The 2025 fantasy baseball season is open for enterprise! For certain, that’s blessed information for everybody that has been ready all winter. The Stomach Up Fantasy Baseball Present has begun and my first fantasy baseball article of the season, begin a fantasy league, went out final week. On this Prime Ten Fantasy Catchers version, I’ll check out the highest ten gamers on the place that you want in your roster come draft day.
As with all of my articles, I actually welcome feedback and ideas from all of my readers. With nothing standing in the best way, we are able to proceed on to the rankings, which I’ll begin with the quantity ten spot and work backward.
Quantity Ten: Austin Wells, New York Yankees
Final yr, Austin Wells, 25, performed his first full main league season. He appeared in 115 video games, hitting .229-13-55, with a .325/.395 slash line, a 103 OPS+, .261 BAbip, a .167 ISO and he scored 42 runs. He has youth on his facet, is hitting in a superb lineup and has three 30 house run seasons within the minors. Any supervisor that likes to attend on a catcher in fantasy drafts might do quite a bit worse than Wells.
Quantity 9: Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Checking into the quantity 9 place is Tyler Stephenson, 28. Final yr in 138 video games, Stephenson hit .258-19-66 with a .338/.444 slash line, a 112 OPS+, a .307 BAbip, a .186 ISO and scored 69 runs. He has performed in 132 or extra video games in three of his 4 seasons and occurs to play in among the best hitting parks within the majors. Clearly, he would make a fantastic addition to any fantasy roster.
Quantity Eight: Logan O’Hoppe, Los Angeles Angels
The Angels’ Logan O’Hoppe checks in at quantity eight within the rankings, regardless of the offseason addition of Travis d’Arnaud. O’Hoppe is the youngest catcher in these rankings (24) and the guess is that the Angels gained’t waste his skills by placing an ageing veteran on the sector as a substitute. Actually, this Prime Ten Fantasy Catchers version recommends monitored their spring coaching for clues.
As for O’Hoppe, he performed in 136 video games, hitting .244-20-56 with a .303/.409 slash line, 103 OPS+, .318 BAbip, .165 ISO and scored 64 runs. The 20 homers exhibits he has higher echelon energy within the place. Greater than seemingly, the .318 BAbip will not be sustainable, but when he merely falls to the league .292 common, it gained’t have an effect on his manufacturing a lot. Clearly, O’Hoppe makes for a fantastic fantasy addition, so long as the Angels don’t go silly and play d’Arnaud at catcher as a substitute of designated hitter the place he belongs.
Quantity Seven: Shea Langeliers, A’s
Shocked? Belief me, I couldn’t consider that I used to be putting Shea Langeliers on this place, both. Nevertheless, analysis demanded his inclusion. At age 27, Langeliers is coming into his prime and has been sturdy. Over the previous two years, he has appeared in 135 and 137 video games. In 2024, Langeliers’ common was a disappointment at .224. Even so, once you take a look at his stats, he produced, as his 29 homers and 80 RBIs clearly signifies.
Additional, his slash line was .288/.450 with a 111 OPS+, a .252 BAbip, a .226 ISO and he scored 58 runs. Most significantly, whereas many groups have executed subsequent to nothing this offseason, the A’s have added some gamers to the roster. Their lineup must be higher than first rate and hitting in a Pacific Coast League park may be a bonus for Langeliers and his teammates. There could be little question that he would look good on any fantasy roster.
Quantity Six: Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers
At first, it would seem that Will Smith will not be ranked excessive sufficient on this Prime Ten Fantasy Catchers version. Nevertheless, his 2024 season locations him proper right here. The .248 batting common he produced final season was the worst of his profession. The 20 homers and 75 RBIs had been consistent with 2023, however each different side of his play, together with OBP, SLG, and OPS+ took a step again.
After all, the Dodgers gained all of it final yr, however Smith’s contribution within the postseason was minimal at finest. In 16 playoff video games, Smith had simply eight hits. Within the World Sequence, all Smith might muster was two hits. It was not a very good search for Smith, who had 5 hits in simply three playoff video games in 2023.
Nevertheless, with an offseason behind him, the wager right here is that he’ll climb again on the horse and be a top quality fantasy catcher, who might simply climb into the highest 5 in 2025.
Quantity 5: Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
Shifting into the highest 5, Cal Raleigh has greater than earned this rating. The truth is, the one side of his sport that stops him from shifting greater is his astronomic strikeout whole: 176 in 546 at bats. To be truthful, Raleigh’s walks (a profession excessive 70) buffers {that a} bit. Whilst that’s true, although, managers need him for one factor: Raleigh can hit for energy like few others, catcher or not.
