitational
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Find Paydirt at Riviera
Xander Schauffele

Rounding into Form Before Genesis Invitational
Morgan Rielly

Available After Olympic Break
Charlie Lindgren

Practices Fully Tuesday
John Carlson

Ready to Rock After Olympics
Radek Faksa

Unavailable Against Team Canada
Anton Lundell

Good to Go Wednesday
Brandon Bussi

Earns Three-Year Extension
SJ

Sharks Terminating Jeff Skinner's Contract
Mike Evans

Will Return in 2026
Kenneth Walker III

Seahawks Not Expected to Use Franchise Tag on Kenneth Walker III
Bucky Irving

Undergoes Offseason Shoulder Surgery
Tyreek Hill

Says he Will Play in 2026
Joey Logano

Finishes Third in the 2026 Daytona 500
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. Finishes as the Runner-Up in the Daytona 500
Chase Elliott

Falls Short of His First Daytona 500 Victory Again
Brad Keselowski

Ends Daytona 500 With a Top-Five Finish
Tyler Reddick

Wins the Daytona 500 for the First Time with 23XI Racing
Tyreek Hill

Released by Dolphins
Joey Logano

Should DFS Players Roster Joey Logano At Daytona?
Ryan Blaney

Is Ryan Blaney Worth Rostering for DFS at Daytona?
Chase Briscoe

May Not be Worth DFS Consideration for Daytona
Chase Elliott

Is Chase Elliott Worth Rostering At Daytona This Week For DFS?
Austin Cindric

May Be Worth Rostering At Daytona
Cleveland Browns

Browns to Spend Top Draft Picks on Receiver or Offensive Lineman?
Brad Keselowski

Is Brad Keselowski Worth Rostering for Daytona Lineups?
Tyler Reddick

May be A Solid and Sneaky Pick for Daytona Lineups
Alex Bowman

is A Highly Favorable Mid-Tier Option for Daytona
Ross Chastain

Could be A Top DFS Scorer for Daytona
Justin Allgaier

is One of the Safest DFS Options for Daytona
Tim Stützle

Tim Stutzle Matches Team Germany Record With Third Goal
Jack Eichel

Off to Hot Start in Olympics
OTT

Mads Sogaard Injured Saturday
NASCAR

Christoper Bell Emerging As One of The Best at Daytona
William Byron

Trying for Third Straight Daytona 500 Victory
Kyle Larson

Has Never Posted a Top-Five Finish at Daytona
Denny Hamlin

Is Denny Hamlin Overrated at Daytona?
Chris Buescher

an Easy DFS Pick for the Daytona 500
Kyle Busch

on Pole, Still Searching for Elusive Daytona 500 Victory
Lucas Raymond

Ties Team Sweden Record With Three Points Saturday
Anton Lundell

Battling Illness
Kevin Fiala

Out for the Season
David Pastrnak

Gets Off the Mark at Olympics
Macklin Celebrini

Pots Another Goal Friday
Kevin Fiala

Stretchered Off Against Canada
Aaron Rodgers

Likely to Return to Steelers?
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Want Terry McLaurin to Get 10 Targets a Game
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF