Here, friend, are some catchers that I will be targeting at my 2024 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 during the Ottoman Empire. Click on the player’s name where applicable to read more and see their 2024 projections and blurbs I wrote for them. This is a (legal-in-most-countries) supplement to the top 20 catchers of 2024 fantasy baseball. (Yes, I will go over each position.) Now, guys and five girl readers, I am not saying avoid catchers like Yainer Diaz if they fall, but, to get on this list, a catcher needs to be drafted after 200 overall, and, yes, I will go around the entire infield, outfield and pitchers to target very late. In regards to the ADP in the parenthesis, NFBC is for two catcher leagues, so that should be taken into account. Anyway, here’s some catchers to target for 2024 fantasy baseball:
Tyler Stephenson (NFBC 224, ESPN unranked, Yahoo 334) If he reaches his projections of 61/16/67/.284/1 in 443 ABs, he will be a top five catcher–Wait a second, those are last season’s projections. Good try, Slick! There’s no way a guy who is [looks up age] He’s only 27? Wow, are we sure we should be writing off a 27-year-old who everyone liked last year? Before last year, he was a career .296 hitter. Don’t let that fall on deaf ears because I actually went to one of those online batting average calculators and entered his stats. .296 career average in 533 at-bats! Yes, last year happened, but, once again, I’m asking you to see that he’s only 27. He’s only a career .274 hitter! Okay, done on this Stephenson thing.
Luis Campusano (ESPN 294, Yahoo 233) San Luis Campusano plans to have his annual returns of the swallows, when you gulp and look at his projections and remember people are excited for him. Oops, I forgot, this is supposed to be guys I like and for a reason. So, yes, Campusano is interesting even if his projections at 61/16/67/.284/1 in 443 ABs–Stop it! That’s last year’s Stephenson! Though, Campusano’s 2024 projections look surprisingly similar. The good thing with Campusano, as I believe I mentioned on the catchers podcast, the lack of guys in the Padres’ lineup actually is good for Campusano, because he could hit in a good place in the order.
Elias Diaz (NFBC 244, ESPN unranked, Yahoo 292) Admittedly, not the most fun guy to draft, but he was the 12th best catcher last year on the Player Rater, and that’s draftable in every league. Instead, he’s kinda barely being drafted anywhere.
Bo Naylor (ESPN 255, Yahoo 252) Bo knows this, Bo knows that, Bo don’t know jack, because Bo can’t Naylor. Kinda surprised there’s been so little made of Naylor — man’s honor, I suppose, don’t gossip! — because he was a highly touted prospect, came up last year and hit well in limited time, and nobody is making a peep about Bo.
Yan Gomes – (ESPN unranked, Yahoo unranked, NFBC 393) So, I had to give you one crazy boring one that is super late for deep leagues. Miguel Amaya is the more interesting Cubs’ catcher, but teams drag their feet making prospects their number one catcher, and Gomes was the 16th best catcher last year. He’s currently around the 30th catcher off the board.
Mitch Garver (Yahoo 244) I’m not much of a Mitch Garver truther. Not a Much Truver, so to speak. I think Mr. Prorater is tripping over his twig and berries when he sees what Garver prorates to in a full season, and is missing the forest for the trees. Garver might prorate to 40 homers if he gets 500 ABs, and could play DH, but there’s a reason why he’s never done that before, and 33 years old. Mitch, don’t kill my vibe, if the draft price is late enough, but don’t galaxy brain yourself into thinking he’s going to play 150 games. Or even 110.
Logan O’Hoppe (ESPN 248, Yahoo 204) Did I save the best for last? Bashfully, placing hand under chin and batting eyes, “Who me?” Yes! That’s exactly what I did! Logan O’Hoppe is the reason to be excited about the Angels. The only reason. Unless you have a weird side bet going on that Aaron Hicks retires by July and they still don’t play Jo Adell. Then that’s worth clocking in on. Otherwise, O’Hoppe or O’bust. That’s what my bumper sticker says as I drive through Anaheim. O’Hoppe’s shown 20+ homer power and, coming up through the minors, it was believed he’d be a .270+ hitter. That’s essentially number one catcher-type numbers. Are you depressed? Aw, don’t worry, get O’Hoppe-y!
Kyle Harrison… you’re on to something!
Entering my pre-draft rankings and I just have to say… I have NEVER rostered Fairbanks and thought “so glad I have him instead of Evan Phillips!” :)
Is the teir list anywhere or are we all still waiting for it? Love everything you do! Yes, even that!
On that $21 Castillo trade, which side do you like on these below?
