Baseball - Position Rankings

One of the toughest positions to draft for in the fantasy world is catcher. For so many years you had a few elite guys, some ok guys, and then a significant drop off. Going into the 2011 season the catcher landscape has drastically changed…for the better. You now have four major studs to pick from, some middle of the road productive guys, and some rookies and veterans that will be adequate. Here are my projections for the 2011 season.

TIER 1

1.  Joe Mauer - 27                                                                           Bats: Left

Mauer was hampered by injuries and a switch to new pitcher friendly Target Field in 2010.  If Mauer can show David Wright like growth this season in a pitcher friendly park, then you can expect better than this projection in HR and RBI. Mauer is in his prime and is still the #1 catcher on the board.

V-Mart is moving to full-time in DH (though he will see a some time behind plate) after signing with the Tigers in the offseason.  He will be a welcomed bat in an already potent Tigers lineup. Expect V- Mart to put stats along 2010 line possibly more if he hits behind Cabrera.

3.  Buster Posey – 23         ***Major Upside                             Bats: Right

Ever since Posey’s arrival May 29^th he has had one of the dominant runs ever seen by a catcher, and everybody took notice. Expect mini slumps throughout the season, but an overall solid sophomore season.

4. Brian McCann – 27                                                                   Bats: Left

McCann is probably the most consistent catchers out there and you know what you get from year to year. His stat line dropped off a little year, but you can expect a potentially strong bounce back year for McCann with better protection in that Braves lineup.

TIER 2

5. Carlos  Santana – 24       ***(Major Upside)                         Bats: Both

Santana started off strong before major knee surgery  took him out in August after a June call-up. This kid has a good blend of power and patience and should take a big step forward barring any major injury.

6. Matt Wieters – 24            **(Good Upside)                              Bats: Both

I think this is year you will begin to see Wieters take a big step forward and start to show the promise we all know he had now that Baltimore has a legit manager and key offseason additions in Lee and Reynolds.

7. Geovany Soto – 28                                                                 Bats: Right

Soto showed some life in 2010 after a horrendous 2009. If  he can stay healthy you can expect him to post 2008 like numbers, and with his power potential might even exceed them.

8. Miguel Montero – 27                                                                Bats: Left

With Chris Snyder gone the job is all his. Think 2009 with potential to be better. Montero has above average power and could hit 20 HR if given the chance.  This is Montero’s make or break year who could have a breakout year if he can stay healthy.

9. Kurt Suzuki – 27                                                                       Bats: Left

Suzuki’s numbers fell across the board in 2010, even though he plays in tough park in Oakland, but he hit 43 points higher on the road last year.  He is durable as they come. His average will go back up but his other numbers will fall somewhere between his 09 and 10 numbers.

10. Mike Napoli – 29                                                            Bats: Right

Napoli has great power at a thin position, but his average will kill you, mostly so make sure you surround your fantasy team will solid average guys so you can balance out your team.

TIER 3

11. Yadier Molina – 28                                                        Bats: Right

Molina's fine glovework makes him one of the few true everyday catchers in the majors, which gives him more Fantasy value than his stats would suggest. He can also hit for average, though this season's .262 mark was a disappointment. Despite a lack of power, Molina provides enough for Fantasy owners to use him in nearly all formats.

12. J. P. Arencibia – 25       * (Decent Upside)                Bats:  Right

Call me crazy for having  J. P. ranked so, but this guy could be the Posey from last year. Arencibia can hit. Everyone can just look at his minor-league numbers and see that. Arencibia has hit 20-plus homers in three straight season in the minors and also has 30-plus doubles in each of his last three minor-league seasons. What's going to help Arencibia this spring is that he caught most of the Jays' potential starters in the minors

13. John Jaso – 27              *(Decent Upside)                  Bats: Left

Had a solid rookie year. Strong on-base percentage (.372) from drawing 59 walks against 39 strikeouts. love his lineup spot and place discipline, this guy could surprise.

14. Russell Martin – 28                                                       Bats: Right

Former fantasy star has a .249 average and 12 homers over the last two seasons. Can he revive his bat in the Bronx? I think a return to 09 form is realistic projection.

15.  A. J. Pierzynski – 34                                                    Bats :Left

Pierzynski's offensive numbers were down all around in 2010 expect for his RBI. He has never supplied a ton of power but he has been a viable Fantasy option for years and should continue to be so, especially with Adam Dunn now in Chicago. The White Sox eventually hope to turn the catcher spot over to Tyler Flowers, but after he struggled with a .220 batting average at Triple-A Charlotte this year, they decided to bring Pierzynski back

Other Notables

Carlos Ruiz

Chris Ianetta

Jarrod Saltalamaccia

John Buck