Hopefully you’ve already check out our 2025 Consensus Catcher Rankings. If not, I won’t hold it against you if you want to check those out before you come back here. Go ahead… I’ll wait… Ok, now on to today’s business. Below you will find our Catcher Profiles and Projections that will explain much about our rankings.
The profiles were written by a variety of our MLB staff. I did all the projections with a little help from a system called Projecting X. The system was developed by Mike Podhorzer, one of the top analysts in the industry for about as long as I can remember. I created a spreadsheet using the system with a little help from Tanner Bell and Smart Fantasy Baseball. Smart Fantasy Baseball features some incredible tools that help you be the expert you thought you already were. Tanner is also one half of the duo that write The Process, maybe one book I would recommend to anyone who wanted to get really good at it.
You’ll find that the projections below are pretty conservative. I could do some hot takes for attention-seeking, but hot takes don’t win leagues. Accurate projections do, and I’ll put these up against any in the industry. For now, we’ve profiled mostly just the catchers in our Top 30 catcher rankings. As the season draws closer we’ll add some names when playing time starts to get a little more clear. Don’t worry, I’m one of those 12-team two-catcher mono-league types so you know we’ll go deep.
Have fun and feel free to call us out in the comments. If there’s a catcher missing that you’d like to see profiled, let us know and we’ll move them to the top of the to-do list.
Francisco Alvarez, C, New York Mets
Francisco Alvarez had a disappointing 2024 campaign, but one has to wonder had he not injured his thumb, would things have been different? With a massive drop in his power production and a rise in his batting average, he may have been compensating for power by trying to spread the ball over the field. Still, he’s young, he’s displayed power before, and he will be a fixture behind the plate for the Mets. He’s worth a shot in leagues to see if he can reclaim his 2023 form and live up to the hype he had while in the Minor Leagues. – Dave Funnell
Miguel Amaya, C, Chicago Cubs
Miguel Amaya’s offensive production was underwhelming in his first real chance to play every day. Digging into his profile, there is really nothing to get too excited about. He should see some positive regression to his batting average, but he is not going to steal any bases or hit many home runs. The real question is how long he can fend off top prospect Moises Ballesteros for the primary catcher role. If you need a catcher for Opening Day, Amaya is an option, but he is unlikely to remain a viable fantasy option throughout the 2025 season. – Matt Heckman
Patrick Bailey, C, San Francisco Giants
After a promising 2024 rookie season, Patrick Bailey took a step backward in 2025, posting similar numbers despite more games played. His strength might be his real-world value to the Giants, as he finished among the league’s best in framing ability and his ability to catch runners stealing bases. While that’s not a fantasy category you can use, it does give promise to him playing most days, which could lead to a small bounce back next year. Still, Bailey should not be counted on to lead your fantasy team. – Dave Funnell
Moises Ballesteros, C, Chicago Cubs
Moises Ballesteros continued his ascension up the Minor League rankings in 2024 and turned into one of the game’s best prospects. His 19 home runs in 2024 over two Minor League levels is about as impressive as his poise, giving the Cubs a real dilemma at catcher. For now, Miguel Amaya is poised to take over the reins in Chicago, but Ballesteros is knocking on the door and could force his way into the picture if he continues along this lava-hot path. There is also the option of the Cubs trading him away, given how weak the catcher market is this offseason, which could align him into a starting position. All in all, the future is bright here, but there are some unknowns for playing time. – Dave Funnell
Joey Bart, C, Pittsburgh Pirates
Once a top prospect, Bart has taken a while to find his footing, but over the last two seasons, he’s managed to cut down on the strikeouts while at the same time adding power. He enters 2025 as the starter but has several prospects waiting for their chance. Bart can be a second catcher in mixed leagues but the leash could get short in a hurry. Look at any production you get from Bart as a bonus and you won’t be disappointed. – Doug Anderson
