MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2011: Catchers 

 I do not like catchers. They should bat eighth and throw to second base well. Alexi Avila had a break out year. The Tiger's people would say they saw it coming... I did not. Buster Posey had that unfortunate incident. We all want him to get better and have an elite year as a catcher in the near future. Brian McCann was an MVP caliber player till the collapse of the Braves down the stretch. How much blame does he deserve? Not for me to judge but I was excited in August for this card. He was watered down the stretch. Wieters, Conger, Arencibia and Olivo all could not get to that next level as young players. Pudge Rodriguez and Jason Varitek had serviceable last years for players with a lot of innings on their knees.

Modest power is available here for the taking. Avila is nice but he does not fit the bill and other players value him more. Brian McCann may be the most natural fit for someone looking for 6 hitter. His 240 point, 8, 18-20 card can play but not the way I hoped he could play when I watched him in August. His +4 arm is a liability. Carrying a Gun Em Down may be needed. With the freak center fielders could really punish people with +4 or less. McCann is a 16-20 round player because of his weak arm. For that reason my pick is Henry Blanco. He was my 8 hitter on my team this past season. I loved him. He gets cheap homers. I do not pay for doubles in front of my pitcher. His +9 arm helps out my anemic pitching staff. People will think I am crazy but this is a 3-5 round player. 2 words folks: Problem Solver. Tek is technically just as powerful but his +2 arm is a complete liability. I hate to say this about the captain but he is not a showdown player and has not been for his whole career. Tek is not a draftable player at all but his career deserves a mention.

Power pipsqueaks have some good options. Avila as a 3 or 4 hitter is again possible but not valued as highly as other players. Chris Ianneta is the player here. For 280 points a 9, speed B, 20 homer catcher is a nice pick. If his arm was better maybe a first 5 rounds pick. His 6 arm is good but not great. This may be the year where people steal more then ever. Reyes, Kemp, Ellsbury and Granderson will all be on teams. They will also not be on traditional pinger's teams. Meaning you may have to face all 4 of them. I can not blame Ianneta for this. 6 used to be good enough. This year it is not. He is a 6-10 pick for that reason. Nick Hundley may actually be a better deal here. For 200 points an 8, speed B, 20 homer, 19 triple and his +7 arm. Does the 1 more arm make a world of difference? No but it means more this year. Money Ballers love Carlos Ruis as a 9 for 210 points. Again carry some help for the arm. Ruiz is a 6-10 round player. Avila is the pick here if you are really trying to stack the line up with on base. He is a 4-6 round player if you like him. Still needs arm help but he can bat 2,5 or 6.

Small ballers tend to dislike all catchers. Pay for defense and bat them 8^th. John Jaso is not the player he was in 2010 when he was leading off for the Rays. Miguel Montero may be the best offensive player on the radar. He is an 8 or higher single as an 8. He can bat 6 maybe 7. He is a 6-10 round player. His +8 arm makes him even more attractive. Best punt option maybe ever in showdown is the legend. Pudge Rodriguez is an 11 arm for 50 points. He is a 5 who has no chart what so ever. This is a 3-5 round player. There will be a lot of stealing and he is the best discourager in the game. The next best option and doubt people will agree with this is Kelly Shoppach. He is probably a 6-10 round player. He may get pushed later in the draft because he is 80 points for homers he will never hit.

Catchers sometimes make good bench players some times they do not. The option that appeals to me is drafting Mike Napoli as a first basemen as a starter in a weak class. Then in the 7^th bring a mediocre first basemen who can stay in for 2 at bats against a bullpen. Napoli moving to catcher. It is an interesting idea. Then there is a slew of garbage sub 100 point players for whatever use you may have.