Catcher ADP Market Report: 3/22/21

With draft season upon us, it is important to monitor where players are being drafted on a regular basis. Throughout draft season, I have been doing that work for you with regular updates on the Average Draft Position on NFBC up until Opening Day. You can find all the pieces in this series here.

Top 100 Players Rising

None

Top 100 Players Falling

JT Realmuto (-8.69)- Realmuto is falling due to breaking his thumb back in February. He was supposed to play on Sunday, but was unable to go after experiencing some soreness after a simulated game on Saturday. It doesn’t seem to be a big issue, but there is a chance that he starts the year on the IL. Make sure you plan around that if you draft him. 

Sal Perez (-9.67)- I don’t know why Perez is falling other than other players being pushed up. Perez just signed a long term deal and is coming off of a pretty good season, so I am not afraid to take the shot on him especially with the drop-off at catcher. 

Top 200 Players Rising

None

Top 200 Players Falling

Dalton Varsho (-33.71)- Varsho continues to fall because there was fear he would not make the Opening Day roster. However, the injury to Kole Calhoun makes it seem likely he will be up at the start of the season. He will play the outfield, but has catcher eligibility and if he can hit decently, he would be a steal. However, he has really struggled in spring, hitting .143 with only one walk and 13 strikeouts in 44 plate appearances. This dismal effort may end up getting him demoted after all, but if he is up, there is no reason for the rebuilding Diamondbacks not to play him. 

Aaron Nola (-21.74)- Nola has dropped due to breaking his finger. The news has been encouraging, but it seems likely he starts the year on the IL which would mean you have to draft another catcher to replace him. The fact he would be back soon makes him an interesting stash that might be worth the gamble. 

Top 300 Players Rising

Wilson Ramos (+39.68)- Ramos is rising after signing a deal to be the main catcher in Detroit. He is no longer the player he was in Washington, but he feels like a pretty safe bet to hit double digit homers with a decent average for a catcher. He is going extremely late and is a nice low end catcher one or a good catcher two. 

Carson Kelly (+25.96)- Kelly is rising likely due to the rumors that Varsho might be sent down. Even with the chance that Varsho is on the team, Kelly should be the main catcher and I would expect him to bounce back to a mid teens homer total. He is an interesting catcher two that shouldn’t hurt too much.