*insert musical note* Hello, darkness, my old friend. It’s something-something, me again. So, I don’t know the words. Are you here for musical theory or for a recap of the craziest season in recent memory? I thought so! Today’s jazz handsy recap is of the catchers. Please don’t ask if this is ranking for next year. It’s not a ranking for next year. It’s me recapping last season (last two months?). Please, for the love that all is holy, understand this. It’s all I ask of you. Well, that and shower me with praise. The latter isn’t hard, the former is. Also, remembering which is the ‘latter’ and which is the ‘former’ is hard too. Quibbles and semantics, my good man and five lady-mans. It wouldn’t be fair for me to preseason rank the players, then rank them again in the postseason based on my opinion, so these postseason top 20 lists are ranked according to our Fantasy Baseball Player Rater. It’s cold hard math, y’all! Anyway, here’s the top 20 catchers for 2020 fantasy baseball and how they compared to where I originally ranked them:
1. J.T. Realmuto – This is the first time I can remember, while only remembering back, like, two or three years, that a guy was ranked 1st and came in 1st for his position two years in a row. Jerry Tomato is the best catcher, and I’m not saying that because this post is sponsored by Scott Boras. Though the Mets should give Realmuto $400 million for 15 years. I also say that not because I’m sponsored, but because I like to laugh at the Mets. Also, something I didn’t realize going into this year, but catchers didn’t have a chance to get blown out of the water by other positions, due to games played. For unstints, each week, a catcher will miss a game, maybe two. Over 24 weeks, that adds up and catchers are nowhere near as valuable as hitters at other positions. In 60 games? Realmuto was about as valuable as LeMahieu, which is valuable. Solid takeaway for all future 60-game seasons, and now let’s hope we never see one again. *intern whispers* There’s a collective bargaining holdout scheduled for when? Oh man. Preseason Rank #1, 2020 Projections: 34/9/30/.278/1 in 195 ABs, Final Numbers: 33/11/32/.266/4 in 173 ABs
2. Salvador Perez – In retrospect, it’s obvious the extra time off provided Perez a chance to get healthy. Too bad he felt the need to take even more time off in the middle of the season or he might’ve been the #1 catcher this year, and yank that spot from Jerry Tomato. “Did someone say the Yanks offered me a contract?” No, Jerry Tomato. Preseason Rank #10, 2020 Projections: 20/8/27/.238 in 174 ABs, Final Numbers: 22/11/32/.333/1 in 150 ABs
3. Travis d’Arnaud – It’s true that he overperformed his batting average just a wee bit, or oui bit, since this is The French Terminator. “I told you I’d be back.” That’s a rather cuckoldish-sounding d’Arnaud. Anyway, I won’t point out The French Terminator has 20 homers his last two July thru Septembers while teaching you about apophasis and how a catcher can provide priapism. “Alex, Five-Dollar Words for $500.” Preseason Rank #18, 2020 Projections: 17/6/18/.246 in 140 ABs, Final Numbers: 19/9/34/.321/1 in 165 ABs
4. Willson Contreras – His stats are yawnstipating while being close to what I projected and still coming 4th for all catchers. Could write it off as a small sample, but solid BABIP, increased Ks and just not putting much of a charge into the ball. Maybe he just never had that one to-three week hot streak you can usually count on like one-two-three. Preseason Rank #4, 2020 Projections: 24/9/26/.258 in 157 ABs, Final Numbers: 37/7/26/.243/1 in 189 ABs
5. Christian Vazquez – If you’re like me and can remember back to the beginning of the season way back in July, you’ll recall that Vazquez provided nearly all his value in the first four days of the season. Preseason Rank #7, 2020 Projections: 21/7/25/.272/2 in 173 ABs, Final Numbers: 22/7/23/.283/4 in 173 ABs
6. Will Smith – At some point in the middle of The Pursuit of Happyness, maybe the 60-minute mark, Will “Jiggy” Smith’s career stopped being good. Crazy that was 14 years ago. Any hoo! There’s a similar break between Will Smith and everyone else in this ranking. Smith wasn’t great, but when you go below him, it was a potpourri of varying rancid smells. Preseason Rank #6, 2020 Projections: 23/9/27/.262/1 in 176 ABs, Final Numbers: 23/8/25/.289 in 114 ABs
