2009 fantasy baseball catcher rankings 21-30 and beyond

January 28, 11:01 PMNY Fantasy Sports ExaminerLee Forman

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21) Jason Varitek – Free agent  Age: 36
2008 stats: .220 AVG, 37 R, 13 HR, 43 RBI
3 year average: .238 AVG, 47 R, 14 HR, 55 RBI
Notes: Given deadline by Red Sox to accept most recent offer.  Most valuable aspect doesn’t show up on stat sheet: leadership.  Too bad leadership isn’t a fantasy category.  

22) Kurt Suzuki – Oakland Athletics – Age: 25
2008 stats: .279 AVG, 54 R, 7 HR, 42 RBI, 2 SB
2 year average: .271 AVG, 41 R, 7 HR, 41 RBI, 1 SB
Backup: Rob Bowen
Notes: Saw time all over the A’s batting order last season.  Was leadoff for a while then spent time towards the bottom of the order.  Will be higher on catcher rankings next season.  Needs to build on average and extra base hits.

23) Jesus Flores – Washington Nationals – Age: 24
2008 stats: .256 AVG, 23 R, 8 HR, 59 RBI
2 year average: .252 AVG, 22 R, 6 HR, 42 RBI
Backup: Wil Nieves
Notes: Not bad for a 2007 Rule 5 pick.  Former Mets farmhand went from A-ball to the majors.  Missed final month of season with ankle sprain.  Should be fine for the spring.

24) Rod Barajas – Toronto Blue Jays – Age: 33
2008 stats: .249 AVG, 44 R, 11 HR, 49 RBI
3 year average: .249 AVG, 36 R, 9 HR, 33 RBI
Backup: Curtis Thigpen and Michael Barrett
Notes: Split time last season, so should improve on ’08 numbers.  Hamstring problems cost him time last year.  A 33 year-old catcher can’t afford a leg injury.

25) Ivan Rodriguez – Free agent – Age: 37
2008 stats: .276 AVG, 44 R, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 10 SB
3 year average: .287 AVG, 56 R, 10 HR, 56 RBI, 7 SB
Notes: Quite a fall from grace.  Former MVP winner and perennial All-Star now can’t find a job.  Talks with Marlins have seemingly died down and the Orioles opted for Gregg Zaun.  Is anyone else interested?  

26) Jason Kendall – Milwaukee Brewers – Age: 34
2008 stats: .246 AVG, 46 R, 2 HR, 49 RBI, 8 SB
3 year average: .263 AVG, 56 R, 2 HR, 47 RBI, 7 SB
Backup: Mike Rivera
Notes: Long gone are his days as a leadoff hitter.  Actually his offense is so respected that he batted either 8th or 9th last season.  Will have starting job because of contract and his strong defense.

27) Miguel Olivo – Kansas City Royals – Age: 30
2008 stats: .255 AVG, 29 R, 12 HR, 41 RBI, 7 SB
3 year average: .251 AVG, 41 R, 15 HR, 53 RBI, 4 SB
Backup: John Buck
Notes: Was promised starting job when he signed.  Expected to start off the bat but seems destined for a time-share with Buck.  Team figures to go with the hot hand. 

28) Jarrod Saltalamacchia – Texas Rangers – Age: 23
2008 stats: .253 AVG, 27 R, 3 HR, 26 RBI
3 year average: .261 AVG, 22 R, 5 HR, 20 RBI
Backup: Taylor Teagarden
Notes: The Rangers really like Teagarden which puts ‘Salty’ in a tough position.  He could be traded before or during the season.  If he is given a starting job and not sent back AAA then bump him up 9 spots.

29) John Baker – Florida Marlins – Age: 28
2008 stats: .299 AVG, 32 R, 5 HR, 32 RBI – Rookie season
Backup: Mike Rabelo
Notes: Not a great sign if you are a 27 year-old rookie and you play for one of the worst teams in baseball.  And if that isn’t enough, rumors have your team looking for a better option to replace you.  If he starts he’ll have great value here.

30) Kenji Johjima – Seattle Mariners – Age: 32
2008 stats: .227 AVG, 29 R, 7 HR, 39 RBI, 2 SB
3 year average: .272 AVG, 47 RBI, 13 HR, 59 RBI, 2 SB
Backup: Jamie Burke
Notes: Free-falling.  Mariners are looking to play prospect Jeff Clement more and could cost Kenji some time.  A weak offense and bad hitter’s park don’t help much.

Best of the rest: Brian Schneider (NYM), J. R. Towles (HOU), Gregg Zaun (BAL), Josh Bard (BOS), Nick Hundley (SD), Chris Coste, Ronny Paulino, and Carlos Ruiz (all PHI).