Catchers have transformed their role as everyday MLB players over the past three decades. Before the turn of the millennium, the catching position was typically designated for effective pitch and signal callers. Their spot in most MLB lineups, for the most part, was penciled in towards the bottom third (sixth-ninth) in the batting order.
Catchers were sought after for their defensive abilities and a certain degree of toughness. After all, despite wearing a layer of rugged plastic protection, catchers take a wide variety of physical abuse during the game and throughout a 162-game season. In recent years, the catching position has evolved to, in many cases, personify the total athlete.
The next generation catcher excels in the offensive and defensive components of the game. The added element or “tools” that a smaller, more elite group often brings to MLB competition are speed and the ability to steal bases. Their willingness to run translates to more extra-base hits and, usually, more RBIs than their counterparts who aren’t as fleet-footed.
From a fantasy perspective, the following players will boost your head-to-head totals. Plenty of MLB catchers can hit bombs. The ones listed here will increase your totals by also scoring runs and stealing bases. If catchers are needed to complete a fantasy lineup, the following players should do the job.
The 2024 Mariners were not widely known for their offensive pop. Raleigh received one of the best rotations in the game for most of the season and proved to be the best bat in an otherwise underperforming batting order. In addition to his career-high 34 home runs and 100 RBIs, Raleigh swept six bags and was only caught once.
The younger of the Contreras brothers is quickly becoming mentioned alongside the best in the game. A catalyst in the Brewers lineup, the athletic William can hit for average, spraying line drives over the field. He is also a serious power threat, having cleared the yard 60 times over the past three seasons combined.
Contreras will score and drive in plenty of runs, and a 20-20 season is not inconceivable, given his speed and base-running ability.
Naylor’s ADP is way further down on the list of potential starting catchers. That would be due to his lack of full regular-season playing time. It would appear that the Guardians are now ready to give Bo Naylor the chance to start every day behind the plate.
Bo Naylor hit double digits in home runs and doubles through 123 games in ‘24. He also swept 6 bags. Another impressive-looking athlete behind the plate that with regular PT, should have the numbers that justify taking him in the late rounds of a fantasy draft.
Willson’s home run total was slightly down in 2024 as he cleared the yard 15 times. That is a slight downgrade from the 20-plus he has averaged over the past five seasons. Like his younger brother, Willson will tally some stolen bases.
We can hope that he’ll contribute six or seven SBs while hitting for some power and a batting average that would rank higher than most catchers. Willson Contreras is a reliable catcher who will play daily and rack up the numbers.
Korey Lee is way down the ADP list. Lee might work if a catcher is needed to complete the fantasy lineup card. One of the few bright spots for the White Sox in 2025, Lee cranked 12 bombs in 2024 and swiped six bags. Lee will be given plenty of playing time, and if he is placed in the middle of the lineup, he could easily surpass the numbers he posted in ‘24.
Until recently, Phillies Catcher JT Realmuto would have been considered the prototype Speed/Power catcher. Mentioning his inside-the-park home run in the 2023 NLDS would be a testament to this. Any athlete will agree that foot speed is the first tool to subside over time gradually.
Realmuto doesn’t appear to be the same speed and power combination player that he once was. If managers at the game’s top level and within fantasy leagues are looking for some SB’s & HR’s from their catcher, then any of these five should probably fill the need.
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