Welcome to February! While we know winter has a lot of kick left, this is the month when major league pitchers and catchers will report to spring training. In fact, they will begin reporting ten or less days away as the first clubs show up February 15th and the last, Cleveland, reports on the 17th. Clearly, baseball is in the air! At the Belly Up Fantasy website, the electricity of baseball has been felt for a few weeks now, as several articles have already appeared. To top it all off, the very first Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show debuted this past Sunday. Listen to the episode here. On that show, we ranked the fantasy baseball top catchers. The following is my list, from one to ten. To be clear, this list applies to head-to-head, points, redraft leagues, not dynasty. Debate is encouraged, so let us begin!

Fantasy Catcher Number One

JT Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies

First out of the gate is J.T. Realmuto. One of the veterans of the group, there is no need to be concerned about his age at all this season. In fact, there isn’t anything to be concerned about when it comes to Realmuto. Are you looking for home runs? He hit 22. How about stolen bases?  Realmuto stole 21 while only being caught once, almost unheard-of numbers for a catcher. Additionally, he can swing the bat, as his .274 BA, .340 OBP and .816 OPS attest to. He also very good at scoring runs, with 75 a year ago.

However, his most valuable asset as a fantasy catcher is the number of games, he plays in. He appeared in 139 games in 2022 and has played in 134 or more games in five of his seven full major league seasons. The other two he was in 125 and 126 games. The number of games played is important at the catching position in fantasy, even though the position is as strong as it has been in quite a few years.

Most managers will only want to carry one catcher on their rosters to concentrate on other positions. Realmuto solves that problem. He doesn’t come cheap, though, and anyone drafting him this season will have to pay a hefty price (most likely fourth round) for his services. Is he worth the it? My judgement: pass on him and take one of the catchers to come.

Fantasy Catcher Number Two

Daulton Varsho, Toronto Blue Jays

The player that I feel the most guilt about including on this list is Daulton Varsho. However, I will get over it and so should you if you select him in this year’s fantasy draft. The reason for the guilt is that it is quite possible that Varsho will not see a single game behind the plate in 2023. Toronto has no reason to play Varsho back there and he will likely lose his catcher eligibility next season. That’s a problem for another day, however.

As for now, Varsho is everything that a manager could want in catcher eligible player. Varsho plays nearly every day (151 games in 2022). He can hit for power (27 homers) and has speed (16 steals). He drives in (74) and scores runs (79). Look for his only concerns to vanish in 2023: his .235 BA and .302 OBP will go up if for no other reason than the fact he is in a left-hand hitter as the shift ban will be in effect in 2023.

Furthermore, Varsho will be hitting in that excellent Blue Jays lineup, which is miles better than Arizona’s batting order a season ago. For sure, he will not be the value he was last season, as he could be had later in drafts. That will not be the case in 2023, as he is ranked by FantasyPros at number 67 overall. However, he can still be a value in that neighborhood and any manager taking him will be quite pleased with his season.

Fantasy Catcher Number Three

Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers

Firmly establishing himself as a catcher to be reckoned with, Will Smith, without question, deserves his place on this fantasy baseball top catchers edition. In the last two years, Smith has appeared in 129 and 137 games. He will not kill you in points leagues, as he was one of the few hitters to play a whole season and not strike out over 100 times in 2022 (96 in 508 ABs). His stats speak for themselves: .260-24-87, .343/.465/.808.

Further, Smith scores runs (68), and hits doubles regularly (26). His .276 BAbip is right at his career average so, expect no regression there. The Dodgers have lost some of their offense from a year ago, but it will still be one of the best in baseball in 2023. Smith will hit in the middle of it and there is every expectation his stats will improve as he is in the prime of his career. At number 78 overall, he will meet every expectation of a manager that drafts him in that range.

Fantasy Catcher Number Four

Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles

In fourth place and moving up fast Adley Rutschman was prominently featured in the fantasy baseball sophomore standouts article and his place is also secure here. Rutschman is the newbie of the catchers featured, but make no mistake, he is headed for as good a season as anyone. As the only switch hitter in the group and heading into just his second full season, expect that he will be in the lineup on a regular basis.

Additionally, Rutschman will string together plenty of games in 2023, as he appeared in 113 games last season and didn’t make his season debut until May 21. He hit 13 homers and drove in 42. Expect those numbers to at least double this year. He knows how to get on base, as his .362 OBP and 65 walks in 398 at-bats attests.

Baltimore should have a good hitting lineup around him, assuring he has plenty of opportunities. He is currently ranked 93rd among players by FantasyPros. As such, he makes for an excellent bargain going into drafts this season.

Fantasy Catcher Number Five

Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals

The oldest player (32) on this fantasy baseball top catchers edition and coming off a season in which he was injured, Salvador Perez clearly is the biggest risk/reward player on this list. Even with the injury issue in 2022, Perez still appeared in 114 games. Among catchers, his 23 home runs and 76 RBIs ranked third. Nobody expected that he would repeat his phenomenal 2021 performance and he did not.

For sure, the 48 homers and 121 RBIs he had in 2021 were far over his career bests. Even so, Perez has five seasons in which he has hit at least 21 home runs and there is every reason to expect that he can hit at least as many in 2023. He should get plenty of at-bats as the DH, as another catcher (see below) will see time behind the plate. Perez doesn’t face the injury risk he did a year ago with the fewer number of games he will catch, and his offensive numbers should rise because of that reason alone.

