'21 Fantasy Baseball PREP: Catchers, Get Em' While They're Hot
- Michael Obermuller
- Mar 19, 2021
- 9 min read
Updated: Mar 29, 2021
The catcher position is generally valued lower on draft day because of how sparingly some are used per week, as well as the general lack of punch that the position produces, but it's still important to fill the roster spot with someone who can contribute most nights. One thing you never want in baseball, or any fantasy sport, is a dead spot in your lineup. Similarly to the tight end position in football, catcher can provide a major advantage on opponents if utilized properly.
Earlier in my fantasy career, I disregarded both TE and C for the most part, but now I realize that top-heavy positions like this actually hold a more premium value. Think about it like economics, if there is only a certain amount of gold or (speaking more modernly) bitcoin in the world, it then has more value. Catchers are the rare commodity in this analogy, while a position like outfield or shortstop is the dollar, something that's always readily available. I'm not saying overdraft on a catcher, but in this preview we'll discuss how many decent options are actually out there this season, and when the right time is to draft them.
Format: In 2021 I will be using positional rankings by FantasyPros (as of Mar. 18) as I highlight;
targets- deemed an adequate value at projected rank
sleepers- deemed a plus value at projected rank
avoids- deemed a lower value than projected rank
busts- don't draft, period
Position eligibility is based on ESPN Fantasy. Projected points are based on the point settings of an ESPN fantasy league I have been a part of for 10+ years (below), and do not always correlate with the rankings:
Single- 2, Double- 5, Triple- 15, HR- 10(+RBI/Run),
RBI- 5, Runs- 3, Walk - 2, Stolen Base- 3
(negatives) K's- 2, Caught Stealing- 2, GIDP- 5
Links to Additional 2021 Fantasy Baseball Articles:
TIER 1
**Player Key- Position Rank/Overall Rank. Player Name, Team (projected points) [ADP]
1/51. J.T. Realmuto, Phillies (1011) [48.0]: (TARGET) Realmuto is the current gold standard of the catcher position. He's reliable with his bat, plays often, and is home to a hitter-friendly ballpark. If you want the Travis Kelce of catchers, safe bet is on J.T. (range- late 3rd or 4th round).
2/99. Salvador Perez, Royals (883) [87.0]: (AVOID) To his credit, Sal Perez had an amazing comeback season in 2020 after missing the entire year prior with injury. In 2018 he batted .235 however, with 108 strikeouts and only 17 walks. Approaching age 31, I see no reason to take a risk on Perez this high in the draft, especially when he's playing for Kansas City.
3/127. Will Smith, Dodgers (1017) [104.0]: (TARGET) In most drafts, I think you'll see Will Smith come off the board second behind Realmuto. The Dodgers catcher is entering his prime, turning 26 later this month. As we know, catchers age more harshly than other positions, so if you can get your hands on a young and talented one you should do it in a heartbeat. Smith finished fourth in catcher points last season, but is projected to surpass even Realmuto in 2021. He is in a phenomenal lineup, held a near-even walk to strikeout ratio in 2020, and batted .289. I personally might reach for Smith a bit higher than his Fantasy Pros ADP (104).
4/133. Willson Contreras, Cubs (929) [111.0]: (AVOID) If you look at Contreras' numbers over the last five years, he's been a bit overhyped based on his steady usage and potential. Last year he finished sixth in catcher points, but only averaged 5.5 points per game (PPG). Basically, Willson plays a lot, but his output is much more poor than he gets credit for. At a premium value, I'm not sure he provides the proper bang for your buck.
5/143. Yasmani Grandal, White Sox (817) [130.0]: (TARGET) I was selling on Grandal last season, but this year I'm back on his side for two reasons. One, this lineup is stacked, and despite his age I feel that gives him more upside than Contreras or Perez (at a lower draft capital). Two, James McCann is now on the NY Mets and will no longer eat into his playing time.
6/159. Travis d'Arnaud, Braves (851) [142.0]: (BUST) d'Arnaud finally stayed healthy for an entire year and it was in the midst of the COVID pandemic of all times (60 games). The former Blue Jays/Mets prospect has always had loads of potential, but for me the risk is too great at this heightened draft status. Best of luck to him but quite frankly, he has yet to make it through a full-length season once in his career, and he's probably due for his next injury.
