2018 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Catcher

Matt Lutovsky

2018 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Catcher image

Catcher is traditionally fantasy baseball's thinnest position, and a quick look at our 2018 rankings reveal that's the case again this season. Every draft cheat will have the top three circled (Gary Sanchez, Buster Posey, Willson Contreras). After that, there are several other dependable, if unspectacular, options, followed by a whole bunch of cheap sleeper candidates. Of course, most of these "sleepers" are more likely to bust, but when you draft them after the 15th round, who cares?

You're not going to find a legit five-category helper at catcher -- or, really, even four -- nor are there many top prospects waiting in the wings (Francisco Mejia being the main exception). But instead of focusing on what you can't find, focus on what you can: Cheap power.

MORE FANTASY BASEBALL: 2018 draft cheat sheet

Once you get past the top eight or nine, all of whom can post at least respectable averages, you're really looking for home run potential. There are still a few backstops who can produce decent averages, but they come with lower HR upside. Austin Barnes is the one exception, as he can do a little of everything, though playing time could be an issue for him.

Chances are, you're not going to be happy with your catcher situation. Even if you got one of the top three, there's a good you chance you overdrafted them. Either way, you have to have one. Playing time is huge, especially in weekly leagues, and lineup position can be big for RBI opportunities. A lot of these guys project as .240-.250 hitters with the potential to hit 15-20 HRs, so an extra 10 RBIs could make a big difference. Watch that throughout the year and don't hesitate to be active on the waiver wire.

2018 FANTASY BASEBALL RANKINGS:
First Second | Third | Shortstop | Outfield | Starter | Reliever

2018 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Catcher

Rankings based on average/runs/HRs/RBIs/SBs. Eligibility based on Yahoo's default settings.

RankPlayerTeamOther Eligibility
1Gary SanchezYankees
2Buster PoseyGiants1B
3Willson ContrerasCubs
4Salvador PerezRoyals
5Evan GattisAstros
6J.T. RealmutoMarlins1B
7Wilson RamosRays
8Yadier MolinaCardinals
9Welington CastilloWhite Sox
10Chris IannettaRockies
11Mike ZuninoMariners
12Russell MartinBlue Jays3B
13Austin BarnesDodgers2B
14Brian McCannAstros
15Alex AvilaDiamondbacks1B
16Robinson ChirinosRangers
17Travis d'ArnaudMets
18Jonathan LucroyA's
19Tyler FlowersBraves
20Yasmani GrandalDodgers
21Jorge AlfaroPhillies
22Tucker BarnhartReds
23Chance SiscoOrioles
24Francisco MejiaIndians
25Martin MaldonadoAngels
26Austin HedgesPadres
27Matt WietersNationals
28Kurt SuzukiBraves
29James McCannTigers
30Manny PinaBrewers
31Jason CastroTwins
32Christian VazquezRed Sox
33Francisco CervelliPirates

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.