William Contreras, C, Milwaukee Brewers
2024 was more of what we’ve come to expect from Contreras. He’s the rare catcher who can provide solid power without compromising your batting average. He even added nine stolen bases last season meaning. Contreras rarely misses a game and has proven very durable during his short career. Draft him with confidence in 2025 and know that in his age-27 season, there’s a chance for another upgrade on the power front. – Doug Anderson
Willson Contreras, C, St. Louis Cardinals
Did you know that in 2024, Willson Contreras had the highest wRC+ amongst catchers with 300+ plate appearances? Durability is undoubtedly a concern in what will be his age-33 season, but Contreras continues to prove that when he is healthy, there are few catchers with more talent offensively. The shine on his name has worn off, which could turn Contreras into one of the better draft-day values at catcher. Even better for fantasy managers is the news he will serve as the primary first baseman in 2025 allowing him to stay in the lineup more often- Matt Heckman
Travis d’Arnaud, C, Los Angeles Angels
The Braves declined Travis d’Arnaud’s option for 2025 and he ended up signing with the Angels.. He’ll back up Logan O’Hoppe and will be 36 years old before the start of the season. Backup catchers, even ones of d’Arnaud’s caliber, are not worth spending draft capital on except in the deepest of AL-only leagues. – Matt Heckman
Elias Díaz, C, Free Agent
Elias Diaz had an up-and-down season, as he missed some time with a calf injury and was the focus of trade rumors this past summer. After being released by the Rockies, he signed a minor-league deal with the Padres to end his season, leaving it with uncertainty for the future. He is an unrestricted free agent this winter and should find a home somewhere to give him a chance to play. It’s important to note that his career numbers have been aided by playing half of his games at Coors Field, where he has a career .280 batting average, which is a far cry from his .251 career batting average overall. – Dave Funnell
Yainer Diaz, C, Houston Astros
Handed the starting catcher job in Houston, Yainer Diaz took his opportunity and ran with it. While fantasy managers were confident in his power, it was actually his hit tool that shined this past season. While his home run rate dropped off, Diaz still managed to bat .299 despite a chase rate that ranked in the second percentile in all of baseball. His plate discipline makes him a volatile option, but he is locked into an everyday role with 30+ home run potential which not many other catching options have. – Matt Heckman
Freddy Fermin, C, Kansas City Royals
Freddy Fermin showed some promise in 2023, and some had him pegged as the incumbent catcher for the Royals this past season. Instead, Salvador Perez stayed healthy and went back to his fountain of youth, giving Fermin inconsistent playing time and without a chance to gain any traction. While his overall numbers took a step backward, he still remains a solid backup if and when Perez cannot catch, but there isn’t much to grasp onto for fantasy. He remains an option for your team’s second catching option given that he should play more than other backups and he will likely give you some help at batting average. – Dave Funnell
David Fry, C/1B/OF, Cleveland Guardians
One of the biggest surprises of the season saw David Fry break out and become a valuable hitter. He had just enough appearances at catcher, but it’s worth noting that he hit just .237 after the All-Star Break, making him a huge risk for a player who had never seen much success heading into his age-29 season. The good news is that he hit well against all pitch types and shows enough patience at the plate to add a bump in value in points leagues. – Dave Funnell
Mitch Garver, C, Seattle Mariners
The talent level of Mitch Garver has never been in question, as he’s shown in the past that he can put together solid seasons. For him, the issue has always been health, as he has only surpassed 400 plate appearances once in his career, and that was last season. An even bigger cloud over his head is that 2024 could be considered one of his worst at the plate, aided by a .156 batting average at home. Next season he will continue to play in Seattle, and one has to wonder if these problems will persist. Garver makes for an intriguing option behind the plate, but fantasy owners are encouraged to have a Plan B if and when things go sour. – Dave Funnell
