KAC 2005 FANTASY BASEBALL - CATCHER RANKINGS
OFFENSIVE TALENT POOL GETS DEEPER
The men behind the mask. Also known as those who wear the tools of ignorance. The value of catchers in the real life of a baseball front offices as opposed to those participating in fantasy leagues are vastly different. In real life, the catcher can be nearly as valuable as any member of the pitching staff. As valuable as Ivan Rodriguez has been over the last decade due to his fine offensive skills, his real life value is even greater due to all the baserunners he has wiped out over the years. Meanwhile the San Francisco Giants just got done shelling out $10.5 million over three years to bring veteran Mike Matheny aboard. From an organizational standpoint, Matheny�s defensive skills and his ability to call a game will make him a valuable asset to the team. However his sub .239 lifetime average along with his 51 home runs and 366 RBI over 11 MLB seasons won�t exactly make him one of the first names called out on draft day.
However the offensive talent pool at the position has never been deeper. Whether it be Javy Lopez�s 40+ home run hitting power from a couple of years back to last year�s breakout seasons from Victor Martinez and Johnny Estrada, there are a number of options. There are also a number of second-tier performers along with some potential late round steals. The days of merely glossing over the catching position are clearly past.
- Victor Martinez (CLE) � Ivan Rodriguez may be the safest pick at #1, but Vic Martinez has the best upside this year. Vic was a tremendous salary cap play in challenge games last year, especially if you had him during his 30 RBI month of May. 15 of Martinez�s 23 home runs came on the road, considering Jacobs Field is one of the better hitting parks around, 30 bombs would not be a surprise while also approaching the 108 RBI of last year.
- Ivan Rodriguez (DET) � Let�s not question where this cat chooses to sign again. He only led the Marlins to a World Championship in 2003, then we all laughed at him again after he chose to sign with the Tigers fresh off their 119 loss season. A year later Detroit is vastly improved and building a nice offensive squad around him. The power has dropped some since heading out of Texas, but Pudge has either hit over or flirted with .300 for the last decade plus. Pudge especially carried fantasy teams during the month of June going a cool 43-86. Now well over 2000 hits for his career, it is not too early to call Pudge a future Hall of Famer.
- Javier Lopez (BAL) � Maybe the greatest two-sport star in the history of the world, since Peyton Manning did reportedly go to a restaurant in Mexico after his playoff loss to the Patriots and told the wait staff that this week he was to be known as Javier Lopez. Seriously though, Lopez�s 2004 season has to be considered a disappointment. Despite moving to a much better hitters park and picking up additional AB�s instead of sitting every time Greg Maddux took the bump, Javy�s stats actually went down sharply, from a Triple Crown like .328/43/109 to a much more mortal .316/23/86 last year. Still Manning (I mean Lopez) still shouldn�t do bad smack in the middle of one of baseball�s better offensive lineups.
- Jason Varitek (BOS) � Over a generation ago, Carlton Fisk and Thurman Munson staged a pitched perennial battle over who was the best catcher in the American League, let alone the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry. Today, you can flip a coin between Varitek and Jorge Posada. However the switch-hitting Varitek seems to be slowly getting the upper hand and even threw in ten stolen bases to go along with his .296/18/73 season.
- Jorge Posada (NYY) � The batting average always seems to be a tad low (in the .270 range), but you can always count on at least 20+ home runs and 80+ RBI. Posada is a gamer who wouldn�t even let a busted nose sideline him last season. Posada was in some off-season trade rumors but I don�t see the organization having anyone capable of replacing him, so don�t look for that to happen.
- Mike Piazza (NYM) � Actually found himself more in the line of fire playing first base rather than behind the plate. Unlike Posada cross-town, Piazza does stand a chance of being dealt at some point in 2005, perhaps back to the Dodgers. Power numbers and BA have been on the decline as the injuries mouned.
- Johnny Estrada (ATL) � You would always like to see more power (9 HR), but Estrada was a hitting machine in the first-half of 2004, hitting .332 and earning an All-Star berth. Johnny fell off to .290 in the second half, but that still wasn�t bad at all.
- Ramon Hernandez (SD) � Quietly producing nice power in the 20 HR range over the past two seasons, although the average hovers around .270. Did hit .307 on the road however, but 10 of Ramon�s 18 home runs actually came in the much maligned dimensions of Petco Park.
- Jason Kendall (OAK) � The latest Sabrametrics from Billy Beane has brought the long time Pirate to the Bay Area. Never a big home run guy but usually good for a .300+ batting average along with 10-15 steals a huge commodity for a catcher. Expect at least the same type of stats that he achieved as a Pirate.
- Michael Barrett (CHC) � I�ve been on this cat ever since Jeff Torborg�s son, who was the Expos strength coach and also a professional wrestler, got him into the gym a few years back. Not known as an average hitter, the .287 average was a nice bonus to go along with the 16 HR/65 RBI. I think Barrett has the best upside of the mid-range backstops.
- Mike Lieberthal (PHI) � Significant dropoffs in both BA (from .313 to .271) and RBI (81 to 61) in 2004. Still I like his home park and the consistent 15-20 HR potential, a pretty safe pick I say.
- Joe Mauer (MN) � Salary cap special for the position, Mauer goes off at a tidy 440 in CDM. Multiply his 6 HR/17 RBI along with his .305 average in 105 AB�s by five and the upside out of this 22 year-old former #1 overall draft pick is obvious. However Mauer screwed up his knee in the second game of last season, basically ruining most of what could had been a Rookie of the Year campaign. The biggest long-term effect of the trick knee is that there is already talk of turning Mauer into a first baseman/DH. The scouting report says Mauer has a nice strike zone and a nice eye at the plate, expect a batting crown before a home run crown.
