4 years agoCatcher J.T. Realmuto followed up his 2018 and 2019 All-Star campaigns with another excellent performance in the shortened 2020 season. Realmuto posted 11 home runs, 32 RBI, a .266/.349/.491 line, and a 123 OPS+ in 195 plate appearances. Despite a slight decrease in batting average, likely due to an increase in his ground ball rate and decrease in his line drive rate, Realmuto's hitting metrics again supported his impressive performance. His overall exit velocity remained consistent with his 2019 EV figure. His hard-hit rate, essentially, mirrored his hard-hit rates from 2018 and 2019, and he saw a significant increase in barrel rate (13.6% from 8.7% in 2019) that was in the top-12 percent in all of MLB. Furthermore, Realmuto registered an elite 95.5 mph EV on FB/LD (up from 94.4 mph in 2019) which put him in the top-30 of all qualified MLB hitters in 2020. These numbers all suggest that there should be no regression concerns in the HR, RBI, and runs categories for 2021. With Realmuto opting to re-sign with the Phillies, he will remain in the middle of a potent lineup in a hitter's park, which only serves to solidify his standing as the top fantasy catcher in MLB. Realmuto is, justifiably, being taken as the first catcher off of draft boards at an ADP of 39.34. His ADP has slipped a bit due to a fractured thumb that he sustained in late-February. He's yet to make his Grapefruit League appearance but has been taking at-bats in simulated games. The Phillies are just being extra cautious with their $115.5 million investment. He's in no danger of missing Opening Day. Coming off a shortened but solid 2020 campaign, which followed a 2019 campaign where Realmuto led all catchers in at-bats, runs, hits, RBI, and stolen bases, managers should confidently draft Realmuto in the early rounds. He will provide elite HR, RBI, and run totals to go with a .270 average and some steals at a very thin position.--Nick Ritrivi - RotoBaller