Mound Talk

With the 2007 fantasy season just about to being, MoundTalk.com is set to release the top 20 players at each position. Today begins with catchers.

1. Joe Mauer. There is no catcher who can hit as well as Mauer or is as speedy. His foot speed is valuable though he won’t steal many bases, he will be able to get around and take a few extra bases. He’s durable and young so hopefully he’ll get 140 games in this year.

2. Brian McCann. The young Braves catcher had a great season last year and we expect him to have another good year. We don’t think he’s a .333 hitter but he’s got the power for 25 home runs and could drive in 100+.

3. Victor Martinez. V-Mart rounds out the catching trio that ought to be the only catchers taken in the first ten rounds. He’ll see more playing time at first this year so more at bats means more counting stats.

4. Kenji Johjima. Last year’s sleeper catcher did not prove to be all that great. He wasn’t bad but the hype demanded him to perform better. He can be a .300 hitter with 20 home runs and 75/75 with a good year. He’s durable and will get enough at bats this year.

5. Jorge Posada. Here’s where the talent really dips. Posada is a .260 average waiting to happen. He’s 35 and I doubt he’ll hold up all season. Even so, for the 20 home runs he’ll hit if healthy and all the runs he’ll score with the best lineup money can buy, Posada is worth taking a chance on.

6. Ronny Paulino. There is nothing special about him except his .300+ average potential. He won’t rack up many runs or rbi in his lineup and doesn’t have much power. But a .300 average helps a lot.

7. Ramon Hernandez. For a catcher, he has decent power and will drive in some runners. He won’t score a lot and his average is substandard. After a career high in games and at bats in 2006, he’s worth a look at number 7.

8. Russell Martin. This is where you begin to look for the least negative attributes or the potential in players and try to justify drafting them. Martin may hold value if he is available in the last quarter of your draft. Across the 5×5s he is very pedestrian for a full-time player. Worth a look on the basis of upside but even that is fairly limited.

9. Johnny Estrada. Estrada is definitely an upside pick. The former All-Star has hit .300 in two of his three full seasons and shown some ability to drive the ball. In Milwaukee he will have the opportunity to hit in a potentially very good lineup and get the opportunity to increase some of his counting stats by virtue of that. But be leery of playing time and injury risk.

10. A.J. Pierzinski. He’s not the same guy that was traded out of Minnesota but he’s still a potentially good contributor. He should be marginally above average for the position but is rated tenth because we see a good potential for decline in his production.

11. Paul Lo Duca. Like the other guys around him, age has taken its toll on Lo Duca. The power is all but gone and what remains is an acceptable average, good runs by virtue of the lineup and the possibility of tailing on a couple Jose Reyes led double steals. Lo Duca’s age and wear on his body makes him a legitimate concern but there is no denying his average and runs.

12. Chris Iannetta. The Rockies rookie has shown talent during his time in the minor leagues. He’s worth a pick but he isn’t much better than anyone after Johjima so don’t reach too high for him.

13. Ivan Rodriguez. The power is gone. The speed is gone. The durability is gone. Pudge is old and fading. He’s definitely on the avoid list, but he does hold some value.

14. Cody Ross. Ross has some power and if he can stay healthy and keep in the lineup he could hit 25 bombs. We like him at 14 for the fact that he could provide a small power boost if you’ve failed to get the guys you want earlier in the draft.

15. Mike Piazza. The catcher turned DH will have the benefit of not playing behind the plate everyday this year and his stats should see a boost. We’re just skeptical of what he’s got left in the tank.

16. Bengie Molina. He has moderate power, acceptable average and marginally below average runs and rbi totals. Playing time may be an issue.

17. Miguel Montero. Arizona shipped out their .300 former All-Star catcher to make room for Montero. He’s not nearly as good but could benefit from a lineup full of young players with good skills.

18. Jason Kendall. We’re not so sure he can play a whole season but if he does, he’ll give you a good average, some steals and a few runs above average. No power for Kendall.

19. Michael Barrett. Was 2006 an anomaly? We think so. Some injuries last season still present a concern and his .300 season is represented a career high nearly .040 points above his present career average. An improved lineup may help him but he’s still not worth much.

20. Miguel Olivo. Not a lot going for him. 2006 was by far his best season and for that reason and the fact that he is entering what should be his statistical prime, he might be worth a look late or to keep an eye on if he’s on the wire in case someone goes down with an injury.