MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2013: Catchers

               The longer I do this, the more I am amazed at the types of seasons Ivan Rodriguez, Mike Piazza and Jason Kendall (for 3 years or so) were able to put up. Not that any class at any position looks like the 2000/2001 classes, but the catcher class looks much different. Joe Mauer has been the clear cut, best catcher in the league since we started. He had an average year by his standards with a .404 OBP, 11 homers and 35 doubles. Brian McCann has the odd stats for his generation by having noticeably more home runs than doubles the last 3 years (64 to 46 over the last 3 years and 20 to 13 last year). 20 homers for 6 straight years is nothing to sneeze at for a catcher. If your teams catcher seemed average that is likely true, as this year more than most the variability seemed very low. Thankfully this is a relatively slow year (7 of the 25 10s are speed A). So arm isn’t as important as years past.

               Usually there are a handful of low batting order options for power hitters when we look at catchers. The most expensive pick I recommend if you want to hit home runs would be Brian McCann as an 8, speed C(11), 18-20 HR, 17 2B, C+4 for 230 points. Yan Gomes is also an option for a similar chart as an 8, speed B (13), 18-20 HR, 15-17 2B, C+8 for 330 points. Pure power hitters will view this as a waste of points. Defense focused players can find the same arm with different chart options. Wilin Rosario and Wilson Ramos are both 17-20 HR with 15-16 2B for 210 and 180 points respectively. Rosario is a speed B(15), C+6 and Ramos a speed C(10), C+5.

               This is a great way to show the difference between Pingers and Moneyball players. Pingers will rank ether Yadier Molina or Chris Ianetta first. Both are 9, speed B (14), 20 HR players. Molina has 16-19 2B and Ianetta a 18-19 2B. Molina has C+8 for 300 points and Ianetta C+4 for 260 points. Pingers will actually rank both players higher than Joe Mauer. Molina is likely the higher ranked player for many players with his better arm. Joe Mauer has the same C+8 and speed B(14); however, he is a 10 with 18-20 2B for 350 points. Moneyballers will find this move valuable than Molina or Ianetta (though they would settle for them). Pure pingers will think Mauer is pulling points away from the rest of the line-up without even hitting a homer.

               Small batters are going to want Mauer or Molina if they are looking to hit at catcher. Molina singles on a 7 or higher and Mauer at a 9 or higher. Molina could be a cheap 3 hitter if someone wanted expensive 1-2 base stealing leadoff hitters. Mauer may ranked a bit lower but still a likely choice. Ianetta doesn’t single till 13 so he should be ranked lowly. Derek Norris is an 8, speed A(18) 20 HR, 18-19 2B, C+5 for 280 points. He isn’t going to steal a ton of bases and seems a lot of points for the card. Someone may like him. I foresee more Ryan Hanigan as a 6, C+9 (highest in the class), 19-20 2B with speed C(12).

               The best bench options here are likely Gerald Liard and Will Neives. Both are 7, speed C (8 and 10 respectively) for 8 and 6 points at the discount respectively. Both have 18-20 2B. Laird has C+7 and Nieves C+5. Both could easily find ways into starting lineups like Mike Redmond did many years ago. Tony Cruz, Jose Molina and Yorvit Torealba are 2 point players at the discount at 5 on-base.