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Pete’s Picks

The top catcher going into 2008 is a split between Cleveland‘s Victor Martinez, who also qualifies at 1B, and the Dodger‘s Russell Martin. Going strictly by the numbers, Martinez has a 3 point lead over Martin. Some other qualities to look at here is that Martinez, as was mentioned already, also qualifies at 1B. On the other hand, how many catchers can steal anything even close to 20 bases? Martin had 21 in 2007 with a 70% success rate. Not too shabby for a catcher, eh?

A close second to these two, based on his 2007 numbers, would be Yankee back stop Jorge Posada. The only question here is how much longer can he keep this up? He’s no spring chicken anymore! Whatever that means. 😉 Personnally, I don’t expect his 2008 numbers to be “AS” dog gone good as they were last year. But then again I thought that going into 2007 as well.

The next tier of catchers are the Brave‘s Brian McCann and the Twin‘s Joe Mauer, both could easily be in the top three if either of them can stay healthy in 2008. Both men struggled with nagging injuries last year and I’m betting that their numbers will be improved upon in 2008.

If you can get any one of these catchers, you’re doing alright for yourself as far as catchers go. Now lets look at a few of the above average catchers that will be taken after these 5 are long gone. Tops on this list is Boston‘s Jason Varitek, who, like Posada in NY, can’t keep this going for much longer in order to have first round Fantasy value. For now he’s still a solid choice in most leagues. Kenji Johjima of Seattle should be in the top 10 here for a few years at least (barring injuries). On the Posada and Varitek class comes the Giant’s Benji Molina and Pudge Rodriguez of the Tigers. Both should be ok in 2008, but to go beyond that might be a stretch offensively. Although if I had to choose one in 2009, I’d go with Pudge!

Some catchers who might be on their way up or that may classify as sleeper picks would be the Phillies‘ Carlos Ruiz, John Buck of KC, Josh Bard of the Padres and Ryan Doumit of the Pirates, that is if he sees enough time at that position in 2008 (he also qualifies in RF).

Going in the other direction, at least in my opinion, would be Brad Ausmus, A.J. Pierzynski of the White Sox, and Jason Kendall.

Others that are in no man’s land and they can go either way would likely to be Migel Olivo, Ronny Paulino of the Pirates, Ramon Hernandez of the Orioles and Gerald Laird of Texas.

**See the chart below to look at these and the rest of the lot’s 2007 stats!**

[table= 20]

* Denotes that this player was a Rookie in 2007

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