It’s early, so I will update these as needed throughout the week (injury, hot/cold, etc.).
Still, let’s take a look at my rankings for the upcoming scoring period and see which catchers I would use and which I may shy away from:
- Joe Mauer – Minnesota Twins – vs. KC (2), @ TB (4)
- Victor Martinez – Detroit Tigers – vs. Tex (3), @ Oak (4)
- Brian McCann – Atlanta Braves – vs. Fla (3), vs. NYM (3)
- Carlos Santana – Cleveland Indians – @ LAA (3), vs. Bal (3)
- Buster Posey – San Francisco Giants – vs. LAD (3), @ Ari (3)
- Geovany Soto – Chicago Cubs – @ Hou (3), @ Col (3)
- Miguel Montero – Arizona Diamondbacks – vs. Stl (3), vs. SF (3)
- Mike Napoli – Texas Rangers – @ Det (3), @ NYY (3)
- Jorge Posada – New York Yankees – vs. Bal (3), vs. Tex (3)
- Matt Wieters – Baltimore Orioles – @ NYY (3), @ Cle (3)
- Kurt Suzuki – Oakland Athletics – @ CWS (3), vs. Det (4)
- Russell Martin – New York Yankees – vs. Bal (3), vs. Tex (3)
- J.P. Arencibia – Toronto Blue Jays – @ Sea (3), @ Bos (3)
- Chris Iannetta – Colorado Rockies – @ NYM (4), vs. CHC (3)
- Nick Hundley – San Diego Padres – vs. Cin (3), @ Hou (4)
- John Buck – Florida Marlins – @ Atl (3), @ Phi (3)
- Yadier Molina – St. Louis Cardinals – @ Ari (3), @ LAD (3)
- Miguel Olivo – Seattle Mariners – vs. Tor (3), @ KC (4)
- Josh Thole – New York Mets – vs. Col (4), @ Atl (3)
- A.J. Pierzynski – Chicago White Sox – vs. Oak (3), vs. LAA (3)
Thoughts:
Obviously, we all know that catchers don’t play every day, so having six or seven games in a week does not have a major impact on the rankings (outside of someone like Mike Napoli or Jorge Posada, who will see action at 1B or DH to keep their bat in the lineup).
Geovany Soto gets to play six games in hitter’s ballparks in the coming week. We all know the potential that he has, so seeing him in these setting have to make fantasy owners happy. He could be in store for a big week hitting in the middle of a good lineup.
You don’t want to get too excited over just a few days, but it’s hard to argue with the start of J.P. Arencibia’s season (3-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R). Of course, he had a similar start after being recalled in 2010, before struggling significantly.
We also know that he’s going to sit when Kyle Drabek takes the mound (as well as Brandon Morrow when healthy). Yes, the matchups aren’t ideal (Felix Hernandez and Clay Buchholz), but with his power, it is hard to ignore him.
I have been torn on who was the better option all along between Buster Posey and Carlos Santana.
In the coming week, Posey has likely matchups with Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley, before moving to a hitter’s park. Santana draws Jered Weaver and Dan Haren, so it’s not like he’s in much better shape. Both hit in the middle of their respective lineups, so there’s nothing there. It’s Santana’s better start to the season (and the fact that he will see time at first base) that gives him the edge for the coming week, though just minimally.
Don’t get too excited over Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Hanigan’s big starts to the season. They are going to be sharing time, so their value will be limited.
Kurt Suzuki left Opening Day with a mild ankle sprain, but he has been able to return to the lineup and should be a solid play moving forward.
What are your thoughts of these rankings? Who’s too high? Who’s too low?
Make sure to check out our other Week 2 Rankings:
Top 20 First Basemen
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