Ranking the top catchers in MLB approaching Opening Day

Honorable Mentions

Derek Norris

Moving to the pitcher-friendly Petco Park didn’t exactly hurt Derek Norris, but it didn’t help him either.  He posted a career-high in home runs (14), but also struck out at the highest rate since his rookie season.  Only 27, Norris could seemingly could return to his All-Star production.

Stephen Vogt

A second-half collapse (.217 AVG in the second half of the season) has Stephen Vogt‘s stock down entering 2016, but he was among baseball’s best hitting catchers in 2014 and the early parts of 2015.

Matt Wieters

Tommy John surgery limited Matt Wieters in the past two seasons, but he was once considered one of the game’s best all-around catchers.  Expect him to bounce back this season if he can remain healthy.

Kyle Schwarber

An elite power hitter at the ripe age of 23, Kyle Schwarber‘s future likely will be in the outfield rather than behind the plate.

10 – 6

10. Blake Swihart

Blake Swihart burst onto the scene with the Boston Red Sox in 2015 after a season-ending injury to Christian Vazquez, and the 23-year-old took full advantage of his opportunity. While his defense needs work, his .274/.319/.392 slash line bodes very well for the future. More importantly, he hit .303 in the second half of the season which should help him retain the starting job against the now healthy Vazquez.

9. Yasmani Grandal

Yasmani Grandal has never been a consistently productive hitter, but his 2015 season proved why he was a former top prospect.  With 16 home runs last season, he’s capable of providing pop at the bottom of a lineup.  He also hit .282 in the first half of last season, and if he returns to that form he can quickly become a popular name among catchers.

8. Brian McCann

While he’ll likely never approach a .300 average again, Brian McCann still possesses plus power at the plate.  His 26 home runs and 94 RBI last season were both career-highs and could be replicated in hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium. At 32, though, his best days as a defensive presence may be behind him.

7. Francisco Cervelli

Entering last season as career backup with the New York Yankees, Cervelli broke out in a big way in his debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The 30-year-old hit .295 with a .771 OPS in 510 plate appearances while also driving in 43 runs.  Cervelli hit consistently well throughout the season, which bodes well for his upcoming 2016 campaign.

6. Travis d’Arnaud

If it weren’t for injury issues that limited him to 67 games, Travis d’Arnaud would be a sure-fire top five catcher.  In only 268 plate appearances, the 27-year-old hit .268 with a .485 slugging percentage and 12 home runs.  It may be premature to place him this high on the list, but if he can stay healthy this season d’Arnaud will become a recognized force in the middle of the New York Mets lineup.

5. Jonathan Lucroy

Projected 2016 Stats: .282/.351/.412, 16 HR, 65 RBI, 4.9 WAR

After garnering MVP consideration for his dominant 2014 campaign, Jonathan Lucroy failed to repeat his breakout performance in 2015.  While his defense remained solid, Lucroy’s offense was limited by injuries, which led to his failure to make consistent contact.

Lucroy’s main cause for concern last season was his increased strikeout rate (10.8 percent in 2014 to 15.4 last season) and a walk percentage that decreased by nearly two points.  His OBP remained at a respectable clip of .326, but was far off from previous years where he topped .360.

A major positive for Lucroy was his improvements on the base paths, as he scored 51 runs in only 103 games – whereas in 2014, he scored 73 runs in 50 more games.  While Lucroy will never exactly be a speed demon, his increased aggressiveness on the base paths is cause for some celebration.

Behind the plate, Lucroy remains one of the game’s best pitch framers and all-around solid defensive catchers.  He threw out 27 runners attempting to steal a base in just 86 games at catcher, and nearly topped his previous career-high of 30 set back in 2011.

While Lucroy’s offense certainly diminished last season, it’s easy to see him returning to form at only 29.  Even if he never becomes a .300 hitter again, Lucroy provides near-elite defense and the consistent ability to get on base, something many catchers struggle to do.

