Here, friend, are some catchers that I will be targeting at my 2018 fantasy drafts after the top options are gone. I’m not going to get into the strategy of punting catchers. Been there, half-drunkenly wrote that years ago. Click on the player’s name where applicable to read more and see their 2018 projections. This is a (legal-in-most-countries) supplement to the top 20 catchers of 2018 fantasy baseball. Now, guys and five girl readers, I am not saying avoid catchers like Salvador Perez if they fall, but to get on this list, you need to be drafted later than 200 overall, and, to preemptively answer at least seven comments, yes, I will go around the entire infield, outfield and pitchers to target very late. Anyway, here’s some catchers to target for 2018 fantasy baseball:
Mike Zunino (Yahoo 203; ESPN 221) Actually, think Zunino might be a little overrated if drafted at 203 overall. Since Zunino is someone I would draft eventually, and he is ranked after the top 200, I’ve listed him. I know, I know, not a great way to start things off, but I set some phony parameters, and, consarnit, if I’m not sticking with them!
Wilson Ramos (Yahoo 211; ESPN 231) Hey, it’s Tom Hanks’s favorite volleyball, Wilson! Fun fact! Hanks makes Rita Wilson spell out thanks as, “T. Hanks.” Ramos a la playa if contigo remaindo sin sicko. ¡Jugo beisbol! It’s so effortless it’s almost like I didn’t take Spanish for 13 years! And I’m using the word effortless wrong! What I was saying in Spanglish is Ramos is a solid play if he’s healthy.
Austin Barnes (Yahoo 284; ESPN 394) First off, I honestly don’t mind that ESPN only ranked 12 catchers in their top 300. You figure they’re ranking for one catcher leagues, and everyone gets one catcher, that’s 12. Fair enough. Sure, some jackhole will draft Gary Sanchez, use him at UTIL and draft another catcher, but whatevs. As for Barnes, ESPN ranked him way after Grandal, which, ya know, I’m kinda all right with too. Look at me, making peace. The Dodgers said Grandal is the starter, but, like an old man waking up at 4 AM, this could be a fluid situation. If Barnes wasn’t being drafted so late, I’d likely avoid him, but he’s worth the flyer. Why talk so highly of Grandal in Barnes’s blurb? Well, Barnes is more interesting of the two, if he’s off the board around 400 overall.
Chris Iannetta (Yahoo 274; ESPN 336) Here’s a surprising turkey (my new nom de schmo) who is getting no buzz. He had 17 homers with a .254 average in only 89 games last year. This year, he’s the Rockies catcher. Can’t fathom any downside. Not being sarcastic, I really can’t, considering he’s being drafted around that of your random middle reliever and 7th outfielder. By the by, just thought of a celebrity endorsement: Cosby turkeys, now with more tryptophan.
Travis d’Arnaud (Yahoo 300; ESPN 379) If he stays healthy all year, he will hit 20 homers. That ‘if’ is the size of the Grand Canyon from an ant’s perspective.
Tyler Flowers (Yahoo 339; ESPN 384) Below is Anime Grey talking about Tyler Flowers. I’m reminded of Billy Joel when thinking of Anime Grey, “He’s got a way about him, I don’t know what it is, but I have to laugh when he reveals it.” Anyway…
[brid video=”193982″ player=”10951″ title=”GarySanchez”]
Austin Hedges (Yahoo unranked; ESPN 338) There’s some promising numbers for Hedges. I can’t find them right now. Kidding. He hit .326 with a 15.3% strikeout rate in Triple-A in 2016. The year before, a 10.1% K-rate and a .324 average. He was a special kind of awful last year with a 29.3% K% and a .214 average, but for barely a top 350 overall pick? I’ll take the 18-22 HRs and possibility for a better average. Plus, if he hits a bunch of homers, you can count on a title here called, Over the Fences & Hedges, which would be Kool and lit.
Jorge Alfaro (Yahoo unranked; ESPN 411) I cannot believe more people aren’t picking up what I’m putting down for Alfaro. Go check out my Jorge Alfaro fantasy GIF. We’ll wait for you. Oh, man, that person just got lost in an ad for “Does Smoking Weed Make You More Creative?” It doesn’t, because it causes you to click on random links! Any hoo! If you would’ve returned, you’d be struck by how well Alfaro, uh, struck that ball. He has easy 17-homer power, with more on upside if he’s still developing, which I would assume of a 24-year-old.
