MLB: 2017’s Best Player Values at Each Position Ranked

C Martin Maldonado – LAA

2017 salary: $1,725,000

fWAR: 1.2

Before changing the filter results at fangraphs.com from qualified to a minimum of only 150 plate appearances, only seven catchers showed up on the list. But the truth is, 30-year-old Martin Maldonado is having a better season for the Angels than four of the names on the previous list.

In 185 PAs, Maldonado has a healthy .270/.339/.405 slash line to go along with 5 HRs and 17 RBI.

He’s not doing anything overly special, especially given his age and service time. But then again, the Angels aren’t paying him Russell Martin-like money ($20MM) this season for a .223 BA with 5 HRs and 11 RBI.

Los Angeles isn’t even paying  Maldonado the league average for his position in 2017, which registers at $2.195 million.

From a defensive standpoint, he’s ranked the eighth best catcher in MLB according to fangraphs. Maldonado’s .998 FPCT goes well with his 38% caught stealing rate, both two of the better numbers in the league at his position.

Without Mike Trout in the Angels’ batting order, the club struggles even more to turn the lineup over in games. Despite having registered the second most innings behind the plate in MLB this year, Maldonado has only the eighth most plate appearances for catchers.