2009 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Catchers

By Kevin Kleps, Fantasy Correspondent

The top 20 fantasy baseball catchers for the 2009 season, with 2008 statistics in parentheses):

1. Brian McCann, Braves (68 runs, 23 HR, 87 RBI, 5 SB, .301 AVG)
2. Russell Martin, Dodgers (18 runs, 13 HR, 69 RBI, 18 SB, .280 AVG)
3. Geovany Soto, Cubs (66 runs, 23 HR, 86 RBI, 0 SB, .285 AVG)
4. Ryan Doumit, Pirates (71 runs, 15 HR, 69 RBI, 2 SB, .318 AVG)
5. Joe Mauer, Twins (98 runs, 9 HR, 85 RBI, 1 SB, .328 AVG)
6. Victor Martinez, Indians (30 runs, 2 HR, 35 RBI, 0 SB, .268 AVG)
7. Jorge Posada, Yankees (18 runs, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 0 SB, .268 AVG)
8. Mike Napoli, Angels (29 runs, 20 HR, 48 RBI, 7 SB, .273 AVG)
9. Chris Ianetta, Rockies (50 runs, 18 HR, 65 RBI, 0 SB, .264 AVG)
10. Bengie Molina, Giants (46 runs, 16 HR, 95 RBI, 0 SB, .292 AVG)
11. Ramon Hernandez, Reds (49 runs, 15 HR, 65 RBI, 0 SB, .257 AVG)
12. Chris Snyder, Diamondbacks (47 runs, 16 HR, 64 RBI, 0 SB, .237 AVG)
13. A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox (66 runs, 13 HR, 60 RBI, 1 SB, .281 AVG)
14. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Rangers (27 runs, 3 HR, 26 RBI, .253 AVG)
15. Kelly Shoppach, Indians (67 runs, 21 HR, 55 RBI, 0 SB, .261 AVG)
16. Matt Wieters, Orioles (rookie)
17. Ivan Rodriguez, Astros (44 runs, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 10 SB, .276 AVG)
18. Dioner Navarro, Rays (43 runs, 7 HR, 54 RBI, 0 SB, .295 AVG)
19. Kurt Suzuki, A's (54 runs, 7 HR, 42 RBI, 2 SB, .279 AVG)
20. Jeff Clement, Mariners (17 runs, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 0 SB, .227 AVG)

Short hops

Don’t be surprised if Martinez, who had a combined 84 home runs and 395 RBI from 2004-07 but had his power sapped by an elbow injury last season, outperforms every catcher but McCann. ... Mauer is a great hitter, but has only 44 homers in 2,059 career at-bats. ... In 714 career at-bats, Napoli has 46 homers and 125 RBI. ... If Posada regains his old form, he’s underrated at No. 7. ... If Martinez and Posada are healthy, there are seven productive catchers, followed by a big drop at No. 8. ... Beware of the high strikeout totals of Snyder (101 in 334 at-bats) and Shoppach (133 in 352). The latter will get a significant amount of time behind the plate, with Martinez shifting to first base and DH. ... I wouldn’t overrate the highly regarded Wieters, who has never batted in the big leagues. ... Saltalamacchia was overrated last season, then flopped. He could be a draft-day steal as a backup.