Matt Linder
The catching crop currently consists of a few proven veterans, a few up-and-coming stars as well as a few belatedly bloomers. Overall, the seat is slightly thin, simply at that spot is a full general consensus on the overstep 3 guys. After that, the spots are broad opened upwardly as well as upwardly for debate. Enjoy!
 |
| Brad Penner - USA TODAY Sports |
1. Gary Sanchez
The Yankees backstop led all catchers alongside a 4.1 WAR, despite missing a calendar month of the season. He striking to a greater extent than dwelling menage runs (33) as well as for a higher OPS (.876) than anybody else at his position. At exclusively 25 years old, at that spot is soundless plenty of room for improvement, specially defensively. Sanchez’s glove is much-maligned, simply his struggles are largely overblown. He has i of the strongest arms from behind the plate, throwing out 39% of potential base-stealers, as well as his pitch framing graded out equally inwards a higher house average. The exclusively missing slice for Sanchez is pitch-blocking, which he volition probable improve upon equally he matures. Overall, the combination of elite offensive production as well as enterprise defence makes him the best catcher inwards baseball.
 |
| Andy Hayt - Getty Images |
2. Buster Posey
Despite existence behind the plate for many long playoff runs, the 30-year one-time has shown no signs of slowing down. The three-time World Series champion set forth his 6th consecutive flavour of star-level production inwards 2017. Posey’s OBP of .400 blew away the side past times side closest catcher, Sanchez’s .345. However, he exclusively striking twelve dwelling menage runs final season, a career low. Posey’s defence behind the plate is soundless extremely strong. The time to come Hall of Famer has been the model of consistent excellence as well as I would non fence alongside anybody who ranks him ahead of Sanchez.
 |
| Steve Mitchell - USA TODAY Sports |
3. Wilson Contreras
In his commencement total flavour equally the Cubs’ catcher, Contreras set together an impressive season. He finished 3rd inwards WAR for catchers, correct behind Sanchez as well as Posey. Contreras missed a calendar month of the season, simply soundless striking 21 dwelling menage runs as well as produced an OPS+ of 119 (100 = league average). Like Sanchez, the 25-year one-time has a rocket for an arm as well as should improve the finer mechanics of catching equally he matures. I facial expression Contreras to brand his commencement of many All-Star appearances inwards 2018.
 |
| David Zalubowski - AP |
4. J.T. Realmuto
Likely overshadowed past times the Marlins’ star-studded outfield the past times 2 seasons, Realmuto has quietly move i of the best catchers inwards the league. He finished 4th inwards WAR behind the 3 guys ahead of him on this list. He added to a greater extent than ability to his offensive game, hitting a career high 17 dwelling menage runs inwards 2017. For his career, the 27-year one-time throws out over 33% of potential base of operations stealers, thank you lot to his elite popular time. Also, dissimilar virtually catchers, he tin contribute on the base of operations paths equally well. Realmuto’s sprint speed is on par alongside Brett Gardner as well as Mike Trout. He is the final remaining slice of value next the Marlins teardown as well as I would non live on shocked if he was dealt at the merchandise deadline to a contender.
 |
| Jay Biggerstaff - USA TODAY Sports |
5. Salvador Perez
The Royals’ backstop is far from perfect, simply inwards a weak crop of catchers, Perez comes inwards at discover 5 inwards the ranking. He has non reached base of operations at a .300 clip since 2013 however, he hits for ability (27 dwelling menage runs final year) as well as receives praise for the agency he handles the pitching staff. The 28-year one-time is a skillful defender behind the plate, posting positive defensive WARs inwards every flavour since he became an everyday catcher inwards 2013.
 |
| AP |
6. Yadier Molina
The veteran striking eighteen dwelling menage runs final year, the minute virtually of his career. However, he exclusively had an OBP of .312. Overall, his OPS+ dropped from 111 inwards 2016 to 96 final season. Is that a sign of turn down or an outlier? Regardless of the answer, Molina soundless provides plenty offensively to live on a valuable player, specially when coupled alongside his skillful defence as well as first-class leadership. Yadi’s overall trunk of move as well as continued enterprise production earned him the 6th spot on the list.
 |
| Otto Greule Jr - Getty Images |
7. Mike Zunino
The 27-year one-time set together past times far his best flavour equally a large leaguer inwards 2017. Zunino’s yr did non start off good however. In April, he slashed .167/.250/.236 alongside no dwelling menage runs, earlier existence sent to the minors. Something must convey clicked inwards Triple-A, because when the Mariners called him dorsum to the large leagues inwards belatedly May, he striking .270/.349/.571 alongside 25 dwelling menage runs for the residue of the year. Zunino strikes out a lot, 160 times inwards 124 games, simply his ability makes upwardly for it. On the other side of the field, he is non a cracking defender. He has problem blocking pitches inwards the dirt, simply is decent both at throwing out potential base of operations stealers (24%) as well as framing pitches. I would non live on surprised if Zunino picked upwardly where he left off inwards 2017 as well as earned a trip to the All-Star game this season.
 |
| Mark J. Rebilas - USA TODAY Sports |
8. Jonathan Lucroy
Lucroy’s did non convey a skillful 2017. He exclusively striking 3 dwelling menage runs during the entire season, piece playing inwards hitter friendly dwelling menage ballparks inwards Texas as well as Colorado. Lucroy is exclusively 31 years one-time as well as perhaps a alter of scenery inwards Oakland volition larn him dorsum on track. Just 2 seasons ago, he striking .292/.355.500 alongside 24 dwelling menage runs. He has been an average defender for virtually of his career. Depending on whether this flavour resembles his 2016 or his 2017 production, I volition either facial expression smart or stupid for putting him on this list.
 |
| John Bazemore - AP |
9. Tyler Flowers
The Braves’ catcher is the Definition of a “late bloomer.” The 32-year one-time spent the mass of his career equally backup catcher for the White Sox. However, since becoming a Brave inwards 2016, Flowers has resurrected his career. Last season, he slashed an impressive .281/.378/.445. In improver to the newfound offense, his best science is stealing strikes; he grades out equally the unmarried best pitch-framer inwards the game.
 |
| Jae C. Hong - AP |
10. Austin Barnes
This is belike the spot I struggled alongside most, specially considering that Barnes may non fifty-fifty live on the Dodgers everyday catcher. Yasmani Grandal caught the mass of games for LA final season, simply was benched belatedly inwards the yr because Barnes was playing better. In his commencement total large league season, the 28-year one-time striking .289/.408/.486, piece catching 55 games as well as playing minute base of operations inwards roughly other 21 games. He does non convey a cracking arm behind the plate, simply both his framing as well as blocking graded out well-above average. I mean value he will, as well as should, live on the Dodgers everyday catcher inwards 2018 based on his strong performance final season.
Also Considered:
Yasmani Grandal - Dodgers
Alex Avila - Diamondbacks
Wellington Castillo – White Sox
**All WAR stats come upwardly from Baseball Reference
Please banking concern fit dorsum i time again tomorrow for my overstep 10 commencement basemen inwards 2018.
If you lot convey whatsoever questions, comments or criticisms experience gratis to achieve out to me at mattlinder2@gmail.com
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar