2016 Ottoneu FGpts Rankings – Catcher
We’re starting to roll out Ottoneu FGpts rankings today. We will start with catcher and work our way through the rest of the positions by the time auction drafts are in full swing. In the context of Ottoneu, perhaps rankings are a misnomer, because you really want to know the dollar value each player is worth. We’ve included this information as well. In all, these rankings should help to give you a spread of four dollar values for each player, as well as a comparison to average prices (post-arbitration, pre-cut deadline) within the Ottoneu FGpts universe. Each player’s Ottoneu eligibility (5GS, 10 appearances) is included as well, though players are ranked at their most valuable position. If you have questions on a specific ranking, or a question for a specific ranker, feel free to let us know in the comments.
Consider this your very early, subject to change, Ottoneu pricing cheat sheet.
We can be reached on twitter as follows:
Trey Baughn
Joe Douglas
Tom Oltarzewski
Justin Vibber
Key:
Split – Difference from highest to lowest $ value
Otto.– Average price across Ottoneu FGpts leagues
AVG. – Average $ value from the four of us
(+/-) – Difference between Ottoneu average price and our average $ value
| Rank | Name | ELIG | Justin | Joe | Tom | Trey | Split | Otto. | AVG. | (+/-) |
| 1 | Buster Posey | 1B/C | $33 | $33 | $29 | $35 | $6 | $39 | $33 | -$6 |
| 2 | Kyle Schwarber | C/OF | $30 | $28 | $26 | $21 | $9 | $11 | $26 | $15 |
| 3 | Jonathan Lucroy | 1B/C | $11 | $13 | $10 | $17 | $7 | $18 | $13 | -$5 |
| 4 | Travis d’Arnaud | C | $11 | $9 | $9 | $14 | $5 | $11 | $11 | $0 |
| 5 | Yasmani Grandal | C | $12 | $11 | $8 | $10 | $4 | $9 | $10 | $2 |
| 6 | Brian McCann | 1B/C | $11 | $9 | $11 | $10 | $2 | $13 | $10 | -$2 |
| 7 | Russell Martin | C | $10 | $7 | $7 | $12 | $5 | $8 | $9 | $1 |
| 8 | Nick Hundley | C | $9 | $8 | $10 | $4 | $6 | $3 | $8 | $4 |
| 9 | Devin Mesoraco | C | $7 | $5 | $7 | $12 | $7 | $9 | $8 | -$1 |
| 10 | Stephen Vogt | 1B/C | $8 | $7 | $7 | $5 | $3 | $6 | $7 | $1 |
| 11 | Francisco Cervelli | C | $4 | $4 | $4 | $6 | $2 | $4 | $5 | $0 |
| 12 | Yan Gomes | C | $4 | $3 | $4 | $5 | $2 | $9 | $4 | -$5 |
| 13 | Salvador Perez | C | $7 | $2 | $4 | $2 | $5 | $13 | $4 | -$9 |
| 14 | Matt Wieters | C | $3 | $3 | $1 | $7 | $6 | $11 | $4 | -$7 |
| 15 | Welington Castillo | C | $4 | $2 | $2 | $3 | $2 | $4 | $3 | -$1 |
| 16 | Yadier Molina | C | $2 | $3 | $3 | $1 | $2 | $14 | $2 | -$12 |
| 17 | Miguel Montero | C | $1 | $1 | $4 | $2 | $3 | $6 | $2 | -$4 |
| 18 | Blake Swihart | C | $0 | $3 | $2 | $2 | $3 | $6 | $2 | -$4 |
| 19 | Tommy Murphy | C | $3 | $3 | $0 | $0 | $3 | $3 | $2 | -$2 |
| 20 | Dioner Navarro | C | $1 | $1 | $3 | $1 | $2 | $4 | $2 | -$3 |
| 21 | Derek Norris | 1B/C | $2 | $1 | $1 | $1 | $1 | $5 | $1 | -$4 |
| 22 | Wilson Ramos | C | $1 | $1 | $1 | $1 | $0 | $8 | $1 | -$7 |
| 23 | J.T. Realmuto | C | $0 | $0 | $0 | $4 | $4 | $3 | $1 | -$2 |
| 24 | Alex Avila | 1B/C | $0 | $1 | $1 | $0 | $1 | $4 | $1 | -$4 |
| 25 | Chris Iannetta | C | $1 | $1 | $0 | $0 | $1 | $5 | $1 | -$5 |
| 26 | Josmil Pinto | C | $2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2 | $5 | $1 | -$4 |
| 27 | Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C | $1 | $0 | $1 | $0 | $1 | $7 | $1 | -$6 |
| 28 | Josh Phegley | C | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1 | $1 | $4 | $0 | -$4 |
| 29 | Gary Sanchez | C | $1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1 | $4 | $0 | -$4 |
| 30 | J.R.Murphy | C | $0 | $0 | $1 | $0 | $1 | $3 | $0 | -$3 |
| Total $ | $179 | $161 | $156 | $176 | ||||||
| Total ranked | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | ||||||
Some Takeaways:
Only players who received a ranking from at least one of the four of us were included. Players not listed are likely post-auction pick-ups ($1 players). The line between a $1 player and a post-auction pick-up is very small.
