Post by Sha-Le Unique on May 26, 2015 18:09:00 GMT -5
This is the first installment of position value ranks I'll also be doing at 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, the outfield for each league, and starting pitchers for each league.
This article is about not just who the most productive catchers are in this league right now, but also the most valuable on the trade market. Factors for this ranking include statistics, ratings, age, contract, and reward camps.
At the end, I'll also include the top 3 catching prospects.
Honorable Mentions: Gus Triandos (DET), Moe Thacker (STL)
10. John Roseboro - Los Angeles Dodgers
Reward Camp Usage: Hits Talent Increase, 3/25 PD reversal points
John Roseboro is a 31 year old catcher due for a new contract next season, but he is still on his original arbitration salary. Roseboro has good talents in hits and home runs, but is only average in doubles and walks. Defensively, his range is only a D, but he makes up for it with a B in throwing arm. He's thrown out 40$ of attempted base stealers this season. All in all, Roseboro is not the greatest catcher out there, but with the Dodgers already having as much talent as they do, Roseboro fits in nicely as a complimentary player.
9. Charlie Lau - Boston Red Sox
Reward Camp Usage: HR Talent Increase, 4/25 PD reversal points
Charlie Lau is a solid left-handed hitting catcher that the Red Sox acquired from the rival Orioles a few seasons ago. Like Roseboro, he's 31, but has good ratings in hits, doubles, home runs and walks. He's signed cheaply and is due for a new contract next season. Defensively, Lau's ratings are not the best, but so far this season, he has thrown out over 40% of attempted base stealers, which is very good for a catcher. Lau probably only has a few good seasons left in him depending on how PD's end up working out, but with only 1 reversal being done, there's plenty of wiggle room for Lau in the future.
8. Jim Pagliaroni - Milwaukee Braves
Reward Camp Usage: Hits Talent Increase, Catcher Arm Secondary Increase, 2/25 PD reversal points
Up next is Jim Pagliaroni of the Braves. At 26, he's already in his 8th season and he's due for a new contract in the offseason. His salary is a bit high, but with minimal loyalty, it's more understandable. Pagliaroni has never been the most productive catcher out there, but with those brilliant walks, he does have a career .349 OBP, which is pretty damn good for a catcher. Defensively, Pagliaroni has D range, but a B throwing arm. He's thrown out nearly 30% of attempted base stealers this season. Pagliaroni has only had 2 reversal points used, so Darryl has a lot of flexibility for future reversals.
7. Cam Carreon - Cleveland Indians
Reward Camp Usage: None
Flying somewhat under the radar because Ashes hasn't been around for a while is Cam Carreon, who is a solid backstop for the Indians and is still on his arbitration contract through 1966. Carreon was only drafted by the Giants, but the presence of another catcher on this list made Carreon expendable and he was traded in the deal that sent the great Al Rosen to the Giants. Carreon has good talents in hits and walks, plus brilliant strikeouts. He's only average in doubles and fair in home runs though, so he's more of a complimentary hitter for the Indians. Defensively, Carreon has A range, but only a C arm. Despite that, he has thrown out over 33% of attempted base stealers this season. Carreon has not had any reward camps done, but being reversal free so far is pretty nice, so Ashes has all the flexibility in the world to work with.
6. Earl Battey - Chicago White Sox
Reward Camp Usage: Hits Talent Increase
Usually, a 29 year old catcher with brilliant hits would be higher on a list like this, but that's how much catching depth exists in this league right now. Battey though a very good catcher, who is also good in home runs and walks, plus has brilliant strikeouts as well. He's only average in doubles, but the 6's make him above average. Battey's salary is more than reasonable for his ratings and defensively, he has both A range and an A rating for catcher arm. He's thrown out 30% of attempted base stealers this season. Statistically, Battey has never really exceeded his ratings, but the fact that he plays in pitcher friendly Comiskey Park should certainly be taken into consideration.
5. Gene Oliver - San Francisco Giants
Rewards Camp Usage: 4/25 PD reversal points
Unfortunately, Gene Oliver suffered an SEI last sim, but he's still one of the best catchers around and arguably the most feared slugger among catchers. Oliver was coming off consecutive seasons of 30+ home runs and 100+ RBI. The 3-time All-Star had already hit 16 home runs this season before his untimely injury. He's good in hits and his brilliant home runs include 12's across the board, which is awesome. He's on his arbitration salary still, but is due for a new contract in the offseason. With minimal loyalty though, he might be looking for a big payday. Defensively, Oliver isn't the best and has D range and a C arm behind the plate. He threw out over 30% of attempted base stealers this season. Oliver has had just one reversal done in the past, so if he falls apart during this injury, Spencer can certainly save his talents.