7/188. Christian Vazquez, Red Sox (801) [159.0]: (TARGET) I did not believe in Christian Vazquez last year based on the hype of his 2019 campaign, but he kind of turned me into a believer. A late-bloomer at age 31 in August, the Boston catcher has now batted over .275 for two straight campaigns. I see him as a solid, but unspectacular option (similar to Contreras). The reason we target Vazquez and not the Cubbie is that you can get him a round or two later.
8/187. Gary Sanchez, Yankees (807) [144.0]: (RISKY) So this year my "risky" designation will be for players that I'm unsure about. Gary Sanchez fits that mold more perfectly than most. We all know about his raw power and extreme home run potential, but his tendency to accrue negatives and bat below .200 generally outweigh his strengths. Part of me feels Sanchez holds sleeper potential this low in the draft, but the rational side of me says to avoid this streaky disaster (waiting to happen) at all costs.
TIER 2
9/205. Sean Murphy, Athletics (670) [204.0]: (BUST) Now in tier two, I hint back to our economics discussion. The drop-off in talent after the top eight is pretty harsh, especially in the case of Sean Murphy, who has yet to show any ability at the plate during his first two seasons. He has a career on-base percentage of .355, which is solid, but better for a baseball team than it is for your fantasy roster. I'm more focused on his life-time .237 average and 22 RBI (63 games). 10/216. James McCann, Mets (619) [204.0]: (SLEEPER) An All-Star in 2019, James McCann was replaced by Grandal last season. He still averaged 6.5 fantasy PPG in 2020 (exact same as Grandal), and has the potential to jump into that top tier of efficiency at the catcher position with New York. The Mets have one of the deepest lineups in baseball, so the opportunity should be there, the main question is whether or not McCann readjusts to a starter's workload.
11/220. Austin Nola, Padres (776) [183.0]: (BUST) On certain sites Nola may have eligibility at 1B, 2B and IF, but on ESPN he's solely a catcher, which takes away from his upside. The former Mariner had a hot start in 2020 before joining the Padres, but was terrible after the trade. He also currently has a fractured finger in Spring Training, but should be fine for Opening Day. This is one of those players that may get some undeserved hype at a shallow position. Personally, I think the 31 year old is more likely to revert back to the fringe of the majors.
12/223. Mitch Garver, Twins (623) [209.0]: (TARGET) This comes with obvious risk, as Garver batted .167 in the shortened season, but he's a year removed from launching 31 homers and winning a Silver Slugger. At this value, I say Mitch is well worth taking a chance on.
13/246. Daulton Varsho, Diamondbacks (658) [207.0]: (CF/OF eligible) (RISKY/WATCH LIST) Someone will probably take the chance and draft Daulton Varsho, but right now it's unclear whether he'll have an everyday role with Arizona. The highly-regarded prospect is worth a flier if you miss out on your top catcher candidates, but he may end up as more of a super utility man for the Diamondbacks.
14/283. Buster Posey, Giants (587) [240.0]: (1B eligible)
15/285. Yadier Molina, Cardinals (548) [246.0]: (AVOID) At this point Yadi is only good for calling games and helping pitchers (not helpful in fantasy), his bat is nonexistent.
TIER 3
16/293. Carson Kelly, Diamondbacks (648) [294.0]: (AVOID) The D-Backs alternative to Varsho. Kelly should start, but for how long? I want no part of this Arizona platoon, and even if I did I wouldn't choose Kelly.
17/310. Jorge Alfaro, Marlins (452) [296.0]: (AVOID) More of a defensive catcher, offers very little at the plate (3.9 fantasy PPG in 2020).
18/316. Wilson Ramos, Tigers (639) [319.0]
19/339. Danny Jansen, Blue Jays (453) [324.0]: (AVOID) It may not be in April, but Alejandro Kirk will begin to push Jansen for playing time eventually. The latter is not much of a fantasy performer as it is, so best to avoid him altogether in 2021.