A. My $21 L Castillo for his $27 Alonso
B. My Castillo and [$26 Yordan or $30 tatis] for his $25 Harper and [27 Alonso or $5 elly cruz]
This is obp ops so Harper def get a bump up
A. Fine if you need a bat and not an arm B. Meh
Thanks!
No problem
Hey there Grey,
12 team mixed keeper league with OBP/SLG/OPS (plus cats for 2B, 3B, TB, SB and docking points for Ks and GIDP). Only one 1 UTIL slot, no CI/MI, no 4th/5th OF.
10 keepers per team. Here’s my current team:
C –
1B – Torkelson
2B – Hoerner (2B/SS)
SS – Abrams
3B – Caminero (SS/3B)
LF – Soto
CF – Chourio
RF –
UTIL – Harper (1B/DH)
BN – Lawlar (SS, hopefully 3B), Encarnacion-Strand (1B, hopefully 3B), Friedl (LF/CF), Santander (LF, RF, 1B)
IL – Mauricio (2B/OF/SS)
1 – I’ve been offered Noelvi Marte (3B), Jordan Walker (RF) and Dylan Crews for my Junior Caminero, who doesn’t look to be coming up til mid-season (but then same with Crews).
Walker would fill my RF need assuming he’s an everyday starter.
Accept or pass?
2 – If I accept this trade I’d be keeping (in order of must vs might keep):
1 Soto, 2 Harper, 3 Chourio, 4 Abrams, 5 Marte, 6 Walker, 7 Hoerner, 8 Lawlar, 9 Crews, 10 Encarnacion-Strand
Looks good or swap out any of the above with Torkelson, Mauricio, Santander, Outman, Friedl, Santander?
Thanks in advance.
1. Sounds like a no brainer
Santander and Outman over Crews and Lawlar
Thanks for the response.
Just to confirm, you’re saying trade Caminero for Marte/Walker/Crews, and then not keep Crews in favor of Santander/Outman.
So my top keepers would be, in order:
1 Soto, 2 Harper, 3 Chourio, 4 Abrams, 5 Marte, 6 Walker, 7 Hoerner, 8 Santander, 9 Outman, 10 Encarnacion-Strand
Don’t see what you’re doing with these guys in a 12 team league…Do you not need Santander or Outman?
Hmm. So judging by the site’s Standard Roster, 6X6 OBP rankings, how’s this order?
1 Soto, 2 Harper, 3 Hoerner, 4 Abrams, 5 Torkelson, 6 Santander, 7 N. Marte, 8 Chourio, 9 Walker, 10 Outman
Works for me
Grey, I’m in a home league this year that is 5×5, with two UT spots, one Catcher, three OF, with an innings limit.
Based on these settings, would you try to target a certain position earlier or later ?
12 teams total
You can wait on a 2nd and 3rd OF a little bit, prolly still get a top one if I could…but depends if people fill up on UTIL with OF…I’d follow my rankings…definitely can wait on catcher…
Great, thanks for the insight !
Similar to an OC, but different roster sizes and with games limit
Right
Hey Grey! In my 12 team H2H league (OBP OPS no AVG + QS in addition to regular pitching stats), I have a team interested in my $21 Luis Castillo. Keep forever. Would you trade him for any of the guys below? If so, who’s your fav in this format?
$5 Tarik
$18 Glasnow
$19 Jazz (not good obp)
$40 Olson (my other 4 keepers are all 1st round bats in the mid to high $20s)
$5 Jackson Holliday
Thanks!
Or $16 Altuve
I guess Tarik or Jackson if you want to spend less on your keepers…But Castillo is clearly the best keeper here and not a terrible price so I’d prolly hold
That’s all my other keepers are pricey so was trying to think about ways to get cheaper.
I hear ya, don’t think there’s much value to be had there
10 team dynasty roto (25 keepers)
6×6 with OBP
6×6 QS
With 250 players gone, the draft pool is slim.
Sale, Imanaga, K Carpenter, M Gore, E Sheehan
Which one would you take G?
Thanks
Sheehan
Grey, draft strategy question
Take Bellinger1B/OF with my 3rd pick if ive already drafted Carroll/Semien or take a second OF like Adolis Garcia? I follow your rankings .Just want to know which way to go.
Yeah, I don’t mind that
Hey Grey, Just completed my first 15tm Mixed auction, used your pitcher pairings best as I could per what was kept and what wasnt kept, I plug my team into the War Room, is this good?? Looks like my hitting is nice, pitching could use a little help?
This is a daily league and I am constantly looking to stream, so pitching shouldnt be an issue!!