4. Katsuya Nomura - Chicago Cubs
Rewards Camp Usage: Hits Talent Increase, 4/25 PD reversal points
I love Nomura and particularly the 11 overall rating his home runs are at. He's simply a stud and has hit 30+ homers twice already in his career. Nomura is also good in hits, and average in doubles and walks. His strikeouts are the only other brilliant talent. Nomura is on his arbitration salary, but is due for a new contract and it looks like it won't be too pricey, according to the Cubs' extension thread. Nomura at that salary is pretty nice. Defensively, Nomura has a C rating in both defensive range and throwing arm. However, he's thrown out less than 20% of attempted base stealers this season. Nomura has had one reversal done back when he was a Red Sox prospect, so the flexibility is certainly there. Again, I love Nomura and he's someone the Cubs can really build around for a long time.
3. John Romano - Kansas City A's
Reward Camp Usage: Hits Talent Increase
Statistically, Romano has yet to really break out, but any catcher with good hits and brilliant home runs and walks is a stud. Romano also has brilliant strikeouts, but is only average in doubles. Romano's .351 career OBP is nice, but if he could turn into more of a run producer, he'd really be a huge boost to the A's offense. At 29, Romano is still on his arbitration contract through 1965 and he's been reversal free thus far. Defensively, Romano has B range, but only a D arm. He's thrown out just over 20% of attempted base stealers this season. Look for Romano to be a huge part of the A's future going forward.
2. Joe Torre - New York Mets
Rewards Camp Usage: Home Runs Talent Increase
I love having Torre as my young catcher of the future. He's an absolute beast and is currently hitting over .350 in his 2nd major league season at the ripe young age of 23. That brilliant hits increase he got was amazing luck I had and I really don't see myself trading him for a very long time. Chris tried hard to get him in the past, but wouldn't pay up. Anyway, Torre's only other brilliant talent is strikeouts. He is good in home runs, although those ratings are still developing at just 3's right now. He's also average in doubles and walks. Ideally, Torre will simply be a hits machine and hopefully, he will win at least 1 or 2 batting titles in his career. Torre of course is still on his rookie salary and is under team control through at least 1968. Defensively, Torre has B range and an A arm behind the plate. He has thrown out over 40% of attempted base stealers and this really makes him a dual threat as a catcher. I already increased his home runs in the past and he hasn't had any reversals to do yet, so all this just increases his value so much more. But there is 1 other catcher even more valuable than my man Joe Torre.
1. Tom Haller - Minnesota Twins
Rewards Camp Usage: Defensive Range Secondary Increase
Tom Haller is an absolute monster and should clearly be considered the most valuable catcher in the league. He's good in hits and brilliant in home runs and walks. His home run ratings being 11's across the board is the cherry on top and the sky really is the limit for him at just 26 years old. With just average in doubles, Adam could increase it to good and if I were him, I'd definitely consider doing so. Haller is also still on his rookie contract, but should get a sizable increase in arbitration next season. Defensively, Haller is C in both defensive range and throwing arm. He's thrown out over 31% of attempted base stealers this season. I really can't wait to see how his career turns out and he's without question the main cornerstone for the Twins to build around.
Top 3 Prospects
3. Tim McCarver - Detroit Tigers
Rewards Camp Usage: Home Runs Talent Increase
Tim McCarver could become a solid backstop in the future for the Tigers and he's already had his talent increase done to his homers. I don't like the strong winning desire, but if Trevor can keep him around later on, he could have a solid career.
2. Jack Hiatt - Milwaukee Braves
Rewards Camp Usage: None
Jack Hiatt is another young catcher the Braves have and if Darryl increases his doubles to good, he'd turn into a very good backstop down the road. The good hit s and brilliant walks are a great combo to have. Defensively, he won't be the best, but if he's getting on base, Darryl will probably be happy with that.
3. Dick Dietz - New York Yankees
Rewards Camp Usage: Home Runs Talent Increase, Defensive Range Secondary Increase, Catcher Arm Secondary Increase
I know Chris changed Dick Dietz to a 1B, but he should really be considered a catcher. I didn't realize until doing this that Dietz was already called up and possibly a bit early, but he's up nonetheless. His good hits and brilliant homers still have a ways to go in filling out. He's already had his talent increase done, as well as a pair of secondary increases, but he is reversal free thus far. Once Dietz fills out, he'll turn into another young stud catcher in this league. And with Yankee Stadium's friendly hitter dimensions, Dietz should have a great career ahead of him and he's only 22 years old.