Hunter Goodman, C/OF, Colorado Rockies
Hunter Goodman came into the league with an impressive Minor League track record, where he hit .371 with nine home runs in Triple-A before getting the call-up to the Rockies. Unfortunately for him, that Minor League success hasn’t yet translated into positive Major League results. While it’s fair to say that the book has yet to be written on Goodman at age 25, the hope is that being the team’s number one catcher will allow him the time and space to develop, adapt, and grow into one of the game’s best back-stoppers. His profile is intriguing because of where he plays his home games, and there is some room for development here. All in all, it is a big year for Goodman. – Dave Funnell
Jonah Heim, C, Texas Rangers
Will the real Jonah Heim please stand up? The Texas backstop followed his breakout 2023 season with a disappointing 2024 campaign. While he doesn’t strike out a lot, he found himself chasing more pitches and swinging at more first pitches, oftentimes getting himself into trouble. While he’s likely to be the number one catcher in Texas, it is curious to note that the Rangers traded for Carson Kelly midseason. As it stands, it would seem that he’s a low-average, middling power option behind the plate who will play enough to be worthy of a low-end C1 in deep leagues. – Dave Funnell
Kyle Higashioka, C, Texas Rangers
Kyle Higashioka was the presumed backup in San Diego after being traded but set a career-high in home runs and plate appearances in his first season with San Diego. His increased home run total is tied directly to a significant increase in not only his fly ball percentage but also his pulled fly ball rate. Higashioka pulled over 46% of his fly balls in 2024 which helped him to hit 17 homers in just 84 games. His playing time outlook in 2025 is murky at best in Texas, but his 600 plate appearance pace last season was 39 home runs. He could be worth a shot late in drafts if you avoid the position early on. – Matt Heckman
Ryan Jeffers, C, Minnesota Twins
On May 14, Ryan Jeffers was slashing .290/.368/.629 with 10 home runs looking like one of the best catchers in fantasy baseball. From May 15 forward, Jeffers slashed .198/.269/.347 making it unlikely he is locked in as the everyday catcher in 2025. In 2023, Jeffers had a .359 BABIP. In 2024, Jeffers had a .238 BABIP. His true talent likely lies somewhere in the middle and fantasy managers should expect 15-20 homers with a .245ish average. The team still has Christian Vasquez under contract for another season and the two could split time next season. – Matt Heckman
Alejandro Kirk, C, Toronto Blue Jays
Alejandro Kirk’s 2024 season closely resembled the numbers he put up in 2023. However, Kirk was much better in the second half after the team traded away Danny Jansen. From July 27 forward, Kirk slashed .288/.349/.418. Kirk is unlikely to ever reach 14 home runs again, but fantasy managers should expect his 2025 batting average to look more like what we saw in the second half of 2024. Barring any off-season moves, Kirk is locked in as the everyday catcher in Toronto with little depth behind him. He represents a low-ceiling, high-floor option for fantasy managers late in drafts.- Matt Heckman
Shea Langeliers, C, Athletics
Shea Langeliers is coming off a career 2024 season. He made strides in the power department, popping a career-high 29 home runs and posting a robust .226 ISO. Outside of the power, there’s a lot to like about Langeliers. He’s improved his plate discipline by cutting his strikeout rate and increasing his contact rates for three consecutive seasons. He’s also proven to be durable, playing 135 games in back-to-back seasons. Langeliers’ sub-.225 batting average isn’t ideal, but fantasy managers will happily take power, durability, and a little bit of speed from the backstop position. Oh, and let’s not forget that he’ll be moving to a more hitter-friendly park in 2025. Langeliers is a top-10 catcher with upside in 2025. – Lauren Auerbach
Gabriel Moreno, C, Arizona Diamondbacks
Big-time hype as a prospect has led to disappointing fantasy results for Gabriel Moreno thus far. Injuries limited Moreno to just 97 games last season although there were some encouraging signs under the hood. In 2024, Moreno posted the highest fly ball rate, barrel percentage, and exit velocity of his career. Moreno is among the best at the position in making contact and working walks. Only 25 in February, the hope is that Moreno can tap into more of his raw power next season and unlock a new ceiling for his fantasy value. – Matt Heckman