Gotcha, then you’re fine
Your hitting is incredible, and it looks like your pitching needs some help, but that’s okay…
Thank you sir!!
No problem
Looking for RP’s to target late. Couple I’m looking at so far;
-Martin in BOS (Jansen trade rumors)
-Adam in TB (Fairbanks health)
-Neris for Cubs
-Nardi in MIA (Scott looking horrible this spring)
-Robertson in TEX
Any of these guys stand out and worth grabbing? Anyone else to think about late in drafts?
Any dart throws on CHW, COL, or KC you are taking? Roles still seem unsettled there.
Meh, I guess Martin for now
I know I had Jason Adam on and off my roster all year last year, and he was a stud more often than not. And like you said Fairbanks health (plus Kevin cash’s usual tinkering/role flexibility).
Hi Grey,
14 team h2h keeper dynasty league.
Received trade offer:
My Olson, Gausman, Ragans for Ohtani and $200 FA cash (start season with $400 each team).
What do you think? Thankyou!
Nah
I was gonna jump on garver the. I saw his 0 for 30 something stats at safeco or whatever they call that park. I passed and then lo and behold he was still there the next round so I took the plunge…
Great call on Stephenson.
The Pads are only now giving Campusano a chance I dunno why. Hope they give him a decent leash.
Papasmurf! Yeah, I don’t mind Garver there…
Grey,
Who do we like more in 2024 – Sale or Joe Ryan?
Sales has IMO the better team and more stuff in his arsenal but of course the injuries worry me.
Ryan has what 2 pitches and working on a 3rd?
Let me know who you would rather have an why!
https://razzball.com/2024-fantasy-baseball-rankings/
Grey, do your preseason rankings get updated before the season starts? If so, how often? I see the article was posted February 7th.
Thanks.
I updated daily multiple times…you can see updates in the posts bc they’re labeled UPDATE
I saw Yamamoto get shelled yesterday or did he? I watched some highlights and he was babip’d to death.
I know it’s early, but Lux didn’t look good and/or comfortable playing SS. Let’s watch his progression. Poor SS play isn’t going to help the ratios.
Maybe Mookie can play SS. He is good at everything.
Ha, Lux is trying to disprove the rule “everyone in the Dodgers’ lineup is worth rostering”
Muncy was awful at the hot corner too. He wasn’t good there last year either.
I fat-fingered that term and typed it as “hit” corner, which may not be too far from the truth.
Yeah, but his bat still plays well
For real baseball at least bc of walks
Absolutely. I play in obp leagues.
I just wanted to point out that the left-side defense could be an issue. Team defense is often overlooked when it comes to pitcher performance and fantasy stats that we care about like whip and era.
Yeah, totally!
Lux is a trainwreck at SS, tentative, stiff and too mechanical. Miguel Rojas will be the default
Lux would be around a 500th overall pick that no one cared about if he were on just about any other team
I wonder if the Dodgers would be better off playing Betts at SS full-time and Lux the primary 2B…
Prolly
DH
If Shohei wasn’t there!
You’re right, not sure where he plays
Thought I’d see A. Kirk on top haha. Have a share of Stephenson and think he’ll be decent. Garver is a guy I like to produce out of the cleanup spot in a pretty good lineup. No Keibert? Where is Oaktown? Have a great day!
Haha, I think Keibert might be drafted before 200 overall, if he’s not, he works for me
In 10 RCLs, K. Ruiz has been drafted 7 times with ADP of 275. Which is crazy as your 8th ranked catcher.
That is pretty nuts…No reason to jump a catcher before 200 overall
In my auction, Will Smith went for 28 and then Bo Jackson, I mean Naylor went for 19 bucks, I was like WTH!! I just took some late ones like you listed up there, gomes and campusano for a total of 4 bucks.
Haha
gotcha
I honestly think I’m not even going to draft a catcher in my 12 teamer and just pick up whatever is left on waivers
There are at least 3-4 guys after the top 12 that will likely not get drafted
I could see, tbh
*I could see it
ya it seems reasonable
its a 1 catcher league. last years only 2 teams carried 2 catchers
so that’s only 14 catchers snatch up total, 13 if i don’t participate
at least one of Ruiz, OHoppe, Naylor, Stephenson, Campusano, Garver should be available.
Yeah, exactly
I like Big Dumpers, I cannot lie.
Sir Mix A Lot? Is that you?
Two drafts. Two C’s from this list.
