In a stadium seemingly filled with more features and attractions than fans, a season low 14,958 Miami faithful scattered around Marlins Park. September baseball had arrived yet October would once again host a postseason without the Miami Marlins; a team tiptoeing around promise.

J.T. Realmuto stepped up to the plate in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers, a home run to left two innings prior already in his stat line. Taylor Jungmann on the mound, the victim of Realmuto's first long ball. And, the pitch...

Realmuto sprinted around first as his shot to deep left center caromed off the top of the wall and rolled past Domingo Santana into center field. By the time Santana caught up to the baseball skipping across the stadium's vast real estate, Realmuto had already rounded third. Realmuto became the first catcher to hit both an inside-the-park and over-the-fence home run in the same game since Gary Carter in 1980, as he continued to solidify himself in the hopes of Marlins fans and the organization's future.

Editor's note: Be sure to check out our 2016 fantasy baseball rankings tool, which is already loaded up with lots of great articles. Aside from staff rankings and ADP analysis across all positions, we also dig into MLB prospect rankings, and dynasty/keeper rankings as well.

2015 In Review and 2016 Outlook

In 2015, Realmuto was called up in mid-April, and replaced the demoted Jarrod Saltalamachia sooner than expected. His glove, undoubtedly better than Saltalamachia's, Realmuto too struggled at the plate early in the season, batting only .239 in April and .200 in May. Although, shades of the speed displayed in that early September game began to reveal itself as he stole two bases in May; a noteworthy stat for a catcher.

June was the first month Realmuto really began to showcase his bat as well, hitting .316 in 76 at-bats. Although, his numbers began dipping again in July and August. His RBI production and stolen bases remained steady but Realmuto showed signs of fatigue at the plate, swinging at 50% of the pitches he saw, slowly adding to his strikeout total more and more. His first year in the bigs combined with his role of an everyday catcher appeared to be wearing him out. But that was until summer ended and fall ball began.

Over his final 85 games, Realmuto hit .283, clocked eight dingers, and put together a solid .756 OPS, aided by his .333 September and .375 October averages. There is plenty to look forward to regarding Realmuto, plenty to help believe that the 24 year old will continue maturing, that his fantasy value will continue to rise.

His 21 doubles in 2015 were tied for seventh most among catchers, most of which, the ones hit at home, would have left the yard in other ballparks. Marlins Park has been one of the biggest stadiums since 2012, restricting hitters like Realmuto. However, the outfield fences have been under renovation since last December and will be ready for Opening Day. In reducing the height and length of the fences, specifically the giant center field wall which will be moved in about 11 feet, Realmuto's home run total and .240 home batting average from 2015 should see a boost. Last season, 19.1% of Realmuto's contact went to center; the highest percentage to any part of the field.

His seven triples led all catchers in the MLB, as he showcased his uncanny speed all season. He tallied eight stolen bases, while there is reason to believe that total can increase in 2016 as well. Once a shortstop in high school, Realmuto stole a ton of bases during his time in the minor leagues. Now, with veteran catcher Jeff Mathis set to back him up for an entire season, Realmuto's legs should stay fresh. Working with the the knowledgable tandem of manager, Don Mattingly, and hitting coach, Barry Bonds, will help shed some light on the hitting woes that often plagued his at-bats last season. After a year of experience working with a shaky and consistently injured pitching staff, a healthy rotation, with the addition of Wei-Yin Chen, will alleviate some of the pressure of calling a game. Oh, and a returning Giancarlo Stanton, healthy, can only provide even more protection for the improving Marlins lineup.

Conclusion

Parts of Realmuto's game mimic that of Jonathan Lucroy, stamping a pretty secure label of sleeper on the second year catcher. Our rankings have him 18th among catchers, but his rare combination of speed and power out of the catcher position should give him a look in middle to late rounds of deeper mixed leagues.

The catcher position is easily one of the most difficult to receive consistency from. It's often worth the gamble as there tends to be a revolving door of fantasy-productive catchers throughout the season. Realmuto's ceiling is pretty high, and he can provide what most catchers cannot to a stat line: variety.

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