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Rest of Season Catcher Rankings - May Update

Updated catcher fantasy baseball rankings for 5x5 roto mixed leagues. Our staff's C rankings feature the #1 most accurate industry expert, Nick Mariano.

We wrap up our midseason rankings update for mixed leagues with the catcher position. RotoBaller writers Nick Mariano, Pierre Camus, Bill Dubiel and Scott Engel recently updated their rest-of-season ranks and we're here to break it all down.

Unfortunately, catcher is still an utter cesspool when it comes to fantasy production, so don't convince yourself otherwise. If you're in any two-catcher league, please petition the commish for a change.

Check out our fantasy baseball rankings dashboard for the latest and greatest ranks at any time. When you're done reading about catchers, you can catch up on our analysis on some of the other positions here: first base, second base, third baseshortstop, outfield, starting pitcher, and relief pitcher.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Catcher Tiered Ranks - 5x5 Mixed Leagues (May)

In case you missed it, our very own "Big Pick Nick" Mariano was recently named the #1 overall most accurate industry expert ranker for the 2018 season. You can see his secret sauce below! Additionally, industry legend Scott Engel recently joined the RotoBaller team and provides his insights as well. Scott is an FSWA Hall Of Famer and award winner.

Ranking Tier Player Position Nick Pierre Bill Scott Composite
1 1 Gary Sanchez C 76 67 73 66 70.50
2 1 J.T. Realmuto C/1B 119 83 94 58 88.50
3 2 Willson Contreras C 95 162 228 158 160.75
4 2 Yasmani Grandal C 188 153 226 184 187.75
5 2 Wilson Ramos C 287 191 137 162 194.25
6 2 Yadier Molina C 224 220 188 190 205.50
7 2 Buster Posey C/1B 342 319 264 273 299.50
8 3 Jorge Alfaro C 346 244 380 292 315.50
9 3 Willians Astudillo C 411 347 261 #N/A 339.67
10 3 Francisco Cervelli C 335 398 325 #N/A 352.67
11 3 Mike Zunino C 372 357 343 #N/A 357.33
12 3 Tucker Barnhart C/1B 433 373 344 300 362.50
13 3 Omar Narvaez C 337 348 493 293 367.75
14 3 Christian Vazquez C 371 #N/A #N/A #N/A 371.00
15 3 Welington Castillo C #N/A 367 379 #N/A 373.00
16 3 Robinson Chirinos C 465 343 323 #N/A 377.00
17 3 Yan Gomes C #N/A 379 384 #N/A 381.50
18 4 James McCann C 383 #N/A #N/A #N/A 383.00
19 4 Mitch Garver C 413 380 #N/A #N/A 396.50
20 4 Josh Phegley C 396 416 #N/A #N/A 406.00
21 4 Kurt Suzuki C #N/A 417 410 #N/A 413.50
22 4 Danny Jansen C 472 465 330 #N/A 422.33
23 4 Austin Hedges C 446 381 464 #N/A 430.33
24 4 Tyler Flowers C #N/A 435 #N/A #N/A 435.00
25 4 Austin Barnes C 347 443 522 #N/A 437.33
26 4 Carson Kelly C #N/A 452 #N/A #N/A 452.00
27 5 John Hicks C/1B #N/A 429 488 #N/A 458.50
28 5 Francisco Mejia C 496 464 430 #N/A 463.33
29 5 Isiah Kiner-Falefa C/2B/3B 490 445 501 #N/A 478.67
30 5 Grayson Greiner C 491 476 #N/A #N/A 483.50
31 5 Jonathan Lucroy C #N/A 446 546 #N/A 496.00

 

Rankings Analysis - Top Tiers

Tier One

The resurgence of Gary Sanchez has been spectacular and honestly wasn't that hard to see coming. Sanchez was limited to just 374 plate appearances in 2018, and I think it's fair to assume that the injuries that caused him to miss time can also be blamed for his ghastly numbers. After hitting just 18 homers in 89 games last season, Sanchez is already up to 12 in 26 games in 2019. He's also improved his batting average almost 80 points, partially as a result of a more aggressive approach at the plate (his walk rate is down to just 8.4% this year). I believe that the Gary Sanchez from this year and 2017 is the "real" Gary Sanchez, and he should be treated as such moving forward.