In recent mock drafts, I have seen Perez falling below his current 82 ranking among players by FantasyPros. If such a condition continues on draft day, even with the risk, Perez will return plenty of value for any manager that calls his name.

Fantasy Catcher Number Six

Alejandro Kirk, Toronto Blue Jays

In sixth place, and the second Blue Jay to be featured, is Alejandro Kirk. He was a true warrior a season ago, appearing in 139 games. His .285 batting average and .372 OBP were first among catchers in 2022 and he was one of only five receivers to get enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title. Unlike many other major leaguers, Kirk kept his strikeouts under control, as he only had 58 in 470 at-bats. Kirk can draw base on balls like few of his peers, as he was third among catchers with 63.

At 24 years of age, he is one of the youngest catchers in the majors. Additionally, Kirk can hit the baseball, as his 14 home runs and 63 RBIs proves. His .299 BAbip is one that he can easily maintain or even improve upon, so there is no regression worries here. At his current FantasyPros ranking of 118, Kirk looks to return plenty of value if taken in the tenth round.

Fantasy Catcher Number Seven

Willson Contreras, St. Louis Cardinals

Truth be told, there is no catcher that faces quite the pressure in 2023 as Willson Contreras does. After all, he follows behind one of the best at the position of the last several years and a St. Louis hero in Yadier Molina. However, Contreras certainly looks up to the task and the Cardinal faithful should love him, if for no other reason than St. Louis pooched him from their Chicago Cubs rivals.

That reason won’t be the only reason fans will be delighted with Contreras though. He can play the position and he can swing the bat. At the age of 30, he is a veteran but still young enough to have a huge impact. He played in 113 games a season ago and managers should expect the same in 2023. With Chicago in 2022, Contreras hit .243-22-55 with a .349 OBP and a .815 OPS.

Let’s face it, he was not nearly in as good a lineup in the Windy City as he will be in St. Louis. At the very least, look for his RBIs to increase as he will have many more opportunities to drive in runs in 2023. Best of all, it looks like Contreras has a better grasp of the strike zone, as he cut 35 strikeouts last season from his total in 2021 in roughly the same number of at-bats. In the end, look for Contreras to return excellent value if taken near his current FantasyPros ranking of 122 overall.

Fantasy Catcher Number Eight

Sean Murphy, Atlanta Braves

Another catcher making a swift move up the rankings has to be Sean Murphy. Last season, Murphy was in the equivalent of the Twilight Zone in Oakland and still put together a strong season. Seeing as how the stadium in Oakland is one of the worst offensive parks in the majors, that Murphy was able to post any numbers of note was an amazing accomplishment. Looking at his stats, Murphy did indeed post numbers in 2022.

In 148 games, Murphy hit .250-18-66 with a .332 OBP. He also scored 67 runs. His BAbip of .290 was up significantly from the .258 he posed in 2021. That is a stat he should be able to maintain this year. His home run and RBI totals have increased in four straight seasons. Here’s betting that he makes that five straight.

As has been said many times, the best ability is availability and Murphy has that in spades as he appeared in 119 games the previous season. Of course, the best news when it comes to Murphy is that he is no longer banished to the outer realm, as he was traded to Atlanta in the offseason.

The Braves intend to play him behind the plate and get him additional at bats as the DH. There won’t be many games where a manager will have a hole in the lineup because Murphy is on the bench. Atlanta has one of the best offenses in baseball and now, Murphy will find himself in the middle of it all. At 150 overall, Murphy represents tremendous fantasy value in 2023.

Fantasy Catcher Number Nine

M.J. Melendez, Kansas City Royals

Surely, after coming out of nowhere last season, MJ Melendez must be discussed on this fantasy baseball top catchers edition. Whenever Perez isn’t behind the plate this year, expect to find Melendez back there. When he isn’t, he will either be stationed in the outfield or as the designated hitter. Certainly, there will be plenty of opportunities to build up some impressive statistics for Melendez in 2023.

As for 2022, the Royals put Melendez at the top of their lineup 64 times. His outstanding 12.4 base on balls percentage earned him that privilege. Melendez can surely improve upon his batting average from a year ago, as his .217 is a concern. With the experience gained and the shift ban (he is a left-handed batter), expect a significant boost in that department in 2023. His .258 BAbip should likewise improve.

Clearly, when Melendez hits the ball, he puts a charge into it as demonstrated by his 18 homers and 62 RBIs. With the outfield and DH qualifications, Melendez will be listed on Kansas City’s lineup card quite frequently in 2023. If the Royals bat him leadoff again, he will have ample opportunities to pile up the stats this season. Ranked 158th overall, Melendez is my favorite catching value this season.

Fantasy Catcher Number Ten

William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers

Finally, we turn out attention to Willson’s brother, William Contreras. While no longer with the Braves after getting traded to Milwaukee, William finds himself in a pretty good situation in 2023. Only 25, William played in 97 games a season ago and barring injury, that total will surely increase by 30 or 40 games this season. In the limited opportunity he had last year, William hit .278-20-45. He averaged almost a hit a game, as he finished with 93. His other stats were quite excellent: .354/.506.860.

Surely, some regression is coming in 2023 as his BAbip was an unsustainable .344. Even so, hitting in a good Brewers lineup will give William every chance to produce a great season, not only this year, but for many more years to come.  At the time of this writing, FantasyPros has William ranked as the 165th best fantasy player.

If a manager decides to wait until the very last ranked catcher on this list to pull the trigger in the draft, that manager will be very pleased with the outcome. When was the last time that could be said of a catcher in the past few years?

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball top catchers edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!