X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Top 10 Dynasty Catchers For 2016

Lets face it, very few catchers are capable of the elite offensive production to be considered legit dynasty league keepsakes. Owning the cream of the crop catcher can provide a nice boost at fantasy baseball’s scarcest position, but it’s not necessary to win your league.

A popular strategy for many fantasy baseball enthusiasts is to punt catcher altogether. This strategy worked well for me last season when I was able to draft Russell Martin in the 22nd round of a 12 team keeper league. After noting all teams had drafted starting catchers, I was able to wait on the remaining catchers a few additional rounds and really find value. Luck like this can't be guaranteed, but this year I will again take my chances and see what falls to me late in the draft.

In an ideal world, we could add a defensive stat like pitch framing, blocking or stolen base prevention to increase the value of a catcher. Maybe treat the catching position like goaltending in hockey with its own set of stats. A catcher has more defensive responsibility than any other batter, has to study and understand the habits of all batters and pitchers as well as stay in a squat for 9 innings per game while all other batters sit on the pine for half the game. A catcher deserves more respect than relegated to puntable fantasy position, but I digress.

 

Top 10 Dynasty Catchers For 2016

Make sure to also check out our awesome 2016 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard, where you will find more of my dynasty rankings. You'll also find RotoBaller staff rankings for all positions, tiered rankings starting to ramp up, MLB prospect rankings for 2016, and much more. Okay, let's get to it.

1. Kyle Schwarber

The Indiana Hoosier was the Cubs first round pick in 2014 at fourth overall. He is projected to hit 25 HR and 75 RBI in his sophomore season. He was able to smash 16 HR in only 69 games in 2015 and is tops among catchers with a 39.7 percent hard contact percentage. Schwarbs had comparable production to other top tier catchers in only half the at bats in 2015. It will be interesting to see if he can continue to produce at such a high level for a full season. Schwarber also has OF eligibility, so add to the reasons he is the top catcher to own in 2016.

 

2. Buster Posey

I can easily make a case for Gerald Dempsey Posey III being Major League Baseball’s MVP for each of the last four seasons, not just when he won in 2012. In terms of a complete player, he can do it all. He is defensively and offensively elite. He led all catchers in 2015 with 9 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved). He also led all catchers with 95 RBI and a .318 Batting Average.  The Florida State Seminole will turn 29 this season.

 

3. Blake Swihart

The Boston Red Sox untouchable prospect, Swihart enters the 2016 season as Boston’s catcher of the present and future. Swihart's name sounds more like a teen pop star than a Boston dirt dog, but whatever. The switch hitter was forced into action when Boston lost both Christian Vasquez and then Ryan Hanigan to injuries. Batting .274 with 47 runs in 84 games last year shows the potential Swihart has at the plate. Boston is known to over-hype their prospects, but B-hart is for real. I'm buying.

 

4. Devin Mesoraco

After breaking out in 2014 with 25 home run, 54 runs, and 80 RBI while batting .273, he followed it up with a .171 average in 23 games before he elected for surgery on his hip. Known as the “Groundhog,” Mesoraco is on track to open spring training healthy. He is 27 years old and should be considered a strong bounceback candidate.

 

5. Salvador Perez 

El Nino is a three time All Star and three time Gold Glove winner. He was also the MVP of the World Series. The right hander is basically a lock for around 20 home runs, 50 runs, and 70 RBI while batting .260-.290. Perez is also a workhorse. Only Derek Norris (147) and Posey (150) played in more games last season.

 

6. Travis d’Arnaud 

D'Arnaud is the second piece of the Noah Syndergaard for R.A. Dickey deal that sent both highly rated prospects to the Mets. Syndergaard is an ace in the making and d’Arnaud has more upside than anyone on this list besides Swihart. d’Arnaud will be sharing catching duties with Kevin Plawecki, Regardless, d’Arnaud should be considered a top 10 option behind the plate in 2016.