Tier Two

Just as the veteran backstop was written off by fantasy experts everywhere, Yadier Molina has burst back onto the scene and is having maybe the best fantasy season of any catcher so far. Yadi is already almost halfway to last year's RBI total, he's hitting a healthy .276 and he's shaved nearly five percentage points off his strikeout rate to get to his current (and best mark since 2011) 8.5%. Another 20-HR season is well within his grasp, and I don't see any reason to doubt Molina's performance. At 36, he's likely not going to finish as the top fantasy catcher this season. But in the top five? I don't see why not.

Tier Three

I fully admit that prior to this year, Omar Narvaez barely registered with me as an actual fantasy option. He was that empty jersey that sometimes played catcher for the White Sox and wasn't the worst hitter ever--nothing exceptional about him. A change of scenery has proven otherwise. Narvaez has always made above-average contact for a catcher, but that word "empty" rings true again. In 2018 with the White Sox, he hit .275 over 322 plate appearances, but registered just 30 runs scored, 30 RBI, and nine homers. He's almost matched all of those totals in just 137 plate appearances this year: .308 BA, 24 runs scored, 18 RBI and seven homers here in mid-May. Narvaez is getting more loft on the ball this year, and he's barreling the ball up more than he ever has before--his 33.7% hard-hit rate is easily the best of his career. Narvaez has shown the potential to finish in the top seven at the position this year, and he's an extremely valid starting option right now in any format.

La Tortuga is here to save the game of baseball. Willians Astudillo is the heir-apparent to Bartolo's heavy-set throne, and he has the resume to back up the demigod status he's earned among the intelligent and initiated. The man just does not strike out--but he doesn't walk either. So far in 167 major league plate appearances, Astudillo has a total of three walks and five strikeouts. No typos there. He's got as much power as you'd expect for a guy swinging with a lot of weight behind him, but it's the batting average that's the main factor here. Catcher is a black hole where your batting average goes to die, so a guy like Astudillo who puts the ball in play consistently can be a big boost there. He's never hit below .267 at any stop in professional ball, and I think we can expect that to continue as long as he keeps making contact as often as he does. Right now he's a C2 in most formats, but the ceiling is there for C1 status if he continues to see more consistent playing time (likely away from the catcher position).

 

Rankings Analysis - Lower Tiers

Tiers Four and Five

Mitch Garver is MAH DUDE right now. A shame about his recent injury, but it's looking like it will cost him no more than two or three weeks at most. Prior to that unfortunate Shohei Ohtani slide, Garver was absolutely mashing. In just 91 plate appearances he had already popped nine homers, and was holding strong with a .329 batting average as well. Perhaps more impressively than those numbers is the improvement he's shown with one of his already-strong traits--his plate discipline. Garver was posting a 12.1% walk rate when he went on the IL, which is phenomenal for a catcher in any format. The 28-year-old has earned regular playing time, and he's a terrific option in any format right now, but especially in OBP leagues.

Danny Jansen, what's going on, bro? After tearing up the minor leagues over the last two years, everyone (myself very much included) had Jansen pegged as one of the best non-elite catchers in fantasy for 2019. Above-average plate discipline, little bit of pop, little bit of speed--it all seemed like it was going to line up for the player I had taken to calling "BabyMuto" in the preseason (shout out to the real five-tool catcher, J.T. Realmuto).  But Jansen simply hasn't adjusted to big league pitching yet. He's hitting a miserable .163, he's not yet put a ball over the fence or stolen a bag, and he's striking out at a higher rate than he has at any stop in the minors (26.9%). As of right now he's unrosterable, and there are no signs of a turnaround any time soon. I still believe that we'll be talking about Jansen in a positive light in the near future, but this might not be the year it happens.

