Realmuto reigns atop 2023 fantasy catcher rankings

Catcher shouldn’t be the glitziest place in fantasy baseball, nevertheless it’s been a great whereas because it was this flush with expertise. Some acquainted names are on the high, however the place has been strengthened by a number of high-upside kids.

Of course, taking part in catcher comes with elevated harm danger, and the pickings are slim as soon as you start on the lookout for your backup. But it’s unlikely that you’ll come away out of your fantasy draft disenchanted together with your starter.

Other catchers possess extra energy or might offer you a better batting common, however Realmuto is the one one who presents stable manufacturing throughout the board. After a statistical dip in 2021, the Phillies’ backstop recorded 22 homers and a career-best 128 wRC+ final season. He pushed his barrel charge into double digits (11.3%) for the primary time throughout a full season and logged a career-high 47.2% hard-hit charge. This – together with batting in the course of Philadelphia’s deep lineup – helped him end among the many high 5 at his place in runs, homers, RBIs and common.

But Realmuto actually separates himself on the basepaths. After racking up a decent 13 stolen bases in ‘21, he smashed that total last year with 21 steals, the most by a primary catcher in 15 years. His 20-20 season earned him a bit of history as well. Realmuto’s dash pace has by no means fallen under the eightieth percentile, and neither his legs nor his bat reveals any indicators of slowing as he enters his age-32 season.

Smith received’t offer you these beneficial stolen bases, however he does every thing else nicely. His .831 OPS over the previous two seasons is the perfect on the place, and a barrel charge persistently above 10% alerts that Smith will proceed to supply loads of extra-base energy. He combines that muscle with unbelievable plate self-discipline, as evidenced by his profession 19.2% strikeout charge and 10.8% stroll charge.

Rutschman’s splendid introduction within the huge leagues – 48 extra-base hits, .807 OPS, 13.8% stroll charge in 470 plate appearances – will make him maybe probably the most sought-after catcher in drafts. He’s projected to be among the best gamers this season, no matter place.

Perez slugged 23 homers final yr regardless of lacking greater than 30 video games resulting from a thumb harm. The ailment did not have an effect on the veteran’s output as he slashed .297/.329/.505 with 12 homers over his last 57 video games. A step again from his record-breaking 2021 was by no means unsure, however Perez stays the place’s most constant energy menace as he enters his twelfth MLB season.

Contreras hasn’t performed greater than 128 video games over a full season since 2018, however he topped 20 homers in every of these years. He’s elevated his hard-hit charge over every of the previous 4 seasons, as much as 48.6% in 2022, and his most exit velocity final yr (116.2 mph) was additionally a career-high. Encouragingly, Contreras made these enhancements whereas chopping his strikeout charge by about one-fourth from ‘21. Even if he misses another chunk of time this summer, St. Louis’ lineup might give Contreras’ counting stats a lift.

If your fantasy crew took on some batting common danger early within the draft, Kirk is a good decide to assist steadiness out your roster. He was one in every of solely six certified batters final season whose stroll charge (11.6%) was larger than his Okay charge (10.7%). Commonly hitting in the course of the Blue Jays’ fierce lineup, Kirk’s fantasy worth might take off if he replicates his 11% barrel charge from two years in the past. It drooped to six.7% final yr.

Melendez comes with multi-position eligibility as he has the athleticism to play a nook outfield spot. That athleticism might additionally result in a small however important variety of steals. His bat packs a great quantity of pop (18 homers as a rookie), and his 92nd-percentile stroll charge will increase his worth in on-base share leagues.

The youthful Contreras led all catchers with a 138 wRC+ (min. 300 plate appearances). He whiffs a ton, however contemplating his batted-ball metrics, 25 dingers appear attainable. Following an offseason commerce, Contreras might be a fixture in the course of Milwaukee’s lineup.

Murphy was the headliner in that December blockbuster. Moving from Oakland to Atlanta ought to profit him drastically, each when it comes to his new supporting forged and dwelling ballpark. A Gold Glove defender, Murphy lowered his strikeout charge whereas posting a career-best 18 dwelling runs final yr.

There is just one stat that issues for Stephenson and his potential fantasy managers: video games performed. Injuries restricted him to solely 50 video games final yr. When wholesome, Stephenson has proven he might be an influence bat; he owns a .296/.369/.454 slash line and a 119 wRC+ by means of 605 profession plate appearances.

Raleigh wasn’t an on a regular basis participant for Seattle till June however nonetheless led all catchers with 27 dwelling runs final yr. Moreover, his 15.4% barrel charge ranked twelfth amongst all certified gamers. You should cope with a lot of strikeouts and a low batting common, barring a drastic change in his method. But Raleigh’s energy is legit.

Few gamers make extra contact than Ruiz. The drawback is he doesn’t do a lot injury with that contact. Through his first full season within the Majors, Ruiz’s produced a paltry 3.7% barrel charge and 32.3% hard-hit charge. One fascinating wrinkle in his profile: He stole six bases in seven makes an attempt final yr. Prior to that, Ruiz had tried just one steal since his time in Rookie ball in 2015.

Playing-time issues revolve across the last three gamers on this tier. Jansen produced 15 homers in simply 72 video games final yr, however Kirk and Brandon Belt are blocking his method to at-bats at catcher and designated hitter. He has additionally battled myriad accidents over the previous two seasons.

Injuries have additionally been a theme for d’Arnaud all through his profession. He is coming off a yr during which he clubbed a career-high 18 homers, however he’s the clear backup to Murphy in Atlanta.

Moreno impressed throughout his 25-game debut with the Blue Jays final yr, batting 319 with a .356 on-base share and an 11% strikeout charge. He has particular bat-to-ball abilities, though he might not present an excessive amount of energy. Acquired by the D-backs this winter, Moreno is an offensive improve over Carson Kelly, however the 23-year-old in all probability will not acquire a beginning job immediately.