7. Austin Nola – If you would’ve told me in March two Nolas would make the top 125 overall on the Player Rater, I would’ve said you spent too long at Mardi Gras. Preseason Rank #35, 2020 Projections: 13/3/15/.254/1 in 127 ABs, Final Numbers: 24/7/28/.273 in 161 ABs
8. Yasmani Grandal – Without a weird injury the last week, he would’ve nailed his projections. He was actually one catcher who I think was hurt by the 60 games. He would’ve provided value as a DH at times in a long season. There was no need in this hiccup of games. Preseason Rank #3, 2020 Projections: 27/9/29/.241/1 in 187 ABs, Final Numbers: 27/8/27/.230 in 161 ABs
9. James McCann – Kinda wish the White Sox would’ve committed to Grandal or McCann, because I think separately they can each be much more productive, but together they cut each other’s value. Like mustard and ketchup are both good, but you put them together and what is this crap? Mutchup? No one eats mutchup, man. Get your mutchup off my sandwich bread! Preseason Rank #36, 2020 Projections: 9/3/13/.242 in 90 ABs, Final Numbers: 20/7/15/.289/1 in 97 ABs
10. Isiah Kiner-Falefa – Israel Diner-Falafel was a PITA for all three pitchers he took deep this year. Preseason Unranked, Final Numbers: 28/3/10/.280/8 in 211 ABs
11. Martin Maldonado – With his peripherals, he was saved by a 60-game season. In 162 games, Martin Maldonado (great name, by the way) would’ve hit .180. Preseason Rank #25, 2020 Projections: 15/5/18/.222 in 134 ABs, Final Numbers: 19/6/24/.215/1 in 135 ABs
12. Max Stassi – I ranked him the preseason, but the German military police forced me to remove him. Preseason Unranked, Final Numbers: 12/7/20/.278 in 90 ABs
13. Pedro Severino – He got mutchuped with Sisco, and it hurt both of them. Just reenforces that a Sisco pairing is impossible. Preseason Rank #32, 2020 Projections: 12/4/13/.242/1 in 103 ABs, Final Numbers: 17/5/21/.250/1 in 160 ABs
14. Sean Murphy – Bummed out like a young Evan Gattis to see Murphy have such a whatever year. His Launch Angle isn’t bad, per se, but his ground and fly balls don’t back that up. Maybe because he’s making such weak contact his fly balls are only making it to just in front of the 3rd baseman and being counted as a ground ball. Preseason Rank #15, 2020 Projections: 15/6/18/.251 in 143 ABs, Final Numbers: 21/7/14/.233 in 116 ABs
15. Yan Gomes – Mutchup’d with Suzuki. Hey, Gomes is a Suzuki sidekick! Rad jeep, brah. Preseason Rank #, 2020 Projections: , Final Numbers: 14/4/13/.284/1 in 109 ABs
16. Gary Sanchez – Can we just say once and for all that–“We’re The Three Musketeers?”–No, that’s all for one, one for all–Anyway! Gary Sanchez sucks. We must agree on this now, and for always. He can’t hit the broadside of a barn with a baseball bat. Preseason Rank #2, 2020 Projections: 25/13/30/.236 in 158 ABs, Final Numbers: 19/10/24/.147 in 156 ABs
17. Kurt Suzuki – Mutchup’d with Yan Gomes and just a big hangover for the entire Nats’ team, except for Treat Urner and Sexy Dr. Pepper. Preseason Rank #20, 2020 Projections: 16/6/20/.261 in 130 ABs, Final Numbers: 15/2/17/.270/1 in 111 ABs
18. Kevin Plawecki – Ya know what’s gonna be nuts? Looking back at this year’s stats in ten years and being like, “Wow, Plawecki made the top 20 catchers?” Oh, who am I kidding, no one will look back at this in ten years, there will be no need because Kevin Plawecki is so unforgettable. People will be quoting Kevin Plawecki’s season for years! Preseason Unranked, Final Numbers: 8/1/17/.341/1 in 82 ABs
19. Danny Jansen – He made the top 20, due to one huge game in the final week. I’m not joking. Preseason Rank #17, 2020 Projections: 17/5/19/.241/1 in 140 ABs, Final Numbers: 18/6/20/.183 in 120 ABs
20. Yadier Molina – Nearly nailed Molina’s preseason projections and ranking. That and two dollars ain’t buying me something that costs $2.o1 without guiltily taking a penny from the Take A Penny, Leave A Penny jar. Why do they even put that there? It makes me feel so terrible! Preseason Rank #19, 2020 Projections: 18/4/20/.264/2 in 156 ABs, Final Numbers: 12/4/16/.262 in 145 ABs
Wait … ” felt the need to take time off” ? Really ? This wasn’t a vacation he took., Dillweed. He had blurred vision …went on a physician dictated 2 1/2 week on the IL.
