Get ready for an exciting dive into the world of fantasy baseball! We're about to uncover some hidden gems and discuss the top catchers for the 2026 season. But first, a bold statement: Cal Raleigh, the lone Tier 1 catcher, is a true fantasy baseball MVP contender!
Our 'Rates & Barrels' series continues with an in-depth analysis of the catcher position. We've scoured the data and grouped players by their average draft position, providing an insightful look at roster construction and player value.
For those new to fantasy baseball, a quick glossary: 'ADP' refers to a player's average draft position, 'NFBC' is the National Fantasy Baseball Championship, and 'OPS' is a popular offensive statistic that combines on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
Let's begin with the elite catchers in Tier 1:
Cal Raleigh, SEA: Raleigh had an MVP-caliber 2025 season, smashing 60 home runs, driving in 125 runs, and stealing 14 bases. His impressive stats also include a .247 batting average, a .359 on-base percentage, and a .589 slugging percentage. In two-catcher formats, he was the third-best overall fantasy player! While a regression from 60 home runs is expected, projections still place him in the high-30s to mid-40s range, which is still incredibly impressive.
Now, let's move on to Tier 2, where we find some exciting prospects and established stars:
Tier 2A:
- Ben Rice, NYY: Rice is a catcher/first baseman eligible player who had a fantastic 2025 season, improving his strikeout rate and hard-hit rate. With Paul Goldschmidt back, Rice will likely get the majority of playing time at first base, but he could still maintain his catcher status and provide high plate appearances.
- William Contreras, MIL: Contreras entered 2025 as a highly-rated catcher/DH and played through an injury, still managing to accumulate a significant number of plate appearances. His second-half performance showed a rebound in bat speed, exit velocity, and slugging, making him a discounted bounce-back candidate for 2026.
- Shea Langeliers, ATH: Langeliers broke out in 2025 with a solid batting average, 31 home runs, and a few stolen bases. While Sutter Health Park may have favored his fly balls, his road performance suggests park-independent power. An injury-shortened season didn't hinder his overall workload, and he made sustainable gains in his swing decisions and defensive skills.
Tier 2B:
- Agustín Ramírez, MIA: Ramírez was a fantasy star in his rookie year, with an impressive combination of home runs and stolen bases. His underlying contact quality is strong, but his high chase rate and slow transition times could limit his playing time in the future.
- Drake Baldwin, ATL: The reigning NL Rookie of the Year, Baldwin is a well-rounded player with strong hitting skills and solid defense. His 2026 volume will depend on Sean Murphy's recovery, but he's a top-end catcher on a per-plate-appearance basis.
- Salvador Perez, KCR: Perez is a veteran catcher who consistently provides high-volume power. Despite his age, he shows no signs of a sharp skills decline, making him a notable value pick.
And here's where it gets controversial... Some analysts believe that Will Smith, the 'Oatmeal' catcher, offers one of the safest mid-round profiles at catcher, with strong power, runs, and RBI in an elite Dodgers lineup. But is he truly a better pick than Perez?
Let's continue with Tier 3, where we find some potential value picks:
Adley Rutschman, BAL: Rutschman's surface numbers have dipped, but his projections remain strong. Injuries have contributed to his decline, but he still has bounce-back appeal and could return to his earlier form of 19 home runs, 79 RBI, and 68 runs.
Alejandro Kirk, TOR: Kirk is an excellent defensive catcher with a good approach at the plate, which drives his volume. He provides solid power and strong plate discipline, often grouped with Gabriel Moreno as a reliable mid-tier duo.
Gabriel Moreno, ARI: Moreno has built on his contact and defense skills, with emerging power. His hard-hit rate has consistently been above 40%, and he's shown an improved approach in advantage counts. He could have his first double-digit home run season in 2026, with the potential to reach the mid-teens.
And this is the part most people miss... Tier 4 and 5 catchers often offer great value and potential for growth. For example, Logan O'Hoppe is a breakout candidate with excellent barrel and hard-hit rates, and intense preparation habits. He could easily finish as a top-10 catcher if he improves his strikeout rate.
In the later tiers, we find players like Ryan Jeffers, who has real mid-tier upside, and Bo Naylor, an exciting late target with an upside play.
So, there you have it! A comprehensive rundown of the fantasy baseball catcher position for 2026. Who do you think will be the sleeper hits and overvalued picks? Let's discuss in the comments and share our fantasy baseball strategies!
