A wealth of young talent is creating a bit of a renaissance at catcher, a position that traditionally has been dominated by a handful of established veterans.
Though stalwarts J.T. Realmuto (11th season) and Salvador Perez (13th) are still among the position’s top tier, there’s been an infusion of youth over the past several seasons that has made it much easier for fantasy managers to find solid starters, even relatively late in drafts.
FANTASY RANKINGS: Top 200 overall players for 2024
In the American League, the Orioles’ Adley Rutschman improved on his rookie year with 20 homers, 80 RBI and an excellent .374 OBP. Seattle’s Cal Raleigh led all catchers with 30 home runs. Meanwhile, the biggest buzz of the spring surrounds the Astros’ Yainer Diaz, who hit .282 with 23 dingers in a part-time role last year but will be taking over as the everyday starter.
In the National League, Realmuto and the Dodgers’ Will Smith lead the way, with the Contreras brothers William (Brewers) and Willson (Cardinals) right behind. Keep an eye on second-year starters Gabriel Moreno — a rare catcher who’s a batting average asset — and Francisco Alvarez — whose 25 home runs led all NL backstops, but who hit just .209.
FANTASY RANKINGS: Top 200 overall players for 2024
Fantasy baseball catcher rankings for 2024
- Adley Rutschman, Orioles AL1
- J.T. Realmuto, Phillies NL1
- Will Smith, Dodgers NL2
- William Contreras, Brewers NL3
- Salvador Perez, Royals AL2
- Willson Contreras, Cardinals NL4
- Cal Raleigh, Mariners AL3
- Sean Murphy, Braves NL5
- Yainer Diaz, Astros AL4
- Gabriel Moreno, Diamondbacks NL6
- Jonah Heim, Rangers AL5
- Francisco Alvarez, Mets NL7
- Logan O’Hoppe, Angels AL6
- Bo Naylor, Guardians AL7
- Keibert Ruiz, Nationals NL8
- Mitch Garver, Mariners AL8
- Luis Campusano, Padres NL9
- Tyler Stephenson, Reds NL10
- Ryan Jeffers, Twins AL9
- Elias Diaz, Rockies NL11
- Danny Jansen, Blue Jays AL10
- Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays AL11
- Connor Wong, Red Sox AL12
- Shea Langeliers, A’s AL13
- Austin Wells, Yankees AL14
- Yan Gomes, Cubs NL12
- Patrick Bailey, Giants NL13
- Travis d’Arnaud, Braves NL14
- Jake Rogers, Tigers AL15
- Gary Sanchez, Brewers NL15
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