Your need to be the cleverest boy in the classroom gets you a stand-in=the=corner with a dunce hat.
I love Metchup dude! Been eating it on hamburgers exclusively since 1968. In fact, they should just make metchup and sell it as its own sauce.
Don’t ever disrespect the Metchup or Wil Myers will have to show you how wrong you are about him, too! To be fair, you totally nailed Teoscar, so we both know you know your shit. Also, McCann is a badass and he should land with a new team this offseason and get 400-plus At-bats next year. He’s going to be a steal for some team needing a catcher. Perhaps the Cardinals will invest in him and let old man Yadi move along.
Don’t look now, but Arozarena is having a great playoffs
YUUGE
Haha
Literally, don’t look! You’re making him overrated
I actually love mutchup on my corn dogs!
You and me both!
So…. How long until we can start a Bestball league for next year. I’ve got winnings in my accounts waiting to be burned.
Haha, I entered postseason contest with my winnings
Maybe first thing after World Series?
That is a pretty depressing list, but something tells me the 1B recap will be even more depressing.
I wouldn’t bet on that, 1B ain’t bad, better than this at least, but hard to be worse
Two of these guys are in the top 7 1B’s
Haha, yeah, but 1B has more depth
The post season recap we were all on the edge of our seats for in utter suspense. You didnt disappoint. They did.
Haha, thanks!
CSUCK!
HAHAHA – CRAPSHOOT
Where do you see the French Terminator being drafted next year? Over/under 150 overall? Wondering if he’s a viable keeper option, especially if the DH sticks.
I’d be surprised if it’s before 150
What a black hole, I usually wait and draft whatever catcher is available at the end of the draft. Maybe next year I’ll just take another pitcher instead, leave the whole damn position blank!
In most shallower leagues, you can do that and just pick up a catcher off waivers once season starts
I had a load of Perez shares and had Perez Grandal and Maldonado on my Draft and Hold roster along with Pina. My Catchers were probably the biggest reason for my success in this short crazy season
Nice! Yeah, Sal P. was also a great bargain in the preseason, way back in Jan-March
Grey, I’m disappointed. Not a single Mitch Garver joke to found in the entire catcher recap, I know because I Cmd+F’d it after not finding while reading.
Fresh Prince might have had a run at top 3 had he not been injured too. seems like there was a lot of catcher injuries to go with all the pitcher injuries.
Suzuki at #17 with 2 HR, thats hot. Plawecki at #18 hitting .341 with 1 HR and 8 runs… hahahaha… deep breath… hahahaha
This season was just a minor bump in the road for Mitch Garver’s rise to Mt Olympus! *dodges tomato*
Sorry, did Garver play this year?
Plawecki’s year is so memorable, man! It’s one for the ages! 1 HR and 8 runs, chef’s kiss!
HAHA there it is… I don’t think he did, I believe he was IL’d the whole season. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Haha, honestly, I don’t think this “season” means anything for some guys, especially ones who had like 150 or less ABs
from your lips to Mitch Garver’s golden ears.
Haha
He might make a good GM for us Coolio…
haha, man, can Arte fire himself too? I want to see Bauer and Stroman in Anahiem next season or riot.
So what you’re saying is that if Trea Turner was a catcher, he could have made the top 20 If he played just his last day of the season alone. That is the catcher wasteland.
It’s gonna be interesting to see if that changes at all once automated electronically determined balls and strikes come in … and I have a MLB source that is hinting that may happen sooner than you might think.
Haha, yup, pretty much!
I hope you’re right, I don’t know, but I have my doubts
“Go away! There ain’t no Mitch Garver and there never was!”
*pulls down the window of the Mitch Garver Cafe*
Haha
hahaha
Omar Narvaez…
Man, I thought I was so smart trying to sneak him into a bigger trade as a throw-in. He was going to be my Spanish Inquisition (Acquisition?)…that little throwaway piece that paid off big time.
Nope.
Turns out his value was exactly correct — dog turds.
