I am beginning a new series where I list the top 10 players at each position. Today, I will start with the catchers and from there I will go through each position. Receiving strong catching has been somewhat of a dime-a-dozen recently. There are few that standout that make the list.
1. Buster Posey – San Francisco Giants
Posey is the best all-around catcher in the league, period. He has solidified himself as the best hitting catcher in the league over the past couple of seasons and his pitch framing is one of the tops in the league. He has led the Giants to three World Series Championships since 2010 and continues to anchor a strong pitching staff.
2. Jonathan Lucroy – Texas Rangers
Lucroy has been a mainstay as one of the game’s best catchers over the past five years. Though 2015 was hampered with injuries for the veteran catcher, he rebounded nicely in 2016, despite a trade to Texas midseason. He hit .292 with a career-high 24 home runs, which was second among catchers. His defense continues to be among the best in the league with his elite pitching framing and strong throwing arm.
3. Yadier Molina – St. Louis Cardinals
When you think top catchers over the last 10 seasons, Yadi’s name comes to mind. His defense has been the best in the league for years and while 2015 saw a big drop-off offensively, he came back and hit over .300 with 38 doubles and eight home runs in 2016. Molina will never be Posey or Lucroy at the plate but his defense will keep him close to the top of the list for 2017.
4. Yasmani Grandal – Los Angeles Dodgers
Grandal will finally get the opportunity to show himself this season without A.J. Ellis blocking some of his playing time. Grandal is grossly under-appreciated at the plate as he led all catchers with 27 home runs in 2016. Though he does not hit for average (.228 last season) his pitching framing, patience at the plate and power makes up for it.
5. Russell Martin – Toronto Blue Jays
Martin continues to win no matter where he goes. His team’s seem to find their way to the postseason every year and it has a lot to do with Martin’s leadership behind the plate. He is an outstanding catcher and despite a terrible start to 2016, he still hammered 20 home runs and finished with a .247 average.
6. Gary Sanchez – New York Yankees
Despite playing in only 55 games in his career, Sanchez burst onto the scene hitting 20 home runs in those 55 games. He displayed patience at the plate and as a catcher as well as displaying major power. The 24-year-old will begin his first full season and it cannot be overlooked as the Yankees look for him to be the next great Yankee.
7. Brian McCann – Houston Astros
McCann is another catcher who is somewhat under-appreciated. He is the only active player to hit at least 20 home runs since 2008 and he did playing the most demanding position on the field. Despite turning 33 this year, McCann is a good bet to provide left-handed power and leadership to a young pitching staff in Houston.
8. Salvador Perez – Kansas City Royals
Perez might be a little more hyped up than he should be. His offensive numbers are drastically overrated and though his defense is decent, it is not good enough to get him in the top five. He is a below-average hitter and the defensive stats say he is barely average behind the plate.
9. Wilson Contreras – Chicago Cubs
This is a big season for Contreras as he seems primed to be the Cubs everyday starting catcher. He came on late last season and performed well, including in the playoffs. He is the most athletic catchers in the league as he saw time in the outfield last season and is an above-average runner for a backstop. He hit .282 last season and is a good bet to be even better for the defending champions in 2017.
10. J.T. Realmuto – Miami Marlins
Talk about underrated. Realmuto is quietly becoming one of the best catchers in baseball. The 25-year-old hit .303 with 11 home runs in 137 games last year. He also threw out 35% of base runners in 2016. Though Realmuto might see more time at first base than he did in 2016, he will still top out as a top 10 catcher in 2017.
Honorable mentions – Francisco Cervelli, Matt Wieters