In a shocking 153 video games, Raleigh hit 34 homers and drove in 100 runs in 2024. The Ks actually stand out in factors leagues, as every one is a detrimental level. If he might make a little bit extra contact (.251 BAbip), his output would soar. At this level, although, he’s what he’s.
In the long run, the quantity of video games that he performs and his energy push him into to the highest 5. Managers should draft him comparatively excessive. Solely they’ll resolve if what he produces is price his ADP.
Quantity 4: Yanier Diaz, Houston Astros
Checking in at quantity 4 may be a little bit of a shock. Nevertheless, Yanier Diaz has earned his spot. He has the youth (26) you want on the catcher place. As well as, he’s within the lineup frequently, as his 148 video games performed in 2024 proves. Better of all, he can hit the baseball. Test his stats: .299-16-84 with a .325/.441 slash line. To be trustworthy, his .338 BAbip is unsustainable, because it was over 40 factors greater than his earlier season.
Even so, the .292 he put collectively in 2023 equaled final yr’s league common. As such, don’t anticipate an enormous downturn in that space. Additional, Diaz’ 118 OPS+ was proper consistent with 2023, indicating that he could be counted on to be a constant massive league participant. More than likely, a supervisor gained’t must take Diaz as excessive as lots of the gamers on this record, making him a strong worth on this Prime Ten Fantasy Catchers version.
Quantity Three: Salvador Perez, Kansas Metropolis Royals
Even at his superior age, Salvador Perez nonetheless ranks as a prime fantasy catcher. The truth is, that would be the case all through the 2025 season no matter what number of video games he really begins behind the plate. As is his customized, Perez had an enormous season within the batter’s field final yr. His .271-27-104, .330/.456 slashline and 119 OPS+ actually show that assertion. Moreover, he had a .302 BAbip and a .185 ISO.
In some unspecified time in the future within the close to future, Perez will take a step again. There may be each cause to consider that gained’t happen this season, nevertheless. He’s nonetheless within the Kansas Metropolis lineup frequently, as his unbelievable 158 video games performed in 2024 point out. Certainly, his days behind the plate are quick. For this season, although, that has nothing to do with fantasy. So long as he qualifies as a catcher, his rating is assured. Draft Perez with confidence in 2025.
Quantity Two: Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles
Within the coveted quantity two spot steps Adley Rutschman. His pedigree ranks him this excessive, despite the fact that he took a small step again final season. In 148 video games, the 26 yr outdated hit .250-19-79 with a .318/.391 slash line. In 2023, these averages had been .277-20-80 and .374/.435, respectfully. Additional, his OPS+ was 131 and 128 his first two years. In 2024 it was 107. Moreover, his BAbip (.272) and ISO (.140) had been profession lows.
For certain, not an enormous step again statistically, however sufficient of 1 to securely forestall him from the primary general place. No query, Rutschman is a protected selection at catcher in fantasy. Even so, there will likely be a excessive draft price related to him. The wager right here is that he’ll reverse the downward pattern, if one desires to name it that, and return all of his stats to what we noticed in earlier seasons. Within the closing evaluation, there are not any worries with Rutschman. Draft him with no cares connected.
Quantity One: William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers
Checking in at primary, not solely in fantasy, however actual baseball as properly, is William Contreras. No doubt, every thing that he produced in 2024 marks him worthy of this spot. Even so, there’s one which stands out, particularly in fantasy: Contreras performed in 155 video games in 2024. For managers like me, that need just one fantasy catcher on the roster, that many video games makes putting him on the prime a straightforward determination.
Within the final 4 years, Contreras has improved the entire essential stats from one season to the subsequent. Some could fear that taking place is the one course for him in 2025, however I’m not shopping for into that. Contreras is simply 27, so he nonetheless has youth on his facet. His .365/.466 slashline exhibits he’s elite, as does his 129 OPS+. Many could take a look at his .330 BAbip and conclude he gained’t be capable of preserve it. One drawback, although, his profession BAbip is even greater than that: .335. Even deeper, his .185 ISO is correct consistent with what he profession common: (.188).
On the finish of the day, every thing that Contreras has produced, not solely final season, however over his profession, signifies he’s the highest catcher in fantasy. The stats are essential, in fact, however the quantity of video games he performs locations him firmly on the prime. There is no such thing as a cause to overthink it in terms of Contreras. Draft him and luxuriate in his manufacturing in 2025.
The Final Phrase
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