4. Yadier Molina

Projected 2016 Stats: .277/.341/.381, 7 HR, 72 RBI, 3.5 WAR

Long regarded as the clear-cut best catcher in the game, Yadier Molina began to slip ever so slightly last season. Molina remains a solid contact hitter, but his power has been diminished in the past two seasons by a nagging thumb injury and it’s unlikely he’ll regain it soon.

Molina’s strikeout and walk numbers remained in line with his career norms, but he only managed four home runs in 530 plate appearances last season.  A .270 average is solid at first glance, but his .310 OBP is another cause for concern going forward.  At 33, Molina is likely finished as a consistent run producer. However, he did manage to drive in 61 runs last season.

Where Molina still shines, and should continue to, is behind the plate.  A 10.7 defensive WAR was third-best among full-time catchers last season, and Molina has long been regarded as a defensive guru.  While below previous seasons, he was able to post a seven DRS.

Going forward, the 33-year-old will likely continue his dominance on defense – but his best offensive years figure to be behind him.

3. Salvador Perez

Projected 2016 Stats: .267/.305/.445, 23 HR, 78 RBI, 3.2 WAR

Despite his overall lack of significant offensive contributions, Salvador Perez is partly responsible for a Kansas City Royals rotation that overachieved the past few seasons and has managed to add some pop to his game.  His 21 home runs last season were a career-high and helped offset a meager .280 OBP.

Perez virtually lacks the ability to draw walks, as evidenced by his 2.8 walk percentage last season, but he doesn’t strikeout much (14.8 percent) and manages to hit for contact on occasion.  After playing 150 games in 2014 and 142 games last season, it’s possible that a lack of time off has contributed to Perez’ low OBP.

Defensively, Perez has always been solid, but never spectacular.  A 12.0 defensive WAR and five DRS have given Perez a good reputation, but don’t place him among the truly elite defensive catchers in the game.  However, Perez is a proven winner and can lead a dominant bullpen and decent starting rotation.

As the Royals continue to establish themselves as a force across MLB, Perez has as well. While slightly overrated, Perez has just enough power and defensive prowess to keep him among the best in the game.

2. Russell Martin

Projected 2016 Stats: .255/.379/.478, 24 HR, 81 RBI, 4.1 WAR

Coming off a 2014 season that saw him hit .290 with a .832 OPS, Russell Martin played well in his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays before a sharp decline late in the season.  A back injury ultimately caused him to only hit .224 in the second half, but he still managed 11 home runs in that span.

Martin finished the season with a respectable .240/.329/.458 slash line and a career-high 23 home runs.  While increasing his power, Martin’s strikeout rate increased to 20.9 percent while earning slightly fewer walks.  Neither were major issues, but kept him from enjoying a truly elite season at the plate.  Despite his solid offensive contributions, it’s defense where Martin truly shined.

In 117 games behind the plate, Martin caught 31 runners stealing while helping the Blue Jays rotation with his pitch framing abilities.  A 12.2 defensive WAR was tops among catchers as well.

It’s hard to believe Martin is 33, but if last season is any indication, he won’t be slowing down any time soon.

1. Buster Posey

Projected 2016 Stats: .321/.383/.491, 23 HR, 92 RBI, 5.9 WAR

Arguably the only elite talent of the catcher group, Buster Posey has proven to be a dominant force at and behind the plate.  While his power dipped in the second half of last season, Posey posted a .318/.379/.470 slash line to go along with 19 home runs and 95 RBI.

What’s even more impressive, though, is that Posey managed to walk more than he struck out, while simultaneously lowering his strikeout rate below nine percent.  His plate discipline remains unmatched among major league hitters, and will continue to be a tool as he plays out his prime.  The 29-year-old has every tool as a hitter and should once again be a force in the middle of the San Francisco Giants’ lineup.

In order to preserve Posey’s health, the Giants have played him at first base sporadically to take pressure off of his legs behind the plate.  While Posey is still considered a full-time catcher, he started 37 games at first last season and could eventually see a full shift to the position.  Until then, Posey remains a great pitch framer and mistake-free catcher.

Next: Bryce Harper putting swagger back in baseball

Still in his prime, Posey’s run of dominance is likely to continue throughout this season and well beyond.