RADIO
Updated catcher (C) fantasy baseball rankings and tiers for H2H points leagues (February updates). Nick Mariano is a top-accuracy fantasy baseball ranker.
At RotoBaller HQ, we are wrapping up our points leagues rankings positional series, and today, we review catchers. Unless you are in a two-catcher format, fantasy managers can wait until the later rounds to draft their starter. Cal Raleigh is the only elite option and the only catcher ranked within the top 75 overall of our rankings. Below, we break down catchers with our updated 2026 fantasy baseball catcher rankings for points leagues and head-to-head (H2H) points leagues. These C rankings are updated for February and cover the top 50 catchers.
The catcher rankings below are specifically designed for points leagues. We also have many other fantasy baseball rankings, tools, and resources to help you win in 2026. Throughout the preseason and MLB season, we'll be publishing rankings, tools, and analysis articles, all geared for fantasy baseball points and H2H points leagues -- so bookmark that link and be sure to check back often.
In the article below, we will be taking a look at our third base points rankings list put together by RotoBaller's MLB expert Nick Mariano. These rankings cover the top 50 catchers. Be sure to also download our free fantasy baseball mobile app so you can stay on top of all the MLB news and analysis articles.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball draft tools and resources:- Fantasy baseball draft kit
- Fantasy baseball rankings
- Team Sync platform and Draft Assistant
- Fantasy baseball mock draft simulator
- Fantasy baseball draft cheat sheets
- Fantasy baseball closer depth charts
- Fantasy baseball prospects
2026 Catcher Rankings: Points Leagues
These C rankings are for points and head-to-head points leagues. You can also see our roto fantasy baseball rankings.
Before we get to the rankings, let's quickly review points leagues and how they differ from other formats. Typically, points leagues have different league settings and scoring formats than other fantasy baseball leagues. Different MLB stats and categories are assigned different point values, and those can vary by individual league settings. Those different point buckets are then added up over the course of a scoring period or season.
In many cases, hitters who walk more and strike out less are preferred for points leagues. Also, many league formats tend to give more weight to pitchers than normal, as they can easily accrue points through categories like Innings Pitched. These are the general frameworks that we use for our points league rankings below, and explain why they look different than more standard 5x5 roto fantasy baseball rankings.
Fantasy Baseball Catcher News
Ben Rice, New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are bringing veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt back on a one-year deal, which could negatively affect the playing time for left-handed-hitting first baseman Ben Rice in 2026. Manager Aaron Boone said last month that Rice would play a lot against left-handed pitchers this year, but that could change a bit now that Goldy is back in the fold.
Although Goldschmidt isn't the hitter he once was, he did kill southpaws in 2025 to the tune of a .336/.411/.570 slash line and .981 OPS in 168 plate appearances. The 26-year-old Rice hit only .208 against lefties in 119 regular-season plate appearances, although he did slug .481 against them with seven home runs.
Goldy's return isn't great news for Rice's overall fantasy upside, but he will still be on the strong side of a platoon and can also pick up playing time behind the plate. RotoBaller considers Rice a top-10 first base option in 2026.
Hunter Goodman, Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman broke out in 2025, slashing .278/.323/.520 with a whopping 31 home runs, 91 RBI, and 118 wRC+. His discipline numbers weren't great; he had a 5.7% walk rate and 26.3% strikeout rate. Still, the power arguably outweighs the whiffs, especially from a fantasy baseball perspective. He also took major strides behind the plate, posting 4.2 defensive fWAR, the first positive mark of his career.
Furthermore, Goodman amassed 2 FRV. The 26-year-old is locked into the Rockies' starting catcher role for 2026. Between swinging the bat well, playing almost every day, and getting half of his games at Coors Field, Goodman is an intriguing fantasy backstop. He ranks #6 among catchers in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
Yainer Diaz, Houston Astros
Catcher Yainer Diaz won his salary arbitration case against the Houston Astros on Tuesday, a source told Francys Romero. Diaz will make $4.5 million in 2026 after the Astros filed at $3 million. In his fourth year in the majors with the Astros in 2025, Diaz slashed .256/.284/.417 with a .701 OPS, 20 home runs, 70 RBI, and 56 runs scored in 143 games and 567 plate appearances.
