2017 Fantasy Baseball: Top 10 catchers

Oct 2, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) bats against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) bats against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 24, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) connects for an RBI single during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) connects for an RBI single during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

4. Willson Contreras– Chicago Cubs

2016 stats- 76 games .282/.357/.488 12 homers 35 RBI

2017 Steamer- 108 games .271/.337/.432 13 homers 54 RBI

The Chicago Cubs used three catchers effectively last year and this year will use two depending on how much Kyle Schwarber can actually catch. The main man should be the 24 year old Contreras.

Contreras can also play first as well as the outfield, so even when he doesn’t catch, his bat will still be in the lineup.

The one thing you have to hope with Contreras is that his strikeout rate goes down. His rate of 23.7% last year was extremely high and much higher than his rate in the minors, although his walk rate was in line with what it was in the minors.

He’ll turn 25 in May and will be a part of one of the best lineups and teams in the league. I think he plays in more games than Steamer suggests. His positional flexibility can also help your squad as well.  The question you have to ask yourself is whether or not you want to use a higher pick on him or wait on someone like Salvador Perez.