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Catcher can be a challenging position for fantasy baseball for several reasons, but one creative solution to consider is going with a top prospect. Young players can be more volatile, but they can also provide huge value if you can find the right player in the right spot.
Overall, the position has a few elite options, some other solid starters, and then a lot of options that come with risk factors. Some of those risk factors are intrinsic to the position, since by nature of their defensive work, catchers are more prone to injury and typically need more off days to avoid wearing down.
As the season progresses, teams often shift their plan or platoon behind the plate, so fantasy teams should also remain as fluid as possible and look to grab opportunities when available. Depending on your league, you may be able to stash some of these prospects in bench spots, or just be ready to pounce when they get called up from the minors. Coming into the season, these are the top five fantasy baseball prospects who have a chance to make a fantasy baseball impact in 2025. Be sure to also check out our 2025 fantasy baseball prospect rankings (redraft leagues) and longer-term fantasy baseball dynasty prospect rankings.
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Drake Baldwin, C, Atlanta Braves
Baldwin was already a name to watch closely in 2025 before Sean Murphy suffered a cracked rib that will keep him on the injured list to open the season. While the Braves haven't ruled out bringing in a veteran to help bridge the gap, Baldwin has made a strong case to start the season with the MLB team this spring training.
He has done a good job handling the pitching staff and has continued to produce at the plate. In his first 10 games, he went 7-for-19 (.368) with a pair of doubles, six walks, and a .459 wOBA. That's a very small sample size, but it shows his strong plate approach, which has him ready for the next level.
Last year, in 124 games split between Double-A and Triple-A, Baldwin hit .276 with 16 home runs, 19 doubles, and a 362 wOBA. He posted better numbers at Triple-A than Double-A and finished the year on an impressive hot streak.
Drake Baldwin was the ONLY minor League catcher in 2024 to have:
BB% >13%
K <20%
wRC+ >110
ISO >.140
Games Played > 100The kid can MASH🔥
— Ben Weaver (@weaver_cards) January 23, 2025
Baldwin has a strong hit tool and could quickly earn his way into at least a timeshare with Murphy once the veteran returns. Murphy only hit .193 last year in 72 games with a .281 wOBA. If Baldwin gets the job and continues to show he's ready, he may stay involved enough to be a very strong starter at catcher whose average won't hurt you and whose counting stats could be key if he can establish himself as part of a strong Braves lineup.
Agustin Ramirez, C, Miami Marlins
Ramirez ranks very highly on my list of catchers to watch this season not only because he has impressive tools, but also because he has an easy path to playing time for the Marlins.
Miami acquired Ramirez in the Jazz Chisholm Jr. trade last season and starts this season with just Nick Fortes and Liam Hicks with Ramirez on the 40-man roster behind the plate. Fortes and Hicks could hold down the starting spot to begin the season, but it seems only a matter of time before Ramirez makes his MLB debut.
He could open the season with the team since he has put together a strong start to spring training. He went 3-for-16 (.188) in his first eight games this spring, but two of those hits were notable. One was a long home run, and the other was a smashed single with an exit velocity of 115.1 mph.
Random Players Doing Cool Stuff
Agustín Ramírez is a power-hitting catcher that was traded from the Yankees to the Marlins for Jazz Chisholm
He smacked this single 115.1 MPH yesterday
The only catchers to hit a ball harder last season were William and Willson Contreras pic.twitter.com/H9heGlRqKK
— James Schiano (@James_Schiano) February 27, 2025
Ramirez hit .267 in Double-A and Triple-A last year with 25 home runs, a .378 wOBA, a .221 ISO, and an impressive 22 stolen bases in 24 attempts. His bat and speed could be an asset at the catcher spot, but the Marlins have also talked about potentially moving him to other positions.
If he makes the Opening Day roster, Ramirez could easily be a top-10 catcher out of the gate since he brings both power and speed potential. The Fish may start him in Triple-A since he didn't play a full season at that level last year, but whenever he arrives, he'll be one of the best rookie catchers and one of the most usable Marlins for fantasy baseball at any position.
