Updated Catcher Rankings — July 2011

As the season moves on, things are really settling in with the catcher rankings.  Not a whole lot of movement from tier to tier (almost none), but some movement within.  Remember, the criteria used for the rankings is as follows:

 

1.  Current performance level
2.  Expected performance for rest of season
3.  Value based on standard 5×5 categories (avg over OBP)

 

Here’s how it looks heading into July.

Penthouse on Park Avenue

Brian McCann

Victor Martinez

Miguel Montero

Alex Avila

 

The top three remain the same and it would be difficult to argue against any of them at this point.  Avila gets the push after a .346-2-17 June which helped entrench him as one of the better hitting catchers in baseball right now and a huge fantasy asset.

 

Comfy Living

Carlos Santana

Joe Mauer

J.P. Arencibia

Russell Martin

Matt Wieters

Geovany Soto

Mike Napoli

 

Martin swaps spots with Avila as his numbers continue to decline on a month to month basis.  His power totals are still solid and he’s got a good walk rate which helps keep him from dropping further.  Mauer moves up within the tier, but until more power is shown, he stays on this level.

 

Small House in the ‘Burbs

Jonathan Lucroy

Yadier Molina

Miguel Olivo

Jorge Posada

Chris Iannetta

Kurt Suzuki

Carlos Ruiz

John Buck

 

While he’s still performing well, a down month of June keeps Lucroy from jumping up a tier.  He’s close though and a good start after the All Star Break could bump him up.  Posada moves up within the tier after finally breaking out offensively, and a big welcome to the ‘burbs for Olivo.  The average is little to be desired and he still strikes out too much, but you just can’t deny the power totals, especially for a Mariners backstop.

 

Shoebox Apartment

Wilson Ramos

A.J. Pierzynski

Rod Barajas

Yorvit Torrealba

Nick Hundley

Humberto Quintero

John Jaso

 

This tier remains relatively untouched with the exception of a Torrealba drop which I’m sure everyone understands.  Ramos could get a bump to the next level with a little stronger of a showing next month, while Pierzynski moves up within the tier for his solid improvement in hitting.  The power isn’t quite there, but the average has taken a solid increase.

 

Sharing a Room

Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Ramon Hernandez

Ryan Hanigan

Ronny Paulino

Josh Thole

Eli Whiteside

J.R. Towles

Matt Treanor

Brayan Pena

Hank Conger

George Kottaras

Chris Stewart

 

Still filled with a bunch of platooners and guys who won’t kill you to have as a second catcher in leagues that require two.  Hernandez falls to this group with his even split of time with Hanigan and a regression in overall numbers.

 

Shanty-town

Ivan Rodriguez

Jeff Mathis

Kelly Shoppach

Chris Snyder*

Ryan Doumit*

Jesus Montero

Jason Kendall*

Jason Castro*

Buster Posey*

 

This group is just turning into a wasteland of injured backstops and guys you just shouldn’t even have on your roster at this point.

*denotes injured player