Fuckin’ Omar, man.
Omar’s comin’ yo, just not with offensive stats
Calling it now, Daulton Varsho is the catcher to draft next year. Thus concludes my yearly ration of one catcher comment.
NFBC paid $350 for 2nd place. Nice surprise!
Nice! I got my winner’s pot too…Not a bad haul for 60 games of work!
I owned him in our DC and it still couldnt make up for drafting Yordan in round 3. He and Sal.
I haven’t heard anything about Yordan at all…Like literally nothing
Thats because he’s been busy rehabbing his knees with Yoenis Cespedes on his ranch in Santo Domingo. Its called Rodeo Rehab.
HAHAHA
Will Smith top 4 next year. He needs more playing time.
ZIPs already has there projections for next two years, geez.
Smith was hitting 9th, platooning and toward end of the year was around the 6th spot. I’ll take that.
Good stuff.
Off top of head, I think Will Smith is a top 5 catcher for next year — nothing wrong with him, just needs to play
I always [always!] look forward to catcher talk … for the laughs.
Thanks, Grey!
Ha, thanks!
I get the feeling an Arozarena sleeper article may be in the works. Where do you see him ranked for 2021? Great job again this year!
Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think he’s drafted before the top 220 overall — perhaps if he has a huge playoffs then that changes
I’m thinking he might be the Trent Grisham for 2021
Really? Wow, that’s high praise too — not Reggie Jackson type praise of course
I’ll be digging into him in offseason… but the markers are there for similar storyline and cheap value, Grisham ADP was 250+, they both have speed/power mix and seem to be underrated. He doesn’t have quite the same plate disc as Grisham but his contact skills are probably better.
although, all this requires a starting job next season and not platooned out the a$$
Ha, yeah, that’s what I just said before reading this
I think he’ll be all but forgotten in the preseason of next year, so definitely has sleeper potential… Seems like his biggest obstacle is similar to Grisham too, in that next year people will be like, “Is he even the starter?”
Just FWIW, Sean Murphy’s “weak contact” this season equated to a 92.2 mph exit velocity (91st percentile in MLB), 49.4 percent hard-hit rate (also 91st percentile) and 12.7 percent barrel rate per batted ball event (83rd percentile). And not sure about all fly balls, but his average HR distance of 418 feet ranked No. 19 among qualified hitters, while his maximum of 464 feet was the 10th highest.
Hmm, interesting….I was look at more surface area stuff like FB and GB, but you bring up some good points…This was such a fluky year, prolly nothing to gleam from any of it, and I still like him, in general
All I know is drafting Sean Murphy was way better than Tom, who I owned in every league. I hear he has grown attached to his walking boot and is reluctant to give it up. Gotta love the 60-Day DL/IL in a 60 game season. I hear he will be training with David Dahl this offseason.
Oh, man, I forgot about Tom Murphy! Haha, totally slipped my mind…I owned him too, blech — BTW, in that NFBC league I won, I didn’t have a catcher for a few weeks
Amen. I am not sure how people missed the 17.1% walk rate to go with a .224 ISO. Combined with the information listed by BB, it’s tough not to see why people aren’t all in for 2021 at a reasonable price.
A realization: is Gary Sanchez basically J.P. Arencibia? Made a strong early impression with his dingers, but in reality is an all-or-nothing hitter with bad defense to boot?
Oh my god, Gary got the JP Arencibia tag and it hurts, why you do him like that? Gary Sanchez is going to be hitting 25 homers and .210 for the Angels when he’s 32 years old and I can’t wait
He will be Reggie Jackson 2.0. I still remember his whiffs. Not too many of his homers. Amazing uppercut.
Reggie Jackson is my favorite player of all time, so now I’m drafting him in the top 5 overall
I miss his candybar.
I have a wrapper in a frame — I’m crazy Reggie stalker
Haha! I had multiple encounters with him in the parking lot of Angels stadium in 1984-85. He wasnt very friendly. Downing was real cool. Carew was pretty polite. Gary Pettis was a good dude. My favorite visitor was Rickey. He was cracking jokes and stuff. Smoking.
Ha, I’ve had a few encounters with him too…He was a cocky SOB in his playing days…He’s mellowed a bit — I ran into Rickey once too, seemed like a good dude — honestly, I don’t even care if guys are aholes or not — what happens between lines! I sound so sports radio-ish saying that