Fantasy Preview by Position: Catcher

The catcher is a weird position in fantasy baseball, because there's really such a drop-off after the top 1-2 guys, usually. Typically I go with a guy that's going to bolster my batting average and OBP if possible, since you can get high power numbers will poor on base skills at other positions easily.

1) Victor Martinez (CLE) - An offensive machine; numbers are so good that he's passable as a 1B (which he's also eligible for). Slugged 25 HR with 114 RBIs, tops for catchers last year.

2) Russell Martin (LAD) - Nice all around player in a stronger Dodgers lineup; will probably bat second so he should score a bunch of runs. Likes to run and could steal 20+ bases again.

3) Jorge Posada (NYY) - Won't repeat his off-the-charts hitting in '08 (.338 BA, .426 OBP in '07) but power numbers will still be there in that Yankee lineup.

4) Brian McCann (ATL) - Nice power numbers and will continue to improve at the plate.

5) Bengie Molina (SFG) - Poor OBP, but drove in over 80 runs in that wasteland which is the Giants' lineup last year.

6) Joe Mauer (MIN) - Personally I think this guy is way overrated. Strong OBP for a catcher but little else. He'll never hit .340 again as he did in '06, and his legs are starting to give him trouble - not a good sign for a 24 year old.

7) Kenji Johjima (SEA) - Solid average guy (.287 last year) with some pop. You could do much worse.

8) Jarrod Saltalamacchia (TEX) - Tons of upside and a nice hitters' park, but a lousy lineup and the fact he'll either split time behind the dish with Gerald Laird or play a lot of first base may ruin his concentration at the plate.

9) AJ Pierzynski (CHW) - Boy, the White Sox lineup is going to be bad, but Pierzynski still gives you something - and is generally available pretty late in the draft (if taken at all).

10) Ramon Hernandez (BAL) - I don't expect a ton out of him with no support in the Baltimore lineup, plus his recent injury history; but if healthy has some pop.


Worth a Look: JR Towles (HOU), Geovany Soto (CHC)