Top 10 MLB catchers heading into the 2018 season

10. Tucker Barnhart – Cincinnati Reds

The top 10 list starts off with a player that flies under-the-radar due to where he plays. Cincinnati Reds’ catcher Tucker Barnhart cracks the list at No. 10.

In his fourth season with the Reds, Barnhart had his best season so far. On the offensive side, the 27-year-old held a slash line of .270/.347/.403 with seven home runs, 44 RBI, 26 runs and a 3.4 bWAR. Not exactly the most standout numbers when it comes to hitting, but the Reds’ catcher makes his mark on the defensive end of the game.

Barnhart ranked No. 1 in the NL in caught stealing percentage in 2017 at .438. He also allowed just four passed balls in 926.1 innings behind the plate. Currently, Barnhart ranks second among active catchers in caught stealing percentage at .372.

And with his stellar defensive season, Barnhart earned his first career Gold Glove award.

9. Jonathan Lucroy – Free Agent

Even though Jonathan Lucroy had one of the worst seasons of his career, he still makes this top 10 list. Lucroy’s overall career stats keep him as one of the top catchers in today’s game.

Last season, Lucroy started out with the Texas Rangers. In 77 games with Texas, Lucroy hit .242/.297/.338 with four home runs, 27 RBI, and 27 runs. With the Rangers knowing their slim odds of competing and Lucroy becoming a free agent at the end of the season, they traded him to the Colorado Rockies.

In Colorado, Lucroy played 46 games and posted a .310/.429/.437 slash line with two home runs, 13 RBI, and 18 runs. Lucroy’s down season came at a wrong time because of his free agency.

With 2017 being an outlier, whichever team signs Lucroy could get him at a bargain and get a terrific catcher at the same time.