Matthew Pouliot

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June Catcher Rankings

Thursday, June 14, 2012


Here are the June catcher rankings. Players are ranked based on how I believe they will perform in 5x5 leagues over the remainder of the season. Along with the position rankings, you'll soon find a fully updated top 250 list.

Click to see other June rankings:
Top 250 | SP | RP | OF | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | C | DH


Catcher Rankings

Dropping off: Wilson Ramos (15th), Tyler Flowers (27th)

  • Instead of the expected candidates, it's old vets Carlos Ruiz, Yadier Molina and A.J. Pierzynski leading the way among fantasy catchers so far. Of course, they're all hitting over their heads, but Ruiz especially does move up here. No longer trapped in the seventh and eighth spots in the lineup by his more highly regarded teammates, he's putting up quality run and RBI numbers for the first time. That's what's really held him back: he was an above average offensive catcher the previous three years, too, but he averaged just 41 runs and 45 RBI per season from 2009-11. This year, he's on pace for 65-70 runs and 85-90 RBI. Again, he won't keep that up, but he should do quite a bit better than usual now that he's spending some time batting fifth and sixth.

 

  • Particularly after the Mariners' pick of the University of Florida's Mike Zunino third overall, it seems doubtful that Jesus Montero's future is behind the plate. Still, he will qualify at catcher for the rest of this year and next, and he comes in at No. 9 in the catcher rankings for the rest of this season. Zunino, an above average defensive catcher with some offensive potential, should be a decent regular come 2014.

 

  • As for A.J. Ellis, I'm just not a believer in the early power numbers. He's been one of the NL's most pleasant surprises, and it's not so stunning that he's been a great OBP guy for the Dodgers. Still, my guess is that he won't double his current total of six homers over the final 100 games.

 

  • Expected to back up Ramon Hernandez for the Rockies, 23-year-old rookie Wilin Rosario already has 116 at-bats, nine homers and 25 RBI on the season. The power is certainly legit, though I'm not optimistic he'll make enough contact to keep hitting homers at this rate. Rosario's inability to lay off pitches figures to catch up with him as time goes on. The power would make up for a subpar batting average and make him a solid fantasy catcher if he continued to play regularly. The Rockies may go back to Hernandez for a little while after he returns from his hand injury, but given their position in the standings, they might as well make Rosario their starter in the second half.

 

  • Salvador Perez is expected to make his season debut this week after missing 2 1/2 months following knee surgery. I had him ranked 18th among catchers before he went down this spring.



Rank Catcher Team April
1 Buster Posey Giants 2
2 Carlos Santana Indians 1
3 Joe Mauer Twins 4
4 Matt Wieters Orioles 3
5 Mike Napoli Rangers 6
6 Brian McCann Braves 5
7 Yadier Molina Cardinals 9
8 Miguel Montero Diamondbacks 8
9 Jesus Montero Mariners 3 DH
10 Carlos Ruiz Phillies 26
11 Alex Avila Tigers 7
12 Ryan Doumit Twins 14
13 A.J. Pierzynski White Sox 18
14 Russell Martin Yankees 12
15 Jarrod Saltalamacchia Red Sox 16
16 Jonathan Lucroy Brewers 24
17 J.P. Arencibia Blue Jays 13
18 A.J. Ellis Dodgers 34
19 Wilin Rosario Rockies 35
20 Salvador Perez Royals 28
21 Geovany Soto Cubs 10
22 Josh Thole Mets 20
23 Chris Iannetta Angels 17
24 Jesus Flores Nationals 37
25 Kurt Suzuki Athletics 11
26 John Buck Marlins 21
27 Ramon Hernandez Rockies 19
28 Nick Hundley Padres 23
29 Devin Mesoraco Reds 25
30 Jason Castro Astros 30
31 Rod Barajas Pirates 29
32 Miguel Olivo Mariners 22
33 Ryan Hanigan Reds 31
34 George Kottaras Brewers 46
35 Chris Stewart Giants 51


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Matthew Pouliot is the Executive Editor of RotoWorld.com and has been doing the site's baseball projections for the last 10 years. Follow him on Twitter at matthewpouliot.
Email :Matthew Pouliot

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