| AMERICAN LEAGUE |
| Catcher |
TM |
$$ |
|
Notes |
| Victor
Martinez |
CLE |
24 |
|
In prime of his career -
will maintain his level of production |
| Joe
Mauer |
MIN |
21 |
|
Already proven what he's
capable of |
| Jorge
Posada |
NYA |
17 |
|
Outstanding 2007 campaign
but unlikely to repeat |
| Kenji
Johjima |
SEA |
14 |
|
Good bet to continue
delivering solid triple crown numbers |
| Jarrod
Saltalamacchia |
TEX |
12 |
|
One of the game's top young
catchers. Could top 20 HR's |
| Mike
Napoli |
LAA |
10 |
|
Had .794 OPS in 2007 -
potential for a big season |
| Jason
Varitek |
BOS |
8 |
|
Has enough left for one
more productive season |
| Ivan
Rodriguez |
DET |
7 |
|
Remains capable of hitting
for a solid average and good RBI numbers |
| A.J.
Pierzynski |
CHA |
5 |
|
Mid-to-late draft pick with
solid Average, HR and RBI |
| Ramon
Hernandez |
BAL |
4 |
|
Could turn in a rebound
campaign |
| John
Buck |
KCA |
4 |
|
Career on an upswing - will
be the starter |
| Dioner
Navarro |
TB |
2 |
|
Sleeper candidate - good
bang for your buck |
| Kurt
Suzuki |
OAK |
1 |
|
Will start - late round
selection |
| Gregg
Zaun |
TOR |
1 |
|
Some pop but at-bats will
be limited |
| Gerald
Laird |
TEX |
1 |
|
If Salty fails Laird will
get production |
| Miguel
Olivo |
KCA |
1 |
|
Backup to Buck |
| Rod
Barajas |
TOR |
1 |
|
Will share time with Zaun |
| Jeff
Mathis |
LAA |
1 |
|
Not much to write home
about |
| Mike
Redmond |
MIN |
1 |
|
With Mauer there won't be
much playing time for Mike |
| Kelly
Shoppach |
CLE |
1 |
|
A few numbers unless
Martinez goes on the D.L. |
| |
|
|
|
|
| NATIONAL LEAGUE |
| Catcher |
TM |
$$ |
|
Notes |
| Russell
Martin |
LA |
24 |
|
Five category production -
In 2007 led all catchers in Avg, Slg, HR, SB |
| Brian
McCann |
ATL |
18 |
|
Combines power with good
contact. Expect 20+ HR's & near .300 Avg |
| Geovany
Soto |
CHN |
7 |
|
Capable of solid Average
and double-digit homers |
| J.R.
Towles |
HOU |
6 |
|
Decent average,
double-digit homers and even stealing a few bases |
| Bengie
Molina |
SF |
5 |
|
19 HR's in 2007 but a sub
.300 OBP |
| Carlos
Ruiz |
PHI |
2 |
|
A mild sleeper candidate |
| Chris
Iannetta |
COL |
2 |
|
Expect him to take over
full-time catching duties by the All-Star break |
| Ronny
Paulino |
PIT |
2 |
|
Difficult time matching his
2006 average |
| Josh
Bard |
SD |
2 |
|
Not much power but could
hit .300 plus |
| Ryan
Doumit |
PIT |
2 |
|
Backup to Paulino but has
good OPS in limited action |
| David
Ross |
CIN |
1 |
|
Pass on him unless you're
desperate for HR's |
| Chris
Snyder |
ARI |
1 |
|
Can go on hot streaks |
| Miguel
Montero |
ARI |
1 |
|
Could replace Snyder as the
starter |
| Paul
Lo Duca |
WAS |
1 |
|
Unlikely to provide more
than moderate help |
| Brian
Schneider |
NYM |
1 |
|
Not much offense other than
solid RBI output |
| Michael
Barrett |
SD |
1 |
|
Look elsewhere for a
catcher |
| Johnny
Estrada |
WAS |
1 |
|
Backup to Lo Duca - lots of
playing time in Spring while Lo Duca heals |
| Yadier
Molina |
STL |
1 |
|
Good average but low power |
| Jason
Kendall |
MIL |
1 |
|
Good average but NO power |
| Yorvit
Torrealba |
COL |
1 |
|
Crowded in the Colorado
bench |
| Mike
Rabelo |
FLA |
1 |
|
Only woth a dollar |
| Ramon
Castro |
NYM |
1 |
|
Another dollar guy |
| Chris
Coste |
COL |
1 |
|
Crowded in the Colorado
bench |
| Javier
Valentin |
CIN |
1 |
|
Decent average |
| Javy
Lopez |
ATL |
1 |
|
Not a come back kid |
| Brad
Ausmus |
HOU |
1 |
|
Will still produce a few
numbers |
|
|
|
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