Sean Murphy, C, Atlanta Braves
Sean Murphy suffered an oblique injury on Opening Day of 2024 and was never quite right the rest of the season. He posted career-worst marks in batting average, wRC+, home runs, barrel rate, and average exit velocity, a fall from grace nobody saw coming. The oblique injury certainly played an impact but it is concerning that Murphy has now played in just 108 and 72 games in his first two seasons in Atlanta. He should be healthy in 2025 and looking to bounce back as Atlanta’s primary catcher. 2022/2023 Murphy is probably a thing of the past, but he is certainly better than he was in 2024. – Matt Heckman
Bo Naylor, C, Cleveland Guardians
Bo Naylor struggled offensively throughout the regular season and into the Postseason this past year. His defense is not good enough to keep him in the lineup and fantasy managers should be concerned about his value in 2025. Stolen bases were projected to be part of his game, but he has already shown major regression in his sprint speed and went just 6/9 on the bases last year. The best case scenario for Naylor in 2025 is likely working on the strong side of a platoon where at least he posted a 78 wRC+ compared to 57 against lefties. – Matt Heckman
Logan O’Hoppe, C, Los Angeles Angels
From a batted ball perspective, Logan O’Hoppe could rank in the top five at the position. He pulls the ball well, has an excellent line drive rate, barrels the ball up, and hits the ball consistently hard. What he does not do well is hit the ball consistently as his 33.6% whiff rate ranked in the seventh percentile in baseball. While this creates a lower-than-desired floor for his batting average, O’Hoppe is still just 25 years old and is locked into the everyday catcher’s role in Los Angeles. For catchers, playing time can be worth as much as underlying data, and O’Hoppe is a lock for 125+ games barring an injury. – Matt Heckman
Salvador Perez, C/1B, Kansas City Royals
Father Time is no match for Salvador Perez. 2024 marked Perez’s eighth straight full season with 20+ home runs. Since the start of 2021, Perez has 28 more home runs than any other catcher in baseball. The Royals leap forward also helped Perez eclipse 100 RBIs for the first time since 2021. Similarly to Yainer Diaz, Perez’s lack of plate discipline gives him a bit more volatility than other options, but he is as safe a bet as any to finish with 20+ homers in 2025. Expect the Royals to get the 34-year-old off his feet a bit more in 2025, but Perez remains a premier fantasy option at the catcher position. – Matt Heckman
Edgar Quero, C, Chicago White Sox
Acquired from the Angels in 2023, Quero hit the ground running with his new organization. Since debuting for the White Sox in both Double-A and Triple-A, he has hit nineteen home runs and seen his batting average rise over one and a half seasons. The switch-hitting catcher exercises patience at the plate and he is gaining traction as a catcher too, making him one of the league’s best prospects at his position. It remains to be seen how it will play out between Quero and the newly acquired Kyle Teel. Both are among the top catching prospects in baseball and either one could get the call later in the season. For now though, fantasy owners should be prepared to look eslewhere to begin the season. – Dave Funnell
Cal Raleigh, C, Seattle Mariners
Fantasy managers know what they are getting in Cal Raleigh. He is not going to hit for much average but is going to finish toward the top of the leaderboard for home runs amongst catchers. Raleigh has hit 64 home runs in the past two seasons and probably should have hit even more last season. If you are looking for more upside, Raleigh slashed .286/.379/.531 in the final month of the season. Fantasy managers should expect home runs, RBIs, and consistent playing time. Everything else is just icing on the cake. – Matt Heckman
J.T. Realmuto, C, Philadelphia Phillies
Stolen base production and durability helped set Realmuto apart from other catchers in past seasons. 2024 featured neither as Realmuto appeared in less than 100 games for the first time in his career and stole just two bases. These are undoubtedly linked, as a knee injury resulted in Realmuto missing significant time. His sprint speed remained in the 79th percentile and fantasy managers should expect the stolen bases to return in 2025 to some extent. The Phillies remain without a significant option at backup catcher that could threaten Realmuto’s playing time in 2025. He could be a discounted option come draft season – Matt Heckman
