Fantasy Baseball: National League LABR Auction Recap

Catchers

Not surprisingly, Buster Posey was the class of the catching crop, going for $25. The next two highest catchers ended up on the same team, with Willson Contreras and J.T. Realmuto getting scooped up for a combined $34.

While two American League teams ended up with a pair of $1 catchers, the minimum spent on a catching tandem in the National League auction was $4. The NL spending was more spread out, with seven catchers reaching double digits and four $1 catchers, compared to the AL, which had eight with bids of $10 or higher but six $1 picks.

The same team that picked up Cameron Rupp for $9 hedged his bet with prospect Jorge Alfaro at $1. While the catching situation in Colorado is still somewhat unclear, the league of experts certainly think Tom Murphy’s bat will eventually prevail over Tony Wolters. Murphy went for $10, while Wolters was scooped up for just $3.

One owner actually used his utility slot to draft a third catcher, ending up with Murphy, Tyler Flowers ($5) and Devin Mesoraco ($4). This should provide ample opportunity to turn a profit with a trade, as having three starting catchers is more likely to turn a profit if one is flipped on the trading block.