20/345. Yan Gomes, Nationals (508) [347.0] (AVOID) At first glance Yan Gomes may seem like a steal this low in the draft, but his age and recent track record project that he'll likely only start about 60 percent of the games (if he performs). There is already some talk that Alex Avila may catch for both Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin, two of the Nats three best starters. Stock down.
21/341. Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays (475) [302.0]: (WATCH LIST) Rumor is that Kirk may start the season in AAA, being that he has a two-way contract. Definitely a prospect to watch and scoop up should he make the majors, or get called up.
LONG SHOTS
22/363. Tom Murphy, Mariners (539) [342.0]: (AVOID) Turns out the longshots aren't much better than tier three so far. A career .250 hitter who didn't play in 2020, Tom Murphy's best year was in 2019. Keep in mind, 2019 was the year of the juiced baseball.
23/375. Pedro Severino, Orioles (588) [317.0]: (TARGET) I won't list him as a sleeper, but if you miss out on all the early catching options, Severino does at least provide some potential. He is only 27 and has steadily improved since moving to the hitter-friendly Camden Yards.
24/438. Omar Narvaez, Brewers (560) [382.0]: (BUST) I listed Narvaez as a bust last season and he made me look good by batting .176, with 2.2 fantasy PPG. I don't understand the hype behind this journeyman, who had one standout season in 2019 (like Murphy above).
26/326. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Rangers (703) [295.0]: *lost C eligibility on ESPN (3B/SS/IF)
28/528. Kurt Suzuki, Angels (376) [399.0]: (TARGET) I didn't list Max Stassi who is just above Suzuki in the ranks. Really, neither has much fantasy value because they'll probably platoon, but if I had to choose I'd go Suzuki despite his age. The 37 year old Hawaiian doesn't strike out, and generally averages a high fantasy total per game when he plays (6.0 in 2020). Stassi on the other hand is a career .216 hitter and isn't young either. Last resort type option.
29/414. Francisco Mejia, Rays (397) [416.0]: (BUST) The former top prospect failed in San Diego, and while there's the chance Tampa Bay could revive him as they tend to do with failed prospects, Mike Zunino may steal half his playing time if he actually wins the job.
30/503. Jacob Stallings, Pirates (497) [456.0]: (AVOID) You might think that because it's Pittsburgh, and a relatively unknown name to the average fan, Stallings is a prospect. He's not. He's 31 years old with very little fantasy value.
32/560. Roberto Perez, Indians (459) [585.0]
36/418. Elias Diaz, Rockies (426) [464.0] (AVOID) Has yet to prove he can hit major league pitching in his career.
37/548. Martin Maldonado, Astros (408) [452.0]
WATCH LIST
25/433. Ryan Jeffers, Twins (277) [394.0]: No value as of now, may start season in minors.
31/443. Joey Bart, Giants (243) [439.0]: Optioned to AAA.
34/577. Robert Stephenson, Reds (430) [441.0]: Tucker Barnhart's defensive prowess will likely keep Stephenson from being a fantasy factor for now.
38/402. Sam Huff, Rangers (218) [388.0]: (SLEEPER POTENTIAL) Dealing with a hamstring injury that could have him on the injured list to start the season. If Huff is called up, he may be someone to keep an eye on, smashing three HR's in 31 at bats at the end of 2020.
41/595. Luis Torrens, Mariners (428) [580.0]: Could push Tom Murphy for the starting job in Seattle, 24 years old.
49/699. Kyle Higashioka, Yankees (342) [478.0]: (SLEEPER POTENTIAL) Nice handcuff for Gary Sanchez both in real life and fantasy baseball. If he takes the starting job via injury or benching at any point this season, you might want to pick him up.
As I eluded to in the intro, the catcher position is as shallow as ever this season, maybe even more so than usual. I'd advise you get a good one while you can. If not, you'll likely be stuck shuffling bodies in and out the entire season, unless you hit on a prospect like Alejandro Kirk or Sam Huff. There are really only seven or eight catchers that I'd actually feel confident about selecting this year, and that's being generous. Other positions are deep with sleepers that you can target lower in the draft, so don't be afraid to actually spend a little on a catcher in 2021. I've been doing this a long time, and the top teams generally don't have a total dud anywhere in their everyday lineup.
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