1B rankings coming next!
This article is about not just who the most productive catchers are in this league right now, but also the most valuable on the trade market. Factors for this ranking include statistics, ratings, age, contract, and reward camps.
At the end, I'll also include the top 3 catching prospects.
Honorable Mentions: Gus Triandos (DET), Moe Thacker (STL)
10. John Roseboro - Los Angeles Dodgers
Reward Camp Usage: Hits Talent Increase, 3/25 PD reversal points
John Roseboro is a 31 year old catcher due for a new contract next season, but he is still on his original arbitration salary. Roseboro has good talents in hits and home runs, but is only average in doubles and walks. Defensively, his range is only a D, but he makes up for it with a B in throwing arm. He's thrown out 40$ of attempted base stealers this season. All in all, Roseboro is not the greatest catcher out there, but with the Dodgers already having as much talent as they do, Roseboro fits in nicely as a complimentary player.
9. Charlie Lau - Boston Red Sox
Reward Camp Usage: HR Talent Increase, 4/25 PD reversal points
Charlie Lau is a solid left-handed hitting catcher that the Red Sox acquired from the rival Orioles a few seasons ago. Like Roseboro, he's 31, but has good ratings in hits, doubles, home runs and walks. He's signed cheaply and is due for a new contract next season. Defensively, Lau's ratings are not the best, but so far this season, he has thrown out over 40% of attempted base stealers, which is very good for a catcher. Lau probably only has a few good seasons left in him depending on how PD's end up working out, but with only 1 reversal being done, there's plenty of wiggle room for Lau in the future.
8. Jim Pagliaroni - Milwaukee Braves
Reward Camp Usage: Hits Talent Increase, Catcher Arm Secondary Increase, 2/25 PD reversal points
Up next is Jim Pagliaroni of the Braves. At 26, he's already in his 8th season and he's due for a new contract in the offseason. His salary is a bit high, but with minimal loyalty, it's more understandable. Pagliaroni has never been the most productive catcher out there, but with those brilliant walks, he does have a career .349 OBP, which is pretty damn good for a catcher. Defensively, Pagliaroni has D range, but a B throwing arm. He's thrown out nearly 30% of attempted base stealers this season. Pagliaroni has only had 2 reversal points used, so Darryl has a lot of flexibility for future reversals.
7. Cam Carreon - Cleveland Indians
Reward Camp Usage: None
Flying somewhat under the radar because Ashes hasn't been around for a while is Cam Carreon, who is a solid backstop for the Indians and is still on his arbitration contract through 1966. Carreon was only drafted by the Giants, but the presence of another catcher on this list made Carreon expendable and he was traded in the deal that sent the great Al Rosen to the Giants. Carreon has good talents in hits and walks, plus brilliant strikeouts. He's only average in doubles and fair in home runs though, so he's more of a complimentary hitter for the Indians. Defensively, Carreon has A range, but only a C arm. Despite that, he has thrown out over 33% of attempted base stealers this season. Carreon has not had any reward camps done, but being reversal free so far is pretty nice, so Ashes has all the flexibility in the world to work with.
6. Earl Battey - Chicago White Sox
Reward Camp Usage: Hits Talent Increase
Usually, a 29 year old catcher with brilliant hits would be higher on a list like this, but that's how much catching depth exists in this league right now. Battey though a very good catcher, who is also good in home runs and walks, plus has brilliant strikeouts as well. He's only average in doubles, but the 6's make him above average. Battey's salary is more than reasonable for his ratings and defensively, he has both A range and an A rating for catcher arm. He's thrown out 30% of attempted base stealers this season. Statistically, Battey has never really exceeded his ratings, but the fact that he plays in pitcher friendly Comiskey Park should certainly be taken into consideration.
5. Gene Oliver - San Francisco Giants
Rewards Camp Usage: 4/25 PD reversal points
Unfortunately, Gene Oliver suffered an SEI last sim, but he's still one of the best catchers around and arguably the most feared slugger among catchers. Oliver was coming off consecutive seasons of 30+ home runs and 100+ RBI. The 3-time All-Star had already hit 16 home runs this season before his untimely injury. He's good in hits and his brilliant home runs include 12's across the board, which is awesome. He's on his arbitration salary still, but is due for a new contract in the offseason. With minimal loyalty though, he might be looking for a big payday. Defensively, Oliver isn't the best and has D range and a C arm behind the plate. He threw out over 30% of attempted base stealers this season. Oliver has had just one reversal done in the past, so if he falls apart during this injury, Spencer can certainly save his talents.
