Archive for Catcher Rankings

Here are your catcher rankings. Being a day late and a dollar short is a good thing, right? Numbers are still preseason FANS projections, unless otherwise noted.

Big Three
Joe Mauer (.409 wOBA)
Brian McCann (.378)
Victor Martinez (.373)

I didn’t think I would ever consider it, but V-Mart needs to get his act together or he’s in danger of moving down the list. Consider yourself on notice, Victor.

Happy to Have
Matt Wieters (.364)
Russell Martin (.346)
Jorge Posada (.361)
Geovany Soto (.354)

No changes in this order. I wouldn’t expect much change for the rest of the year, either. Soto is still heating up, and I’m really glad I have him right now.

Name That Molina
Kurt Suzuki (.332)
Bengie Molina (.305)
Yadier Molina (.330)

I was considering moving Suzuki down in actual rank this week, but hitting three homers keeps him afloat. He’s only hit three line drives all year, so that’s not a good sign going forward.

I Am Jack’s Catcher
Carlos Ruiz (.331)
Ryan Doumit (.330)
John Baker (.333)
Ivan Rodriguez (.286)

You all should be ashamed of yourselves for making fun of the great Edward Norton. Just for that, you will have the privilege of reading my posts with references from his movies all year long. You did it to yourself, America.

Wait and See
A.J. Pierzynski (.313)
Jeff Clement (.350, ZiPS and CHONE)

A.J. and Clement are both better than they are playing thus far, so just hang back and let lady luck get back on their side.

Problem Children
Chris Snyder (.331)
Chris Iannetta (.366)
Mike Napoli (.363)
Miguel Olivo (.312)
Miguel Montero (.352)

Olivo makes his debut on the list. I like the power he’s shown, but a 41.7% HR/FB rate is ridiculous. You really don’t expect him to slug .707 this year, do you? Once he starts cooling off, Iannetta will get more at bats and will shine.

The Rest of ‘Em
Carlos Santana (.348, CHONE)
Rod Barajas (.296)
Jeff Mathis (.276)
Kelly Shoppach (.341)

Can anyone call The Tribe and beg them to call up Santana? Please? Also, Jason Kendall falls all the way off of the list because he sucks.

Here are your updated catcher rankings. I’m going to stick with FANS projected wOBA for now, with a switch to 2010 stats after the first month is over.

Big Three
Joe Mauer (.409 wOBA)
Brian McCann (.378)
Victor Martinez (.373)

Like I said last week, and probably will every week, this isn’t going to change without an injury occurring.

Happy to Have
Matt Wieters (.364)
Russell Martin (.346)
Jorge Posada (.361)
Geovany Soto (.354)
Kurt Suzuki (.332)

Geo Soto not only moves into this group, but he also passes Suzuki in the process. Soto started out extremely slow, but it looks like he may have found his rhythm and will see plenty of playing time because of it. As long as Sweet Lou is confident in Geo, I will be, too.

Name That Molina
Bengie Molina (.305)
Yadier Molina (.330)

Bengie, along with a good chunk of the Giants offense, is hitting well right out of the gate. Yadier is going to give you batting average, and the fact that he has already hit two homers is a good sign. Maybe.

Nameless
Ryan Doumit (.330)
Carlos Ruiz (.331)
A.J. Pierzynski (.313)
John Baker (.333)

I’m not going to lie to you; I couldn’t think of a name for this group. Maybe it should be called “Unexcited”, “The Butcher, John Baker, and a Candlestick Maker”, or “I am Jack’s Catcher.” None of these guys do anything to make me want them on my roster, but I’ll pick them up if I have to. Also, if you don’t get the vague pop culture reference, maybe you should have a Edward Norton movie marathon.

Questionable
Chris Iannetta (.366)
Jeff Clement (.350, ZiPS and CHONE)
Ivan Rodriguez (.286)
Chris Snyder (.331)
Miguel Montero (.352)

So many question marks, so little production. Each of these guys has their upside, but all have their own set of problems. I really hope Miguel Olivo gets in a fiery car wreck, or whatever horrible accident Dave decides to go with this week.

I Hate Mike Scioscia
Rod Barajas (.296)
Carlos Santana (.348, CHONE)
Mike Napoli (.363)
Jeff Mathis (.276)

I’m moving Santana above Napoli and Mathis, because the LAA catcher situation is going to be a crapshoot all year long.

The Rest of ‘Em
Jason Kendall (.290)
Kelly Shoppach (.341)

Shoppach is on the DL with a knee injury, which is being listed as a sprain but could in fact require surgery. He wasn’t getting a whole lot of playing time to begin with, but this isn’t good.