Samuel Basallo, C, Baltimore Orioles
Basallo is probably a better overall prospect than Ramirez and Baldwin, but unlike Ramirez, he has no clear path to playing time at all for the Orioles, who are already overstocked with young hitters. Adley Rutschman is locked in as the Orioles catcher, and since Basallo is only 20 years old, the O's will likely let him develop in Triple-A.
Last year, Basallo started the year in Double-A before playing the last 26 games of the minor league season in Triple-A. Combined, he hit 19 home runs with a .278 batting average, .171 ISO, and .346 wOBA. This spring training, he has impressed with a pair of tape-measure home runs in his first 19 at-bats.
The top catching prospect in all of baseball, Samuel Basallo, hit a ball over the entire scoreboard 😳 pic.twitter.com/xBfkMnHHt1
— Farm To Fame (@FarmToFame_) February 28, 2025
His raw power is unquestioned, and his bat looks ready to arrive at the MLB level. There just isn't room for him right now on the roster, and he'll probably at least start the year at Norfolk. If and when he gets an opportunity, he'll be a great addition to your fantasy team, but until he has a clearer path, he remains more of a "watch and wait" prospect than a draft stash.
Dalton Rushing, Los Angeles Dodgers
Rushing has a similar problem to Basallo with an All-Star catcher on the MLB roster and a lineup fully stocked with full-time MLB bats. Last year, the Dodgers started trying Rushing at different positions to potentially get him playing time at the MLB level. He could end up splitting time as backup catcher and corner outfielder by midseason depending on how he progresses and the needs of the MLB team.
Dalton Rushing delivers a walk-off two-run double. #SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/9fwWjmAyLA
— MLB (@MLB) March 1, 2025
Before heading to Tokyo, though, the team reassigned Rushing to minor league camp, so he'll most likely start the season at Triple-A.
Last year, Rushing was the team's 2024 Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .271 in 114 games in Double-A and Triple-A. He hit 26 home runs with a .240 ISO and .401 wOBA, showing huge power potential.
The Dodgers open the season with plenty of veterans already competing for playing time in the corner outfield spots. Rushing could be traded to fill other roster needs or join that mix if someone gets hurt or struggles. Once he gets to the majors, being on the Dodgers will boost his value, but like Basallo, his lack of obvious opportunity could curb his fantasy value, especially early in the season.
Kyle Teel, C, Chicago White Sox
Teel changed his Sox this offseason, as the main piece headed back to Chicago in the deal that brought Garrett Crochet to Boston. The new White Sox prospect has had a good spring training and is pushing for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
I know it’s obvious, but Kyle Teel should be in serious contention for a opening day roster spot
Teel is hitting .333 with 2 homers and 6 RBI so far in ST (15 ABs)
He looks very comfortable at the plate and defensively as well
— Justin (@SoxSideJustin) March 12, 2025
Teel hasn't had quite as much success in the minors as Basallo or Rushing, but the fact that the White Sox don't have much in front of him could lead to him getting significant playing time early in the season.
Teel spent most of last season in Double-A, where he hit .298 with 11 homers and a .388 wOBA for the Portland Sea Dogs. He played his final 28 games in Triple-A, but only hit .255 with two homers and a .339 wOBA in Worcester. After posting a 145 wRC+ in Double-A, he had just a 97 wRC+ in Triple-A. He could use a little more seasoning, but the White Sox may just let him learn on the job after his strong spring.
This offseason, the White Sox did add 29-year-old Matt Thaiss to pair with Korey Lee as a solid tandem behind the plate. They'll probably keep the position warm until Teel is ready. Teel's fellow prospect Edgar Quero is also having a big spring, though, so the White Sox suddenly have several options. While Teel's short-term ceiling isn't as high as the rest of the options on this list, he's a top prospect to watch at catcher this season.
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