More Fantasy Baseball Rankings Analysis




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Max Muncy

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Christian Moore

Exits Early with Thumb Irritation
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Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Josh Naylor

Returning to Diamondbacks Lineup
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
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Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Oronde Gadsden

an Active Pass-Catcher This Offseason
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Speed Could be Put to Use
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Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
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Off to a Good Start
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UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal With Mammoth
Montaric Brown

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Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
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Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
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Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
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Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
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NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
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James van Riemsdyk Joins Red Wings on One-Year Contract
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Rookie Season Likely to be Spent on Special Teams
LeQuint Allen Jr.

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Turning Heads Going into Rookie Season
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a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
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Establishing Himself as Reliable Option
Grayson Murphy

Could Provide Rotational Pass-Rush Depth
Joe Andreessen

in a Good Position to Compete for Backup Job
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
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Needs to Improve Pass Protection
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Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
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a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
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Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
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Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
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a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
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Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
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Needs a Challenge in Illinois
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Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
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Dan Vladar Links Up With Flyers on Two-Year Deal
EDM

Andrew Mangiapane Signs Two-Year Pact With Oilers
SEA

Ryan Lindgren Joins Kraken on Four-Year Contract
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Christian Dvorak Heads to Philadelphia
Logan Stankoven

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Jonathan Drouin Joins Islanders on Two-Year Contract
NJ

Devils Hand Connor Brown a Four-Year Contract
SJ

John Klingberg Lands in San Jose
William Eklund

Signs Three-Year Extension with Sharks
Will Cuylle

Agrees to Two-Year Contract with Rangers
Zac Gallen

Fans 10 in Tuesday's Win
Hunter Goodman

Hits Two More Homers Tuesday
Josh Hader

Stays Perfect In Save Conversion On Tuesday
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Shane Baz

Fans 11 Against Athletics
Grant Holmes

Strikes Out 10 in Scoreless Outing
Jeff Green

Signs One-Year Deal to Remain in Houston
T.J. Watt

Trying to Become Highest-Paid Non-QB?
Willson Contreras

Doubtful for Wednesday
George Springer

Clubs Two Homers in Seven-RBI Day
Joshua Palmer

Could be a Sleeper
Los Angeles Lakers

Jake LaRavia Lands with Lakers
Laviska Shenault Jr.

on the Bubble
Orlando Magic

Tyus Jones Signs One-Year Deal With Magic
Raheem Blackshear

to Work Mostly As Special-Teamer
Golden State Warriors

Kevon Looney Heads to New Orleans
Rico Dowdle

Trevor Etienne to Split Carries?
Chuba Hubbard

Should See Majority of Touches in 2025
Milwaukee Bucks

Jericho Sims Staying in Milwaukee
Denver Nuggets

Tim Hardaway Jr. Joins Nuggets
Willson Contreras

Avoids Structural Damage on Hand After HBP
Detroit Pistons

Duncan Robinson Lands With Detroit
Charlotte Hornets

Tre Mann Remaining in Charlotte
Josh Naylor

Scratched From Tuesday's Lineup Against Giants
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
San Francisco Giants

Giants Exercise Bob Melvin's 2026 Option
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Josh Naylor

Back in Action on Tuesday
Yordan Alvarez

Suffers Setback
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Nolan Arenado

Dealing with Finger Sprain
Jacob Wilson

Scratched With Hamstring Soreness
Milwaukee Bucks

Gary Harris Inks Deal With Bucks
Charlotte Hornets

Mason Plumlee Heading Back to Charlotte
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Jakob Poeltl

Agrees to a Contract Extension With Raptors
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Vasilije Micić

Vasilije Micic Dealt to Bucks on Tuesday
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Pat Connaughton

Traded to Hornets
Atlanta Hawks

Luke Kennard Lands in Atlanta
Breece Hall

Aiming to Prove He is "Still One of the Best in the League"
T.J. Watt

Steelers Not Planning to Trade T.J. Watt
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
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Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
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Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
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Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
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Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
RANKINGS
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SS
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SP
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