Each owner has different biases to certain positions. To help illustrate these we’ve included “Total $” and “Total ranked” at the bottom of the table. We hope this helps you pick apart some different owner strategies/biases.
The (+/-) column may be helpful in determining which players may generally be overrated by your league mates.
Joe works at a consulting firm in Pittsburgh. When he isn't working or studying for actuarial exams, he focuses on baseball. He also writes @thepointofpgh. Follow him on twitter @Ottoneutrades
I think there is a lot of value to be had at the catcher position. People seem to hate catchers. Nobody wants to pay up for anyone but Posey (and now Schwarber). Everyone needs to start a catcher. You might as well maximize value at the position. I think what scares people away is the nature of the position – crouching all the time, getting destroyed by foul tips, injuries, etc. All risks you take when paying up for one. I, myself, will be trying to secure a top catcher as I think there is a huge gap between the top and bottom. I have traded for Posey in numerous leagues.
I’ve also made the decision to cut guys like a $12 McCann and $7 Cervelli in leagues that I don’t have Posey. I don’t know if I can get Posey or Schwarber in those leagues, but I anticipate being able to get those guys for cheaper at auction.
I’m curious as to how to account for the ability to use two Cs such that you can cherry-pick 80 or more starts from each. Is Hundley more valuable b/c you can choose to start him only at home? Are some Cs more valuable b/c they have splits you can benefit from? Are these “advantages” so slight as to not be worth considering? Are they already “baked into” the values above? Sorry if I don’t understand the issue well enough to ask a clear question. Thanks.
Not to speak out of turn, but this usually is accounted for by a lower replacement level, which raises values.
Ottoneu is a faux 2 catcher league. You have 2 catcher slots, but only 162 Games to split between them. This helps to increase the replacement level of the position because you can pick and choose starts. So for example, you could own W. Castillo (at Home) and M. Montero (vRHP) and get decent production for cheap. Personally, I feel this only lessens the value of the top guys (because the baseline they are measured against is inflated by the “platoonablility” of lesser options). Posey’s value increase dramatically if only one C slot exists in the lineups because you “HAVE” to player a catcher every day, and you can save a roster spot.
There are numerous ways to take advantage of the two catcher format, a 3 headed platoon is one. Every year there are two to three catchers that come on half way through the season as well. Last year I had only had about 10 starts at catcher through May, and still managed to hit my games played.
hey joe, actuary here. what are you sitting for next?
MLC is next on my list.
good luck! you’ll have plenty of time to study once draft season is over. just remember P=A/a
Tommy Murphy? It’s linking to a 36 y/o ex angels outfielder. I assume you mean the Rockies backup?
Yes, Mark. The Rockies backup.
How deep was replacement level for your calculations? The prices honestly seem low to me on the upper end even if you’re setting replacement at 12 catchers.
Agreed. And given that you have 162 starts to make at C, there’s a strong argument for accounting for more than just your starter.