It was the second time that the 27-year-old backstop had 20 homers in his career, but his batting average fell more than 40 points. The free-swinging catcher still makes plenty of contact despite his lack of plate discipline, but fantasy managers certainly expect another high average after he was buoyed by a .338 BABIP in 2024.
Diaz's low walk rate makes him a liability in leagues that count on-base percentage. But with plenty of pop at catcher and everyday playing time, Diaz is a low-end No. 1 catching option in fantasy baseball.
Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh had unprecedented success last year, breaking through for 60 home runs and 125 RBI. He's clearly the top bat available at a thin catcher position, and the fact that he's in the lineup almost every day, either behind the plate or at DH, makes him an even more valuable asset at one of the thinnest fantasy baseball positions.
Raliegh played 159 games for the Mariners last year, hitting .247 with those 60 homers and a .392 wOBA while also adding in a sneaky 14 stolen bases. Big Dumper cut down on his strikeout rate and increased his barrel rate to a career-high 19.5%. He has at least 30 homers in three straight seasons and will be 29 when this season begins.
There's likely to be some regression since no switch-hitting catcher has been so productive, but he was better than every other catcher by such a wide margin that he's still a great fantasy option for 2026. Barring injury, we should have a few more seasons of peak Raleigh, and he makes a lot of sense as an early target in most formats, where no other catcher comes close to matching his upside and production.
Agustin Ramirez, Miami Marlins
Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez had a strong offensive season overall in his first year in the majors, and he showed enough upside to be a starter at the position in almost all formats in 2026. The 23-year-old made his MLB debut in April and played 136 games for Miami, totaling 33 doubles, 21 homers, 67 RBI, and a .231 batting average. His 47% hard-hit rate and 11% barrel rate back up his .302 wOBA and show the potential for even more power production as he adjusts to the league. In September, he hit just two homers in 25 games and was held to a .267 wOBA. He has been working on adjustments and improving his defense behind the plate this offseason and will look to be a regular bat in the middle of the Marlins' young lineup. He is definitely a young player with a high ceiling in 2026, and his power from the catcher position deserves attention in all formats.
Harry Ford, Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals catching prospect Harry Ford is expected to compete alongside Keibert Ruiz for the starting catcher role in spring training. The Nationals acquired Ford from the Mariners earlier this offseason. Ford is currently viewed as the No. 42-ranked prospect in the sport on MLB.com and one of the top young backstops.
Last summer, Ruiz struggled at the plate, holding a modest .247/.277/.318 slash line across a short 68-game stint. Ford spent the majority of the campaign with Triple-A Tacoma, where he carried a .283/.408/.460 slash line with 18 doubles, 16 home runs, and seven stolen bases. He showed an elite eye at the plate, posting an 88:74 K:BB.
Even though Ford has only eight games of MLB experience, he is in serious consideration to see the majority of time behind the dish in D.C. He is a name to closely monitor in camp, as he would carry high-end sleeper appeal in two-catcher leagues.
Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith has produced positive fWAR as a hitter and fielder every season throughout his career, and he remains a top fantasy baseball threat in 2026. Smith is coming off the best year of his career, slashing .296/.404/.497 with 17 home runs and a career-high 153 wRC+. His strikeout rate jumped to 20.4%, but he also posted a career-best 14.7% walk rate.
Behind the dish, he contributed -8 FRV but 1.6 fWAR. Between hitting and fielding combined, he produced 4.1 fWAR. That ranked third-highest on the Dodgers, trailing only Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Now that the Dodgers are armed with Kyle Tucker, and Smith is a prime candidate for slight regression, FanGraphs is projecting the veteran backstop for 3.3 fWAR in 2026. That ranks sixth-highest on the team but is still an incredible mark, especially for a catcher. He is the #8 backstop in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.
More Fantasy Baseball Analysis
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
