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Click here to get fantasy baseball advice on cheap waiver replacements for underperforming catchers. Read our fantasy baseball strategy for waiver catchers.
Outside of several top-tiers players like Buster Posey, Carlos Santana and Yadier Molina, you'll be hard-pressed to find a guaranteed fantasy producer at catcher. If you're in a bind and needing a better option at catcher, Rotoballer will help you out. Here are some cheap catchers who you should consider if you need a short-term replacement for Jesus Montero:
1) Francisco Cervelli: C (Yahoo owned: 5%, CBS owned: 27%): Tasked with the starting job this year, Cervelli’s been showing that he is deserving of this opportunity. He’s come out doubling his career BB rate and cutting his K rate in half. His 2 HR are a bit surprising and it’s too soon to say whether the power is for real. The .324 BABIP he has is right in line with his career rate, which means that the .310 average is definitely within his upper limits. Ride him while he’s hot-- he should see consistent playing time, and as long as he's playing like he has something to prove he could be a valuable addition at a thin position.
2) Jarrod Saltalamacchia C (Yahoo owned: 28%, CBS owned: 40%): Will this be the year he finally puts it all together and goes for 30 HR and a .270 average? We won’t get that carried away and make that affirmative statement, but another 25 HR season with a .240 average is definitely within reach. 25 HR from the catcher position is legit-- Wilin Rosario led all catchers last year with 28 HR, but after him, there are only a few guys who can come close that matching that output. Salty is still striking out way too much – a 35% K rate so far means that his power remains his best (only?) attribute. Look to him for a quick power and RBI boost, but don’t expect too much more
3) Chris Iannetta C (Yahoo owned: 11%, CBS owned: 31%): He’s a pure power hitter who’s never been able to stay healthy or even hold down a job for a full year. Now he’s the starter on a stacked Angels team, and he's not being counted on to carry a batting order like he was in his Rockies days. In 400 AB, he is a no-doubt 20 HR hitter. It’s the average that holds him back from being a must-have player. We like him as someone to take a chance on. As a strong defensive backstop on a Mike Scioscia team, expect him to hold down the job as long as he remains healthy.
4) Alex Avila C (Yahoo owned: 30%, CBS owned: 55%): At this point it’s not clear if he’s a has-been or is a month away from breaking out. In 2011, he benefitted from a ridiculous .366 BABIP, ending up with a .295 average, 19 HR and 63 RBI. Now he has started the year slow and is sporting a putrid 0.13 BB/K which is significantly worse than his career rate of 0.55 BB/K. We’re not recommending him as an immediate add at the moment, but there is serious potential that he could regain some of his 2011 form. His 2 HR so far is probably the most promising part of his statlineto date. Keep an eye on him and monitor that BB/K rate. If that starts improving, it could be an early sign that he’s seeing the ball better.
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Be sure to check out RotoBaller's Ultimate Waiver Wire Watch List to find information about possible waiver gems at every position.
