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Like every year, the catcher position is among the toughest to evaluate. If you didn't get Adley Rutschman, Will Smith, or William Contreras in drafts this year, chances are you have been frustrated with your starting catcher's production in fantasy.
J.T. Realmuto (knee) is currently on the injured list, and catchers like Jonah Heim, Sean Murphy, and Luis Campusano have all disappointed for most of the year. However, there are still plenty of options at the position that fantasy managers can pick up ahead of Week 16 (July 8 to July 21).
So, here are three catchers managers should pick up before Week 16 begins. All three of these catchers are also available in more than 60% of Yahoo! leagues. All stats in this article are through Thursday's games.
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Catcher Waiver Wire Adds
Gabriel Moreno, Arizona Diamondbacks (38% Rostered)
After a strong 2023 campaign, Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno was a fantasy sleeper in the later rounds of fantasy drafts this season. Last year, Moreno hit .284 at the plate with seven home runs, 19 doubles, and 50 RBI across 111 games. He also hit four more home runs and drove in 12 more runs in 17 postseason games.
However, Moreno struggled out of the gate in 2024. He entered June with a .230 average with one home run, six doubles, and 17 RBI, and then went on the injured list at the end of June with a thumb injury. But since his return from that thumb sprain, the 24-year-old has shown his potential at the plate again. In three games back, he is 7-for-13 with one home run, two doubles, one stolen base, and four RBI.
#Dbacks C Gabriel Moreno since returning from injury:
3 G, 7 for 13 (.538), 2 R, 12 TB, 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI, BB, 2 K, SB.
Moreno is hitting .250 on the season, the first time he's hit the .250 benchmark since May 10th.
— Arizona Diamondbacks | Stats & Info (@DbacksStatsInfo) July 5, 2024
While it is a small sample size, Moreno has definitely been seeing the ball better at the plate. He is hitting .292 with three HRs, seven doubles, and 13 RBI over his last 19 games dating back to June 1. As a result, the Diamondbacks catcher should be on every fantasy manager's radar heading into Week 16.
He has two three-hit games since his return from the IL, and Arizona also has a seven-game schedule this upcoming week. So, Moreno should see at least five starts behind the plate in Week 16, making him a nice add at the catcher position.
Elias Diaz, Colorado Rockies (33% Rostered)
Before landing on the IL with a calf strain in the middle of June, Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz was one of the most productive hitting catchers this season. Diaz was hitting .303 with five HRs, 12 doubles, and 28 RBI through his first 55 games. Then, he injured his calf on June 10.
Nonetheless, Diaz hasn't missed a beat at the plate since returning from the IL on June 30. He has a hit in five straight games while going 7-for-22 (.318 average) with two doubles. With the way the veteran is hitting this season, he deserves to be rostered in more than 33% of Yahoo! leagues. The Rockies catcher has also tallied a hit in 13 of the past 17 games he has appeared in, which has lifted his batting average to an impressive .305 on the year.
The Colorado Rockies announced the following moves today:
- Reinstated C Elias Díaz from the 10-day injured list.
- Designated INF Elehuris Montero for assignment.The Rockies’ 40-man roster is at 39.
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) June 30, 2024
On paper, Diaz might not look like the most appealing waiver wire target ahead of Week 16. He is 33 years old and plays for the Rockies, so managers likely think he doesn't have much upside at the catcher position in fantasy. However, playing at the most hitter-friendly ballpark at Coors Field should help boost his overall numbers. The 10-year veteran is hitting .307 with three HRs and 21 RBI at home this season. That makes him a sneaky add in fantasy right now.
Ben Rice, New York Yankees (20% Rostered)
New York Yankees catcher Ben Rice was on this list a couple of weeks ago right after his MLB debut. Since then, Rice continues to impress at the major league level. In 15 games with the Yankees, the 25-year-old is batting .262 with one home run, three doubles, and five RBI. He also appears to be in a nice groove at the plate as of late.
Rice has a hit in four of his last five games, and he just belted the first home run of his career on July 4. New York is also not afraid to bat him atop the lineup, which should lead to more run-scoring and RBI opportunities. In three of the past five games, the 25-year-old has hit top four in the order. On Thursday, he hit in the leadoff spot, making him a sneaky fantasy option ahead of Week 16.
Ben Rice CRUSHES his 1st MLB home run! pic.twitter.com/mLZCBdiZTR
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 4, 2024
Rice might not be the biggest name in fantasy just yet since he is just 15 games into his major league career. But he has a ton of potential in this Yankees offense in 2024. The 25-year-old hit .324 with 20 HRs and 68 RBI across three minor league levels in 2023, and he followed that up by hitting .275 with 15 HRs and 36 RBI in the minors this season. Managers should pick up the young catcher/first baseman now before he gains more recognition.
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