 

7. J.T. Realmuto 

Realmuto converted from SS to C in 2013. A superb athlete and smart player, he has adapted to the position and was productive in his rookie season with a .298 wOBA and 47 RBI in 126 games for the Marlins. Beating out Jarrod Saltalamacchia for the starting catcher role, Realmuto was a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners last year. Early 2016 projections are bullish on Realmuto with double digit potential in both HR and SB.

 

8. Jonathan Lucroy

After breaking out offensively in 2013, Lucroy is projected by STEAMER for 15 HR and 50 RBI while batting .270. For what it is worth, Lucroy has batted over .300 in both 2012 and 2014 and .280 in 2013. I consider Lucroy a safe bet to hit closer to .300 and be among the top six catchers in 2016. Entering his age 29 season, he has marginal long term value.  

 

9. Matt Wieters

We are still waiting for Wieters to live up to his prospect hype. After all the injuries, you have to wonder if he can even regain his 2013 form. At 29 years old, will this be Wieters’ season? Can he hit over 21 HR’s again? Steamer projects Wieters to hit 14 home runs, 46 runs, and 50 RBI. As such, he's probably not a safe bet for a keeper, but he has potential.

 

10. Brian McCann

McCann had his best season in almost a decade for the Yankees in 2015. Plan for some regression, but if you are planning on keeping him, he should be a potential top seven catcher for the 2016. Then again, if you plan on keeping McCann, maybe just blow it up and start all over.  

 

MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Austin Reaves20 mins ago

Ready To Go For Game 1
NFL22 mins ago

Bills Release Armani Rogers, Branson Deen
Luka Dončić26 mins ago

Luka Doncic Removed From Injury Report
Brandon Young30 mins ago

Set To Make MLB Debut On Saturday
LeBron James34 mins ago

Listed As Probable For Game 1
Ben Sheppard40 mins ago

Probable For Saturday's Game 1
Jacob Lopez41 mins ago

Recalled From Triple-A
NFL43 mins ago

Kolton Miller Absent From Raiders' Voluntary Offseason Program
Kevin Durant46 mins ago

To Houston Already Losing Steam
Matt Canterino58 mins ago

Twins Designate Matt Canterino For Assignment
Lauri Markkanen60 mins ago

Wants To Stay With The Jazz
NFL1 hour ago

Ross Blacklock Let Go By New York
Mickey Gasper1 hour ago

Sent To Triple-A St. Paul
Bennedict Mathurin1 hour ago

Expected To Play In Game 1 Saturday
Nicky Lopez1 hour ago

Designated For Assignment
Josh Smith1 hour ago

Still Out Of Lineup Friday Night
Pascal Siakam1 hour ago

Available For Playoff Opener
Zach Neto1 hour ago

Reinstated From Injury List, Will Make Season Debut Friday
Tyrese Haliburton1 hour ago

Returning From Two-Game Absence Saturday
Cade Cunningham2 hours ago

Available For Game 1 Against Knicks
Shohei Ohtani2 hours ago

Out Of Friday's Lineup For Birth Of First Child
Josh Hart2 hours ago

Back In Knicks Lineup Saturday
Eugenio Suárez2 hours ago

Eugenio Suarez Hits Grand Slam In Friday Afternoon's Loss
OG Anunoby2 hours ago

Good To Go For Game 1
Ian Happ2 hours ago

Hits Grand Slam In Massive Day At The Plate
Jalen Brunson2 hours ago

Available For Saturday's Game 1
Jazz Chisholm Jr.2 hours ago

Suspended For One Game, Will Appeal And Is Playing Friday
Karl-Anthony Towns2 hours ago