Keibert Ruiz, C, Washington Nationals
It was a tale of two halves for Keibert Ruiz in 2024. After being sidelined in April with influenza and dropping nearly 20 pounds, he struggled out of the gate. However, things picked up for Ruiz in the second half. His power reappeared, with nine of his 13 home runs coming once the calendar flipped to July. Further, Ruiz finished the season on a high note. In his final 22 games, he slashed .277/.303/.398 — numbers on par with his career norms. Ruiz is one of the league’s best contact hitters and should rebound this season. Expect a bump in batting average (.250+) and power (15-18 HRs) in 2025. – Lauren Auerbach
Adley Rutschman, C, Baltimore Orioles
After an excellent Sophomore campaign in 2023, Rutschman’s numbers took a hit in 2024. Rutschman’s regression was especially notable during the back half of the season, where he slashed .207/.282/.303 with just three home runs. By the time Rutschman was scratched with a lower back injury on August 18, he was already well in the middle of his slump. Name value and prospect pedigree make it unlikely that Rutschman will see any discount on draft day in 2025. The one thing fantasy managers can count on is playing time as no catcher has played as many games as him since the start of 2023. – Matt Heckman
Will Smith, C, Los Angeles Dodgers
On the surface, Will Smith put together another solid season in 2024, but those who owned Smith may feel different. Smith struggled mightily in the back half of the year slashing .206/.295/.331. Digging in, the only real outlier from the second half was his BABIP dropping down to .238, nearly 40 points lower than his career average. Smith still managed to reach 20 home runs and batting in the middle of an elite Dodgers’ lineup will continue to provide him with strong counting stats. Smith is not the sexiest pick but is a safe bet for fantasy managers in 2025. – Matt Heckman
Tyler Stephenson, C, Cincinnati Reds
Tyler Stephenson is a contact-first hitter who racks up plate appearances. In fact, he is one of only six catchers who has logged 500+ PAs in each of the last two seasons. The volume is great, but it hasn’t amounted to a ton of production. Stephenson has yet to crack 20 home runs in a season despite playing half of his games in hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark, and his combined runs and RBI totals are mediocre. However, Stephenson doesn’t hurt you in any category and brings a strong batting average to the fantasy table. Consider Stephenson a solid back-end option in one-catcher leagues who gets a boost in OBP formats. – Lauren Auerbach
Kyle Teel, C, Chicago White Sox
Kyle Teel had himself a successful 2024 Minor League season, as he finished the year with 13 home runs and 12 steals and a .288 batting average. While his promotion from Double-A to Triple-A wasn’t too difficult, he did struggle at first going 6-for-51 to begin his tenure there. Still, the talent is there and he has a bright future. That future timeline is now a little more uncertain as he joins fellow catching prospect Edgar Quero in Chicago. Both look to be future starters and their ETAs are very close. One has to think Chicago will answer this question at some point during the 2025 season. – Dave Funnell
Austin Wells, C, New York Yankees
Wells’ 2024 season was the definition of inconsistent. He struggled out of the gates, and down the stretch, but slashed .307/.392/.567 from June 29 through August 31. Wells also hit .197 with zero home runs against lefties adding additional concerns. Despite this, he settled into the cleanup spot in New York’s lineup and his hot two months in the middle of the season provide a glimpse into the upside Wells possesses offensively. Expect more consistent playing time and a higher BABIP for Wells in 2025. – Matt Heckman
Connor Wong, C, Boston Red Sox
Connor Wong’s 2024 season came out of nowhere. He posted career-highs in home runs, batting average, and RBIs. His versatility around the diamond is a bonus, although fantasy managers should expect regression in 2025. Wong’s xBA was .233 and his xSLG was .363. He posted career-worsts in barrel rate and average exit velocity while a .348 BABIP was the driving force behind much of his success. Top prospect Kyle Teel is banging on the door of the Major Leagues and should factor into Boston’s catching rotation. Do not expect Wong to play in 126 games again in 2025. – Matt Heckman