Ranking the catchers

As promised, I'm ramping up the baseball content starting this week.  February 1 seems a bit early, I know, but you want me to write about how much Chris Paul's injury hurts (my) fantasy teams?  I didn't think so....(pick up Darren Collison immediately).

Anyway, with the idea that rankings can be stretched into several columns and the hope that you, my readers, will be checking back six times a day in an attempt to be the first to eye the newest posting, here is my take on the catchers in 2010, for fantasy purposes.  Keep in mnd that I am a humbers guy, and as much as I like Phillip Humber, it really means that numbers + hunch = my ranking.  If you don't like that my gut plays into it, that's okay, you can get your advice from someone who didn't win titles in both of their ultra-competetive leagues last year.

Keep in mind, I hate catchers, and usually don't allocate much to this position, unless I need two.  That's another column entirely, though.

1. J. Mauer -- Easy call, numbers should be consistent with '09.
2. V. Martinez -- I'm passing on Martinez and McCann, but they do belong.
3. B. McCann -- Aye.
4. M. Weiters -- Seems right, I like upside plays and he has a chance to hit .290 with 20 bombs.
5. R. Martin -- I like the chances of a bounceback.
6. J. Posada -- Age and injury concerns, but numbers last year were great.  My kind of guy.
7. M. Napoli -- Love the homers and OBP, hate Jeff Mathis.
8. G. Soto -- Terrible in '09, great on '08.  Split the difference?  I'd gamble.
9. M. Montero -- .294, 16 HR in '09.
10. K. Suzuki -- Shockingly muffled 15 HR, 88 RBI, 8 SB season in '09.  I'm not revved up.
11. A. Pierzynski -- Depending on his mood he'll being power or average, and lots of SBs for baserunners.
12. R. Doumit -- Numbers are okay, but I've never been a fan.  Injured every year.
13. J. Saltalamacchia -- Long on potential and surname, short on time.  Needs to start showing it.
14. Y. Molina -- Nothing flashy, but a few homers, a few steals, a lot of ABs and an average that won't kill you.
15. M. Olivo -- Nice power, but how many ABs?  Ianetta still lurks in Col.  Still, sleeper potential.

After 15, all the rest of the guys are basically the same, with a few exceptions.  Carlos Santana and Buster Posey are likely to be midseason adds, but neither is much of a consideration in one catcher redraft leagues.  They are both in the discussion of the top 10 prospects in baseball though, so they are legit keeper targets.  Bengie Molina should be starter worthy until Posey gets the call, and would be borderline top 10 if Buster wasn't in the picture.

Cheers,
TFAM