Returning To Action Saturday
Kyle Tucker2 hours ago

Hits Go-Ahead Homer In Cubs Win
Pelle Larsson2 hours ago

Good To Go Friday
Nikola Jović2 hours ago

Nikola Jovic Available Friday
Carson Kelly2 hours ago

Crushes Two Homers In Crazy Cubs Win
Trae Young2 hours ago

Officially Active On Friday
Giannis Antetokounmpo2 hours ago

Not On Game 1 Injury Report
NFL2 hours ago

Raiders Considering Drafting A Quarterback
Damian Lillard3 hours ago

Officially Out For Game 1
Irv Smith3 hours ago

Sticking With Texans
Ryan Lindgren3 hours ago

Set To Return Saturday
NFL3 hours ago

Texans Expected To Draft Wide Receivers
Greg Dortch3 hours ago

Returning To Cardinals
Josh Manson3 hours ago

Available For Game 1
Mark Andrews3 hours ago

Could Be Traded Soon
Ondrej Palat3 hours ago

To Return For Start Of Playoffs
David Savard3 hours ago

Will Retire After Playoffs
Gavin Sheets3 hours ago

In Padres Lineup Against Astros
NFL3 hours ago

Raiders, Falcons Could Have Interest In Jalen Ramsey
Robert Thomas3 hours ago

Good To Go Saturday
Shea Langeliers4 hours ago

Back In Lineup On Friday
Matthew Tkachuk4 hours ago

Expected To Return For Game 1
4 hours ago

Raiders Are High On Ashton Jeanty
Alex Verdugo4 hours ago

Hitting Leadoff In Season Debut On Friday
Jason Robertson4 hours ago

Considered Week-To-Week
Rome Odunze4 hours ago

To Hopefully Get More Involved
Dylan Moore4 hours ago

Not In Lineup On Friday
NFL4 hours ago

Dolphins Could Draft A Quarterback
Parker Meadows4 hours ago

Cleared To Begin Throwing Program
James Cook4 hours ago

Could Stay Away From Voluntary Workouts
Chandler Simpson4 hours ago

Called Up By Rays
Alex Bregman5 hours ago

Back From Paternity Leave
Noah Davis6 hours ago

Dodgers Recall Noah Davis From Triple-A
Pelle Larsson8 hours ago

Upgraded To Probable Against Hawks
Kevin Love9 hours ago

Away From The Team For Personal Reasons
Leon Draisaitl11 hours ago

Wins First Rocket Richard Trophy
Nikita Kucherov12 hours ago

Bags Third Art Ross Trophy
Bryan Rust12 hours ago

Scores Twice In Season-Ending Win
Igor Shesterkin12 hours ago

Shuts Out Lightning With 27 Saves
Dylan Cozens12 hours ago

Picks Up Three Points In Regular-Season Finale
Matvei Michkov12 hours ago

Caps Off Rookie Campaign With Three-Point Effort
Brady Tkachuk12 hours ago

Makes Early Exit For Precautionary Reasons
Jake Tonges20 hours ago

Signs Exclusive-Rights Tender
Denver Broncos20 hours ago

Broncos To Focus On RB Position In Next Week's Draft
Drew Lock21 hours ago

Sam Howell, Drew Lock Expected To Compete For Backup Job
New York Giants21 hours ago

Giants Leaning Toward Taking Best Player Available At No. 3
New Orleans Saints21 hours ago