HAHA
I’m hearing a lot of podcast pundits say outfield is very shallow (even in a 3 outfield league I heard one guy say). That seems absurd to me. I agree with you when you said, you can almost wait until pick 150 and then take your outfielders.
Yeah, sounds kinda absurd
Hey Grey! I have followed along with your EDLC vs Oneil Cruz convo on Twitter the last couple of days and I’ve read you Schmohawk post for Elly and listened to the SS podcast. I believe the crux of your argument is the ADP between the two, so I ask: what ADP are you comfortable taking Elly? You have them right next to each other in your ranks but you did put Oneil above Elly, so I would assume if Elly fell into the 60s, you’d still prefer Oneil?
I have Elly ranked after Oneil Cruz
Here comes an “I love you, BUT”…
I think we may have another case of “selective stat-picking” here, like you have been accused of doing with Bichette lol. Elly and Oneil have strikingly similar career numbers right now. Of course Elly is one season, but Oneil is basically one season with the late call up in 2021 and the injury in 2023. They shake out like this:
Elly: 67/13/44/35 .235/.300/.410 in 427 PA
Oneil: 54/19/61/13 .237/.302/.449 in 410 PA
Career K%: Both are 33.7%
Career BB%: Oneil is 0.3% higher than Elly at 8.5% vs 8.2%
I know you mentioned on the pod about the improvements Oneil made in 2022, but with those improvements he still ended up with a 34.9% K rate and his BB rate was still sub 10% with a .384 BABIP.
Elly had a putrid 2-3 months towards the end of last season. His September numbers show that he may have started to figure things out, but it may have been masked due to some bad luck in his batted ball profile. His K rate for Sept/October dropped to 30.8% with a 12.5% BB rate. His BABIP dropped to .291 which is insanely low for him especially given the decreased strikeouts. His HH% was better in Sept/Oct than June and July when he was lighting the world on fire.
I guess I’m just confused why you are beating the drum so hard for one of these guys and pumping the brakes on the other.
Elly is going inside the top 30 and Cruz is going 50 picks later…Why? Why is Elly so much better than Oneil? Please explain
That was my initial question. Is it just an ADP argument? You said you have Oneil ahead of him. So, does that mean you would take Oneil above him at any point? If Oneil Cruz was available at current ADP and Elly somehow fell to that level, you are taking Oneil in that case as well?
Rudy’s rankings have Oneil too…Oneil is safer for AVG and is 50 picks later in drafts…This kinda feels like a no brainer to me tbh…Oneil is safer, Oneil was what we thought Elly was then he had a fluky injury…Oneil over Elly
Elly was 9th in the league in steals with less than 100 games played. Next closest player with less than 100 games played on the list was Jake McCarthy tied for 24th with 26 steals. I understand devaluing steals because of the rule change, but Oneil Cruz is ALL projection! He has never hit 20 home runs in a season! He definitely could, but he hasn’t done it yet.
Okay, you seem convinced…I hope Elly works out, 50 picks later I will take Oneil in all leagues
I picked Oneil in the 6th last year based off of your hype and look what it got me! I blame you for that one too.
JK no hard feelings, Grey.
I won’t be picking Elly anywhere near the top 20 because I am keeping him as a 10th round keeper in a H2H league. The question is if I should just lean in and pick Oneil as well and have the left of my infield accruing 50/100 and balance them with Arraez over at 1st base lol
Haha, yeah, Oneil killed me too…but that was about as fluky as injuries come…both Cruzes sounds so sexy
I just texted my wife that I’m deciding to draft both Cruzes in fantasy baseball. She replied, “Come home, NOW!” with an eggplant emoji!
Thanks Grey!
Hahahaha
Not to answer for Grey, but I feel like you brought up selective stat picking and then did just that. The easy answer is that a good (ish) stretch for De La Cruz could just be total noise. I don’t know that BABIP, BB% and K% changes over a six week stretch mean anything. Also in any two player comparison someone has to like one better; like you said their career numbers are similar (with neither having a real full season of PA yet so again take a lot with a grain of salt), so it could just as easily be flipped to “why do you think De La Cruz is better”? A ton of it is projection (beyond just looking at last year’s numbers) and “vibes” for lack of a better term ha ha
For my own purposes (full disclosure I am a Pirate fan but almost never own their players) you could also factor in team setups. The Reds are loaded with young talent who need chances at any point. O’Neil Cruz is one of like four guys who are exciting or can be a real offensive threat on the current projected MLB roster for the Buccos. Could easily see Elly sitting for someone else in a slump while (I would imagine) O’Neil will get every chance to play through a slump just about every day.
