Fantasy Baseball 2010 Catcher Rankings: Pre-Camp Version

With Spring Training right around the corner, it's time to churn out the complete 2010 FanHouse fantasy baseball positional rankings. We'll be starting with catcher. These rankings are in the standard 5X5 roto format and were compiled by FanHouse's current fantasy baseball staff of Matt Snyder, R.J. White, Knox Bardeen and Tom Herrera. We all ranked our own players and you'll find the average order of finish (we have also included the average rank, best rank and worst rank between us four staffers).

The top catcher shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. If it is, allow us to welcome you to fantasy baseball (or even being a baseball fan in general). Joe Mauer is fresh off winning the AL MVP and is still only turning 27-years-old in mid-April.

Player	Team
1. Joe Mauer	Twins
Unanimous top pick. Not sure anything else really needs to be said -- but you can click here for more if you wish.
2009: .365 AVG, 28 HR, 96 RBI, 94 R, 4 SB
2. Victor Martinez	Red Sox
A full season in the Red Sox lineup where he thrived in the last two months of the season will be nice. Don't give up if he hits a bad stretch, as Martinez is awfully streaky. Avg: 2.25; Best: 2; Worst: 3
2009: .303-23-108-88-1
3. Brian McCann	Braves
In four full seasons, we can see baseline stats of .270-18-87 in the triple crown categories. That's a worst-case scenario and he's only entering his prime. Avg: 2.75; Best: 2; Worst: 3
2009: .281-21-94-63-4
4. Geovany Soto	Cubs
It's not necessarily that we like a bounce back to the 2008 level, it's just that the catcher crop is pretty unreliable after the obvious top three. Soto has dropped a lot of weight and is refocused this time around. Avg: 5; Best: 4; Worst: 6
2009: .218-11-47-27-1
5. Matt Wieters	Orioles
Personally, I think it would be insane to take Wieters before a proven commodity like Posada, but I was outvoted. He'll definitely grow this year, but how much? Avg: 5.25; Best: 4; Worst: 7
2009: .288-9-43-35-0
6. Jorge Posada	Yankees
The 38-year-old slugger is playing with house money at this point in his career. He turns 39 in the middle of August and has played 162 games combined in the past two seasons. Great upside, but you better not count on a full season or consistency. Avg: 5.5; Best: 5; Worst: 7
2009: .285-22-81-55-1
7. Miguel Montero	Diamondbacks
Lots of promise here and Montero will see much better pitches this season as he won't be thrust into the four-hole again. Avg: 7.25; Best: 5; Worst: 9
2009: .294-16-59-61-1
8. Russell Martin	Dodgers
The 26-year-old former All-Star looked like a superstar in the making back in 2007, but he's badly regressed for two straight seasons. Avg: 7.75; Best: 6; Worst: 10
2009: .250-7-53-63-11
9. Kurt Suzuki	A's
Good value here. Suzuki more than doubled his power output from 2008 to 2009 in just 26 more plate appearances. He's still only 26 and can run. Avg: 9.25; Best: 8; Worst: 11
2009: .274-15-88-74-8
10. Mike Napoli	Angels
Being bad at defense doesn't directly impact Napoli's fantasy standing, but it keeps him out of the lineup enough to hurt him. Still a good power/speed combo with a serviceable average. Avg:10.5; Best: 8; Worst: 12
2009: .272-20-56-60-3
11. Chris Iannetta	Rockies
Still waiting on that breakout season? Fret not, he's still only 26. Definitely have him in your lineup at home, but having a backup who can step in on the road wouldn't hurt for the time being. Avg: 11; Best: 9; Worst: 13
2009: .228-16-52-41-0
12. Bengie Molina	Giants
Hit .309 with an .856 OPS at home last year, compared to just .225 and .610 on the road. Avg: 11.75; Best: 10; Worst: 15
2009: .265-20-80-52-0
13. Ryan Doumit	Pirates
The upside here is 20-homer power, but the downside is Doumit's inability to avoid a DL-stint. Down around this ranking, though, it's worth rolling the dice. Avg: 12.5; Best: 12; Worst: 13
2009: .250-10-38-31-4
14. Yadier Molina	Cardinals
Unfortunately, you don't get any help in fantasy from Molina's defensive prowess. You will get a solid batting average and those nine steals last year were a nice addition to his repertoire. Avg: 14.75; Best: 14; Worst: 16
2009: .293-6-54-45-9
15. A.J. Pierzynski	White Sox
An uninspiring choice, but he'll get you into the teens in home runs and won't kill your batting average (just don't expect .300 again). Avg: 15.25: Best: 14: Worst: 16
2009: .300-13-49-57-1

16. Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
17. John Baker, Marlins
18. Ramon Hernandez, Reds
19. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Rangers
20. Miguel Olivo, Rockies
21. Kelly Shoppach, Rays
22. John Buck, Blue Jays
23. Buster Posey, Giants
24. Ivan Rodriguez, Nationals
25. Gerald Laird, Tigers
26. Carlos Santana, Indians
27. Nick Hundley, Padres
28. Dioner Navarro, Rays
29. Jesus Flores, Nationals
30. Rod Barajas, Blue Jays
31. Yorvit Torrealba, free agent
32. Jason Castro, Astros
33. Taylor Teagarden, Rangers
34. Gregg Zaun, Brewers
35. J.R. Towles, Astros