Ryan Ramczyk Announces His Retirement
Buffalo Bills21 hours ago

Tre'Davious White Reunites With Buffalo
Aaron Rodgers21 hours ago

Willing To Play For $10 Million A Year
Jakob Chychrun1 day ago

Returns Against Penguins
Rasmus Andersson1 day ago

Out Against Kings
Jonathan Huberdeau1 day ago

Sits Out Regular-Season Finale
Ryan Pulock1 day ago

Out On Thursday
Jake Sanderson1 day ago

Back In Action Thursday
Thomas Chabot1 day ago

To Be Rested Against Hurricanes
Claude Giroux1 day ago

Active On Thursday
Dallas Cowboys1 day ago

Cowboys Add Hakeem Adeniji To Offensive-Line Room
Lucas Glover2 days ago

Looks To Rebound After Poor Performance
Daniel Berger2 days ago

Looking To Continue Solid Play At RBC
Sepp Straka2 days ago

Looking To Bounce Back At RBC
Justin Thomas2 days ago

Looking To Shake Off Poor Masters At RBC Heritage
Xander Schauffele2 days ago

Still Looking For Year's First Win At RBC Heritage
Maverick McNealy2 days ago

Is An Intriguing Play At RBC Heritage
Shane Lowry2 days ago

Looks To Shake Off Poor Masters Sunday At RBC Heritage
Will Zalatoris2 days ago

Eyes A Bounce-Back At RBC Heritage
Gary Woodland2 days ago

Could Add Some Surprise At Hilton Head
Sam Burns2 days ago

Hoping For Better Times At RBC Heritage
Sahith Theegala3 days ago

Still Trying To Put It All Together
Aaron Rai3 days ago

Might Be That Guy For Hilton Head
Robert MacIntyre3 days ago

All Or Nothing At RBC Heritage
Tom Hoge3 days ago

Still Playing Solid Heading To Hilton Head
Nick Dunlap3 days ago

Continues To Have Rough Stretch
Keegan Bradley3 days ago

Looks To Move On From Masters Performance
Matt Fitzpatrick3 days ago

A Boom-Or-Bust Option At RBC Heritage
Patrick Cantlay3 days ago

A Strong Play At RBC Heritage
Jordan Spieth3 days ago

Targets Another Strong RBC Heritage Showing
Collin Morikawa3 days ago

Eyeing Victory At RBC Heritage
Max Homa3 days ago

Breaks Through At The Masters
Alexander Volkanovski4 days ago

Reclaims Featherweight Title
Diego Lopes4 days ago

Drops Decision At UFC 314
Paddy Pimblett4 days ago

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Michael Chandler4 days ago

Suffers TKO Loss
MMA4 days ago

Patricio Freire Gets Dominated In His UFC Debut
Yair Rodriguez4 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Bryce Mitchell4 days ago

Gets Submitted At UFC 314
Jean Silva4 days ago

Gets Submission Win At UFC 314
Dominick Reyes4 days ago

Wins Third Fight In A Row
Austin Dillon4 days ago

Nabs His First Top-10 Finish Of The 2025 Season At Bristol
Ryan Blaney4 days ago

Bold Strategies Fall Flat, Still Musters A Top-Five Finish At Bristol
Christopher Bell4 days ago

Finishes In The Top 10 After Falling Back Midway At Bristol
Ty Gibbs4 days ago

Earns His First Top-Five Finish Of The 2025 Season At Bristol
Chase Briscoe4 days ago

Quietly Scores First Career Top-Five Finish At Bristol
William Byron5 days ago

Denny Hamlin Cuts Into William Byron's Points Lead
William Byron5 days ago

Makes Best Of His Mediocre Qualifying Run With Sixth-Place Finish
Alex Bowman5 days ago

Despite Engine Failure, Alex Bowman's Improved Speed Looks Promising
NASCAR5 days ago

A.J. Allmendinger Enters Playoff Picture With Surprise Bristol Top-10 Finish
Kyle Larson6 days ago

Will Compete For The Win At Bristol
Chase Elliott6 days ago

Is One Of The More Favorable DFS Options Available For Bristol
William Byron6 days ago

Is A Solid DFS Option For Bristol Lineups
Tyler Reddick6 days ago

Could Tyler Reddick Be A Sneaky DFS Option For Bristol?
NASCAR6 days ago

Is Bubba Wallace Worth Rostering For Bristol This Week?
Ross Chastain6 days ago

Could Ross Chastain Be A Worthy DFS Choice For Bristol?
Carson Hocevar6 days ago

Is Carson Hocevar Worth Rostering For Bristol DFS Lineups?
NASCAR6 days ago

Should Fantasy Managers Avoid Rostering A.J. Allmendinger In DFS For Bristol?
Ryan Preece6 days ago

Is Ryan Preece Worth Rostering For Bristol Lineups?
Austin Dillon6 days ago

May Be One Of The Top Value Options For Bristol DFS This Week
Noah Gragson6 days ago

Should DFS Players Consider Noah Gragson For Bristol Lineups?
Riley Herbst6 days ago

Is In Play For Bristol DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF