MLB Projections: Top 10 Big League Catchers in 2020

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The 2020 season is fast approaching and fans are itching for some baseball. Who will be the 10 best catchers next season? Let’s look at our MLB projections.

Unlike last offseason, this Hot Stove season was set ablaze early. So much so that very few top tier free agents remain available at the time of writing this. So we here at Call to the Pen have taken to make some MLB projections at every position.

Today, we’re going to take a look at the top 10 catchers for the 2020 season. To make this determination, we have used “Steamer” projections. A system that “uses past performance and aging trends to develop a future projection for players.”

We begin with…

#10 – Carson Kelly, Arizona Diamondbacks

Carson Kelly is a 4-year veteran of the league who finally took a step up in action last season. This season, the Arizona Diamondbacks are showing confidence in the youngster by making him the everyday catcher.

In 111 games in 2019, Kelly posted some decent numbers. His .245 AVG left a lot to be desired, but his patience at the plate (.348 OBP) and power (18 HR and .478 SLG) showed some promise.

Defensively, among all catchers with a minimum of 750 innings at the position, Kelly posted a 2 DRS, tying him with the likes of Yadier Molina. His defensive rating on FanGraphs is in the top 50% of the league, ranking 13th with a 5.6 Def.

MLB Projections: Top 10 Catchers in 2020

#9 – Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals

With 16 MLB seasons under his belt, Yadier Molina continues to be one of baseball’s best catchers. Based on “Steamer” projections, Yadi ranks 9th on this list as he has already turned 37-years-old and should start to show some signs of wear and tear.

Having already won 9 Gold Glove Awards, four of them Platinum Gloves, Yadi is looking to finish off his career with one more chip. He is signed for one more season and the chances of an age 38 return at this highly taxing position seem unlikely.

#8 – Mike Zunino, Tampa Bay Rays

Mike Zunino won’t wow anybody with his bat. In fact, chances are that he’ll hover around the Mendoza Line for the 2020 MLB season, right where he’s lived in 6 of his 7 big league seasons.

But that’s not why the Tampa Bay Rays like Zunino so much. Resembling his manager when he was a player (Kevin Cash), it’s his glove that makes him so valuable.

Among MLB catchers with a minimum 650 innings, Zunino holds a 12.7 Def rating in FanGraphs. His Defensive Runs Saved? Sixth best at +9 DRS during the 2019 season.

#7 – Danny Jansen, Toronto Blue Jays

Danny Jansen is a 2-year veteran of the Toronto Blue Jays who took on the majority at the catching position last season. Much like Zunino, Jansen left a lot to be desired at the plate, only slashing .207 / .279 / .360.

He does, however, flash a good glove. In fact, last season, Jansen was one of only 11 catchers in baseball to catch a minimum of 850 innings. Of those 11, Jansen ranks fifth according to FanGraphs with a 17.4 Def. His 12 DRS ranked second among these catchers, behind only Roberto Perez of the Cleveland Indians.

Speaking of…

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MLB Projections: Top 10 Catchers in 2020

#6 – Roberto Perez, Cleveland Indians

After five seasons as the backup catcher in Cleveland, Roberto Perez finally took the position over full-time in 2019 and looks to never look back. With 24 home runs and a .774 OPS, Perez will look to improve offensively in 2020, but that’s not what makes him so valuable.

Last season, Perez was by far the best defensive catcher in baseball. He led all catchers in DRS with 29. The next closest catcher was the aforementioned Danny Jansen who posted a 12 DRS.

With the Cleveland Indians looking toward a rebuild, Perez will be the perfect veteran to usher in the next era of the “Tribe.” Look for the 2019 Gold Glove Award winner to win a second consecutive in 2020.

#5 – Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees

Despite the stats not necessarily showing it, Gary Sanchez’s 2019 MLB season was arguably his best as a big leaguer. That’s because not only did he return to form offensively, he drastically improved his defense as well.

For the 2019 season, Sanchez led all catchers with 34 home runs, slashing .232 / .316 / .525, but this doesn’t tell his entire offensive story. Remove July from the equation and “The Kraken’s” numbers change quite drastically to .255 / .340 / .585. What’s more, 33 of his 34 HR were hit in months not named July.

#4 – Christian Vazquez, Boston Red Sox

Like Roberto Perez of the Indians, Christian Vazquez spent most of his career as a backup in Boston. In 2019, however, he took on the role of everyday catcher and excelled.

Not only did he hit like one of the best catchers in the league (.276 / .320 / .477), but defensively he was one of the best catchers in the game. In 918 innings behind the plate, Vazquez ranks third in defensive rating according to FanGraphs, saving 5 runs along the way.

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MLB Projections: Top 10 Catchers in 2020

#3 – Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

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If you’re thinking that Buster Posey is past his prime and no longer a top tier defensive catcher in baseball, then you couldn’t be more wrong. Unlike the rest of the players on this list, Posey has never hit below .250 in a single big-league season and has the best career slash line of any catcher spoken of here (.302 / .370 / .456).

What’s more, he continues to be one of the elite defensive players in the game. Of all big league catchers with a minimum 800 innings behind the plate, Posey ranks 6th behind Roberto Perez in Def with 18.8. His 14 DRS ranks third among all catchers on this list.

In Posey, the Giants have the perfect balance in a backstop. He’s a catcher that hits for average and doesn’t strikeout. On the defensive end, he’ll catch a good game and make few mistakes. You just can’t miss with Buster.

#2 – J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies

J.T. Realmuto is arguably the best catcher in baseball. In what was considered something of a down year for him in Philly in 2019, Realmuto still managed to post an .820 OPS with a career-high 25 home runs. With that, however, also came a career-high 123 strikeouts.

Defensively, Realmuto is also one of the elite catchers in the game. In fact, his 27.8 Def ranks first among catchers in baseball, according to FanGraphs. His 11 DRS places him 5th in the league.

The fact remains is that there is little difference between Realmuto and the next catcher, but given some of the changes this next gentleman faces next season, “Steamer” projects him first. He is…

#1 – Yasmani Grandal, Chicago White Sox

Yasmani Grandal was awarded this offseason to the tune of 4-years, $73M by the Chicago White Sox. That’s an AAV of $18.25, which isn’t chump change for a catcher.

He was rewarded this type of deal for being the B to Realmuto’s A (or vice versa). It’s clear that In MLB, the title of the best catcher belongs to one of the two. Grandal, we’re assuming, is ranked above Realmuto because of ballpark factors.

Grandal, who blasted 28 home runs last season, will now get to play half of his games in Guaranteed Rate Field, the 5th ranked ballpark in home runs in baseball. So who knows how many dingers he’ll bash this year.

Otherwise, both Grandal and Realmuto are pretty similar.

Grandal: .246 AVG | .380 OBP | .468 SLG | .361 wOBA | 121 wRC+
Realmuto: .275 AVG | .328 OBP | .493 SLG | .340 wOBA | 108 wRC+

Defensively, Grandal is also a plus. In fact, his 23.4 Def on FanGraphs ranks him 3rd in baseball behind Realmuto and Austin Hedges. His 1 DRS ranks 12th behind Molina.

dark. Next. Nationals re-sign Daniel Hudson for 2-years, $11M

We happen to agree with the “Steamer” MLB projections in this regard. Grandal will be a huge part of the White Sox success this season, and it’ll be mostly because of his bat.

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