Fantasy
Baseball Player Rankings & Projections
2008 Catcher Preseason Preview
Víctor Martínez
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There are a good number of
young stud-like fantasy catchers coming into the
'08 season, but Martinez is still #1. |
1. Víctor Martínez - Indians
- 2008 Preview:
He has been a consistent fantasy stud for 4 consecutive
years averaging about 20 home runs, 100 RBI's and a .300
over those years. There is not any reason why he won't continue.
Only Russell Martin and Joe Mauer have the talent to finish
above him, but Martínez has proven himself and is
the clear #1 catcher in fantasy baseball going into the
2008 season.
2007 Statistics:
.301 - 25 HR's - 114 RBI's - 78 Runs.
2008 Projection:
.308 - 23 HR's - 107 RBI's - 80 Runs.
2. Russell Martin - Dodgers - 2008 Preview:
After a very solid rookie year that included 10 home runs
and 10 stolen bases, Martin turned it up and became a fantasy
stud catcher in 2007. He is a welcome addition to the constant
weak catcher position. In 2007 he finished with 19 home
runs, 3 triples, 32 doubles, 21 stolen bases while only
striking out 89 times. At 25, Martin can be a stud for years
to come.
2007 Statistics:
.293 - 19 HR's - 87 RBI's - 87 Runs.
2008 Projection:
.290 - 20 HR's - 90 RBI's - 88 Runs.
3. Joe Mauer - Twins - 2008 Preview:
His stats took a significant hit in 2007 seeing his average
drop from .347 to .293. Injuries played a role, but expecting
a .343 average again was wishful thinking. Mauer is young
and athletics and can put up good inside numbers. In 2006
he had 36 doubles, 4 triples, 13 stolen bases and had an
amazing 79 - 54 walk-to-strikeout ratio. In 2007 with just
428 at bats he hit 7 home runs, 3 triples, 27 doubles, 7
stolen bases and 57 - 51 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Like Martin,
at age 25 he has potential to improve and can be a stud
for years to come.
2007 Statistics:
.293 - 7 HR's - 60 RBI's - 62 Runs.
2008 Projection: .312
- 12 HR's - 82 RBI's - 84 Runs.
4. (Tie) Jorge Posada - Yankees - 2008
Preview:
Yes, he was the best fantasy catcher in 2007. But his 2007
batting average was an arbitration, not a sign of things
to come. Maybe it was because it was a contract year. The
bottom line is Posada is a .277 lifetime hitter, so don't
expect anything near .338 in 2008. With that said, he is
a consistent 20 home run, 30 double 85 RBI catcher hitting
in the middle of a great line-up.
2007 Statistics:
.338 - 20 HR's - 90 RBI's - 91 Runs.
2008 Projection:
.298 - 19 HR's - 86 RBI's - 84 Runs.
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4. (Tie) Brian McCann - Braves - 2008 Preview:
He broke out in 2006 with a stud-like 24 home runs and a
.333 average with just 442 at bats. In 2007 McCann came
back down to Earth, but still had a very good fantasy season
for a catcher putting up a 18 home runs and 38 doubles.
At 24, he is yet another young catcher that strengthens
the fantasy catcher position. If you prefer youth over consistency,
take McCann over Posada.
2007 Statistics:
.270 - 18 HR's - 82 RBI's - 51 Runs.
2008 Projection:
.294 - 20 HR's - 90 RBI's - 62 Runs.
5. Bengie Molina - Giants - 2008 Preview:
A very underrated fantasy catcher who consistently puts
up numbers just below that of Jorge Posada. Over the last
three season, with three different teams, Molina has averaged
about a .280 average, 18 home runs and 70 RBI's.
2007 Statistics:
.276 - 19 HR's - 81 RBI's - 38 Runs.
2008 Projection:
.282- 18 HR's - 80 RBI's - 40 Runs.
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia - Rangers - 2008
Preview:
He has been named the starting catcher in the off-season
after playing first base and catcher most of the time late
in the '07 season for the Rangers after being acquired from
the Braves. He hit 11 home runs with his 308 at bats as
a rookie and will just been turning 23 in mid-season. He
will be one to watch in Spring Training and he makes a great
sleeper pick.
2007 Statistics:
.266 - 11 HR's - 33 RBI's - 39 Runs.
2008 Projection:
.272 - 21 HR's - 79 RBI's - 70 Runs.
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