4. Katsuya Nomura - Chicago Cubs
Rewards Camp Usage: Hits Talent Increase, 4/25 PD reversal points
I love Nomura and particularly the 11 overall rating his home runs are at. He's simply a stud and has hit 30+ homers twice already in his career. Nomura is also good in hits, and average in doubles and walks. His strikeouts are the only other brilliant talent. Nomura is on his arbitration salary, but is due for a new contract and it looks like it won't be too pricey, according to the Cubs' extension thread. Nomura at that salary is pretty nice. Defensively, Nomura has a C rating in both defensive range and throwing arm. However, he's thrown out less than 20% of attempted base stealers this season. Nomura has had one reversal done back when he was a Red Sox prospect, so the flexibility is certainly there. Again, I love Nomura and he's someone the Cubs can really build around for a long time.
3. John Romano - Kansas City A's
Reward Camp Usage: Hits Talent Increase
Statistically, Romano has yet to really break out, but any catcher with good hits and brilliant home runs and walks is a stud. Romano also has brilliant strikeouts, but is only average in doubles. Romano's .351 career OBP is nice, but if he could turn into more of a run producer, he'd really be a huge boost to the A's offense. At 29, Romano is still on his arbitration contract through 1965 and he's been reversal free thus far. Defensively, Romano has B range, but only a D arm. He's thrown out just over 20% of attempted base stealers this season. Look for Romano to be a huge part of the A's future going forward.
2. Joe Torre - New York Mets
Rewards Camp Usage: Home Runs Talent Increase
I love having Torre as my young catcher of the future. He's an absolute beast and is currently hitting over .350 in his 2nd major league season at the ripe young age of 23. That brilliant hits increase he got was amazing luck I had and I really don't see myself trading him for a very long time. Chris tried hard to get him in the past, but wouldn't pay up. Anyway, Torre's only other brilliant talent is strikeouts. He is good in home runs, although those ratings are still developing at just 3's right now. He's also average in doubles and walks. Ideally, Torre will simply be a hits machine and hopefully, he will win at least 1 or 2 batting titles in his career. Torre of course is still on his rookie salary and is under team control through at least 1968. Defensively, Torre has B range and an A arm behind the plate. He has thrown out over 40% of attempted base stealers and this really makes him a dual threat as a catcher. I already increased his home runs in the past and he hasn't had any reversals to do yet, so all this just increases his value so much more. But there is 1 other catcher even more valuable than my man Joe Torre.
1. Tom Haller - Minnesota Twins
Rewards Camp Usage: Defensive Range Secondary Increase
Tom Haller is an absolute monster and should clearly be considered the most valuable catcher in the league. He's good in hits and brilliant in home runs and walks. His home run ratings being 11's across the board is the cherry on top and the sky really is the limit for him at just 26 years old. With just average in doubles, Adam could increase it to good and if I were him, I'd definitely consider doing so. Haller is also still on his rookie contract, but should get a sizable increase in arbitration next season. Defensively, Haller is C in both defensive range and throwing arm. He's thrown out over 31% of attempted base stealers this season. I really can't wait to see how his career turns out and he's without question the main cornerstone for the Twins to build around.
Top 3 Prospects
3. Tim McCarver - Detroit Tigers
Rewards Camp Usage: Home Runs Talent Increase
Tim McCarver could become a solid backstop in the future for the Tigers and he's already had his talent increase done to his homers. I don't like the strong winning desire, but if Trevor can keep him around later on, he could have a solid career.
2. Jack Hiatt - Milwaukee Braves
Rewards Camp Usage: None
Jack Hiatt is another young catcher the Braves have and if Darryl increases his doubles to good, he'd turn into a very good backstop down the road. The good hit s and brilliant walks are a great combo to have. Defensively, he won't be the best, but if he's getting on base, Darryl will probably be happy with that.
3. Dick Dietz - New York Yankees
Rewards Camp Usage: Home Runs Talent Increase, Defensive Range Secondary Increase, Catcher Arm Secondary Increase
I know Chris changed Dick Dietz to a 1B, but he should really be considered a catcher. I didn't realize until doing this that Dietz was already called up and possibly a bit early, but he's up nonetheless. His good hits and brilliant homers still have a ways to go in filling out. He's already had his talent increase done, as well as a pair of secondary increases, but he is reversal free thus far. Once Dietz fills out, he'll turn into another young stud catcher in this league. And with Yankee Stadium's friendly hitter dimensions, Dietz should have a great career ahead of him and he's only 22 years old.
1B rankings coming next!