- A.J. Pierzynski (CWS) � After taking a foul ball during the exhibition season where etho-chloride doesn�t seem to do much good, Giants trainer Stan Conte asked AJP �if it hurts�, at which point Pierzynski delivered his own shot to Conte�s package then asked him what that felt like. Soon after that everyone else in the Giants organization hated AJP as well. While he might not have the most mellow personality in the world, Pierzynski will feel much more comfortable (in more ways than one) back in the AL Central � look for a .300 average, a boatload of RBI, and plenty of good interviews on Chicago sports talk radio.
- Paul Lo Duca (FL) � It looks like you will never see the .320/25/90 season of 2001 again, but Lo Duke did drive in 80 to go along with 13 ding-dongs last year. However Lo Duke tailed considerably after being traded to the fish, only hitting .239 in his new home park.
- Miguel Olivo (SEA) � Came over to Seattle as part of the Freddy Garcia trade, and figures prominently in the Mariners future plans. Don�t be surprised if he�s at least second to Jason Kendall at the position in stolen bases, and also has 20 HR in 637 career AB�s. However Olivo is going to have to improve on that .234 career average.
- Brandon Inge (DET) � Value is enhanced by also being eligible at third base and in the outfield. Going .287/13/64 in 408 AB�s didn�t hurt neither. But before getting too excited be advised that Inge was a fringe player hitting just above the Mendoza line in both 2002 and 2003.
- Matthew LeCroy (MN) � Utility player found AB�s at catcher, first, and DH last year. Went .287/17/64 in just 345 AB�s in 2003 � the issue is finding enough playing time � I think he should get at least 400 AB�s.
- Jason LaRue (CIN) � Gets his 15 bombs every year, but only drives in about 50, doesn�t hit for average, and only sees action in � of the Reds games (113, 118, and 114 games the last three years. You pretty much know what you�re going to get here.
- John Buck (KC) � No, he�s not part of the famous broadcasting family on the other side of the state. Finally getting his shot in the bigs as part of the Carlos Beltran trade, buck had nice power numbers (12 HR/30 RBI) in just 71 games. Baseball America has Buck down for 20-25 HR potential. Hitting for average was initially an issue, but once he got comfortable Buck hit .270 the final two months of the season.
- Rod Barajas (TX) � Rototimes only ranks him 36th at the position, I don�t see why. Taking over for an injured Gerald Laird early in the season, Barajas went on to hit 15 HR with 58 RBI in just 358 AB�s. Batting average is an issue and he could lose playing time at any point, but Texas players seem to always do well offensively no matter what the position.
- J.D. Closser (COL) � Anyone projected to start for the Rockies deserves consideration for the obvious reasons. But before getting too excited be advised that Closser went a sea-level like .299/7/54 in 300 AB�s at Colorado Springs, where the altitude is even higher. BA also only ranked Closser as only the organizations 19th best prospect last year, another red flag.
- Benji Molina (ANG) � When looking at an Anaheim (I meant Los Angeles) box score, just because you see Molina�s name means necessarily at that�s your man � Molina�s brother is the back up. Benji plays about 120 games top and hits in the 15 HR area. Behind the dish Benji is a gold-glover.
- Toby Hall (TB) � I�ve just about worn out waiting for this cat to bust out, but that usually happens after others have given up hope. Toby is still capable of getting into the mid-teens in homers and getting above that .250 level. Playing 38 games v. Red Sox and Yankee pitching is never helpful to a D-Ray.
- Brian Schneider (WSH) � A historic moment here at KACSPORTS as a Washington National is profiled for the very first time. If you�re looking for bandbox projections from RFK Stadium forget it, it will be a symmetrical 335-385-410-385-330 � about the same as Olympic Stadium was. The good news will be no games in Peurto Rico where the dimensions only seemed to be 360-410-450-410-360. Schneider is one of the games better defenise catchers (.257/12/49) and the offensive numbers are getting better as well.
- Charles Johnson (COL) � As of this writing, the Rockies are desperately trying to get CJ out of town. His non-altitude stats for 2004 were not bad, hitting for six HR�s and 21 RBI in 153 AB�s. BA has always been the issue for Johnson, but bump him up into the top-20 if he can find everyday work somewhere.
- Jason Phillips (NYM) � Production went down the tubes while getting extensive time behind the plate in �04, with the BA plummeting from .298 to .218. Phillips is penciled in as the Mets starting first baseman this year and has eligibility at that position as well.
- Damian Miller (MIL) � Many free agents get perks such as private skyboxes for family and friends and sometimes even a private plane for their personal use. Miller�s new contract with the Brewers includes oil changes for his snowmobile � I KID YOU NOT!!! Known more for his defensive skills, Damian also has favorable power and moves into what most of the time is a favorable hitters park.
- Benito Santiago (PIT) � Yes, he�s still out there. 40 years old now, the delusional Royals took a stab at him last year and rewarded with an injury-plagued 49 game season. Benny�s name also has been dragged through the mud in the BALCO case, so bet against the .278/16/74 he got with the Giants as recently as 2002.
- Yadier Molina (STL) � Yes, there is a third one � perhaps all three Molina�s can meet up at a Cardinal/Angel World Series, not all that far fetched a possibility. The bad news is that Molina brings about as much offensively as Mike Matheny, which isn�t much. However Yadier�s defensive skills alone should keep him in the Cards lineup.
- Brad Ausmus (HOU) � Almost as much of a Houston mainstay as Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell, Ausmus has been good for over 400 AB�s in each of the last eight seasons, six of them with the Astros. Unfortunately being an everyday receiver is about the best you can say about him.
