The Phenom's Top 5 Fantasy Catchers for 2011

The Phenom's Top 5 Fantasy Catchers for 2011

1. Victor Martinez/ DET: Martinez is my #1 fantasy catcher based on his consistent power numbers over the last two seasons.

Projected 2011 Stats: .302 avg., 21 hr's, 93 rbi, 76 runs, 1 sb

2. Brian McCann/ ATL: McCann is my #2 catcher for the same reason as Martinez; McCann produces great power numbers year after year.

Projected 2011 Stats: .277 avg., 21 hr's, 85 rbi, 64 runs, 4 sb's

3. Joe Mauer/ MIN: Mauer is the best-hitting catcher in the MLB and candidate for another AL batting title. However, he only hit 1 hr at home last season and his power numbers are fairly inconsistent from year to year.

Projected 2011 Stats: .334 avg., 12 hr's, 80 rbi, 90 runs, 2 sb's

4. Geovany Soto/ CHC: Soto has shown that he can hit for a high average and produce solid power numbers as well. The only problem is that he has also shown us that he can hit .218 as he did in '09.

Projected 2011 Stats: .273 avg., 24 hr's, 78 rbi, 56 runs, 0 sb

5. Buster Posey/ SF: Posey could very well be the next great hitting catcher in the MLB, but he has only done it a little more than half of a season. I am being somewhat cautious here because deep-down I think he could be a top 3 fantasy catcher. I just need to see more. Remember what happened to Soto in his second season, after a great rookie season?

Projected 2011 Stats: .284 avg., 22 hr's, 75 rbi, 66 runs, 2 sb's

2011 Catcher Draft Strategy: Drafting a catcher early is like drafting a kicker early in fantasy football...just don't do it! Let the other people in your league take a catcher early, while you take someone who can actually hit 30 hr's and produce 100 rbi in a given season. None of The Phenom's Top 5 catchers have hit 30+ hr's in a given season over the last three years. Victor Martinez is the only one to produce 100+ rbi in a season over the last three years. Let's face it, there's no Mike Piazza or Ivan Rodriguez to choose from these days. Therefore, please take my advice and do not waste an early pick on a catcher. Besides, if you are in a competitive fantasy league, you'll get a shot at one of these top 5 catchers in the middle to late rounds. Here is one more piece of advice in regards to acquiring catchers for your fantasy team. Do not draft two catchers! In fact, you shouldn't even carry more than one catcher on your roster throughout the season (unless, of course, you have one of the top 5 catchers and he goes down with a minor injury and you need to fill their spot temporarily). Otherwise, draft one catcher and never carry more than one on your roster.

I challenge you to "Beat the Phenom"! Join my fantasy baseball leagues: http://www.fantasysportsphenom.com/index.php?p=1_11_The-Phenom-s-Fantasy-Leagues

The Phenom