2009 Prelim Catcher Rankings

I'm trying something new this week. With some owners now looking to build for next year, I'm publishing a very, very preliminary set of 2009 rankings for keeper leaguers. I'll be doing the usual position rankings and an overall top 100. These rankings are for 2009 only, so I'm not giving top prospects credit for what they might do in 2010 and beyond.

One note: I've fixed some, but there's still probably a few players here listed with their old teams. I was using my preseason spreadsheet for the new rankings.

In more interesting news, I'll be in Stamford for the next two weeks providing commentary for the live Olympic baseball broadcasts on NBCOlympics.com. So, if you want a glimpse of some top prospects like Matt LaPorta and Trevor Cahill or potential imports such as Kenshin Kawakami and Yu Darvish, be sure to check it out. I will still be posting columns as usual.


Click to see other 2009 Rankings:
Relief Pitcher Rankings
Starting Pitcher Rankings
Outfielder Rankings
Catcher Rankings
First Basemen Rankings
Second Basemen Rankings
Shortstop Rankings
Third basemen Rankings
Top 100 Overall Rankings

Rank - Catcher - Team
1 - Russell Martin - Dodgers
2 - Joe Mauer - Twins
3 - Brian McCann - Braves
4 - Victor Martinez - Indians
5 - Jorge Posada - Yankees
6 - Ryan Doumit - Pirates
7 - Geovany Soto - Cubs
8 - Chris Iannetta - Rockies
9 - Jesus Flores - Nationals
10 - A.J. Pierzynski - White Sox
11 - Jarrod Saltalamacchia - Rangers
12 - Dioner Navarro - Rays
13 - Jeff Clement - Mariners
14 - Ivan Rodriguez - Yankees
15 - Bengie Molina - Giants
16 - Yadier Molina - Cardinals
17 - Brandon Inge - Tigers
18 - Jason Varitek - Red Sox
19 - Ramon Hernandez - Orioles
20 - Chris Snyder - Diamondbacks
21 - Kurt Suzuki - Athletics
22 - Gerald Laird - Rangers
23 - Mike Napoli - Angels
24 - Kelly Shoppach - Indians
25 - Michael Barrett - Padres
26 - Kenji Johjima - Mariners
27 - J.R. Towles - Astros
28 - John Buck - Royals
29 - Jeff Mathis - Angels
30 - Jason Kendall - Brewers
31 - Matt Wieters - Orioles
32 - Josh Bard - Padres
33 - Rod Barajas - Blue Jays
34 - David Ross - Reds
35 - Carlos Ruiz - Phillies
36 - Ronny Paulino - Pirates
37 - Miguel Montero - Diamondbacks
38 - Taylor Teagarden - Rangers
39 - Chris Coste - Phillies
40 - Miguel Olivo - Royals

- Arranging the top four is a very tough call. I had Victor Martinez, Joe Mauer and Russell Martin all at $25 the beginning of this year, though Martin would have been more like $23 in the AL. Brian McCann was ranked fourth, but he was well back of the top three. Right now, I'd have all four bunched together at the top, with Jorge Posada well back in fifth.

- The Rangers' catching situation will be one to watch this winter. The team declined to trade Gerald Laird before the deadline, but he's still the likeliest to go. However, the Rangers have the opportunity to trade two catchers with both Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez waiting in the wings. The Red Sox are one of the teams that would like to make Teagarden their catcher of the future, and Ramirez has a chance to be a regular first baseman or DH if he doesn't last behind the plate. I'm better that Jarrod Saltalamacchia starts for the Rangers next year, with Teagarden serving as the backup.

- Matt Wieters cracks the top 40, though my guess is that he'll start next season in the minors. Ramon Hernandez remains under contract. He is a candidate to be dealt, but even if that happens, the Orioles could bring in another veteran. The Orioles could save themselves quite a bit of money in the long run if they have Wieters spend the first month or two of the year in Triple-A.

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