Could the same be said for Oneil? He has been as bad or worse for stretches and had a hot stretch to end 2022. Elly had a hot stretch to start his career, was really bad, and then showed some positive momentum to end the year (which he is so far showing in ST as well, for as little as ST numbers are worth). If Oneil Cruz is a .250 hitter, we could expect maybe 20/30? If Elly is a .250 hitter for a full season we could expect, maybe 20/60? Maybe 25 homers if the power shows up a bit more than last year. I love both guys. I owned Oneil Cruz last year because I was willing to gamble on the tools and was very sad when he got hurt. I agree ADP for Elly is too high right now because he has to prove a bit more but he did just go 13/35 in a partial season with a REALLY bad stretch included.
Yep; I think either one could turn into a superstar or crater to nothingness like Gregory Polanco did. Kind of weird when I think about it, and I am probably forgetting some guys, but it seems like tall, freakishly athletic baseball players are either super good or flame out/get injured with few outcomes in between.
Good Morning Sir,
I have been waiting until the last rounds to draft catcher in mock drafts. I usually end up with Bo, O’Hoppe, or Stepenson. In yahoo, MJ Melendez has catcher elidgibilty and Henry Davis should gain eligibility fairly early. Would you prioritize MJ or Davis over the other group? Thanks!
Davis might not get catcher eligib. Who said he would?
Roster Resource currently has him projected as the starting catcher. In Yahoo, 5 starts would give him elidgibilty.
Great! I hope he does…He’d slot in around Campusano in my rankings
I just checked the Pirates box scores for last week, and Davis has played catcher every game he was in the lineup.
Great! Hope he does in-season
Yeah as of now vibes in Pittsburgh are he will be primary catcher with Grandal in mentor/backup mode. Some of that could be people wish casting because Davis is testing it up at the plate so far in spring
Hi Grey,
Always value your input.
Would appreciate your thoughts on the amount of Hitters/Starting Pitchers/Relief Pitchers should I have on my team coming out of the draft in a 11 team Yahoo Points league.
Thank you.
You have to take hitters to fill your league, no? I’d take all SPs in some points leagues, depends on the points
Great advice. I used that strategy last year and for the time finished first. Over the off season, I was having some second thoughts about concentrating on SPs. Thanks for reminding me to stay the course. Of course, it also helped that I followed your advice and traded away Alex Cobb and got Austin Reilly in exchange. Thanks always taking your time to give such great input!
Nice!
Great takes! I totally agree on Stephenson and O’Hoppe. I have several shares of both, although Stephenson is easier to draft. I got O’Hoppe in a couple of early drafts but he climbed into the 130’s in my most recent drafts and I missed him. I got Heim in the 170s instead and really cant complain, especially if he keeps hitting clean up in that lineup.
Catchers are not so depressing in ‘24!
They’re not so bad! Worse than most other positions by a lot? Yeah, but not bad compared to catchers from previous years
Good morning Grey!!
With the spring that he is having; would you reccomend Ezequiel Tovar as a potential top producer for fantasy; especially if he gets lead off or top of order spot?
Tovar is fine for 15/12/.260
I have a keeper question 6×6 h2h keeper with obp as the extra hitting cat.
I have
Bret baty,
Oswald Peraza,
Tyler Stephenson,
Miguel Vargas and
Brandon Drury.
Which THREE should I keep?
None? Throw back Tyler and Peraza
What pick would you. be comfortable taking Strider without taking him too soon. Don’t like drafting pitchers early. Thanks
Around 15 overall
Need to pick 7 keepers, round penalty next to each player 6×6 league with AVG and OPS categories.
Jose Ramirez 8
Vlad jr 9
Luis Robert 14
Kyle Tucker 14
Austin Riley 17
Gunnar Henderson 21
Elly de la cruz 22
Jackson churio 25
Junior caminero 26
Need to pick 7 or these, thank you
So not two? Caminero and Chourio
Grey!!!
Fantastic late catchers 2024 to target!! Keep ’em coming!
Have a nice weekend!!
Chris Rock quote of the day for March 7, 2024
Are we so desperate for entertainment that we will fall for a trickless magician?? Where the fuck’s the trick? Saw a woman in half. Pull a rabbit out of a hat. Do something! What tricks does this guy have? “I’m in a box…and I ain’t gonna eat”. “I’m in a box…and I ain’t gonna eat”!! That ain’t no trick! That’s called living in the projects!
Cheers,
Ante
Thanks! It’s only Thursday
Grey!!
Yesterday I was Amte.
Today it’s Friday.
Tomorrow???
Cheers,
Ante
HAHA