Last season, we saw one of the most outstanding performances by a catcher at the plate in MLB history. Cal Raleigh had an unexpected career season, scoring 110 runs, hitting 60 home runs, and driving in 125 runs, despite striking out a career-high 188 times. Raleigh was never considered a true sleeper, but the substantial numbers he produced could have put him on the fantasy baseball sleeper list. Is there going to be another Cal Raleigh in this list of catching sleepers? Not likely, but we can dream.
The Mariners catcher was expected to contribute in the power department, but not nearly the amount that led him to finish second to Aaron Judge in the American League MVP voting. You won’t find a 60-home run, 125-RBI player in fantasy baseball drafts this season, but the catching sleepers below could help boost your team at a deeper-than-usual catcher position.
When looking for a mid to late-round sleeper, you want to find an undervalued player that is in a lineup that can offer ample fantasy production opportunities. Here are four fantasy baseball sleeper options at the catcher position:
Catching Sleepers for 2026 Fantasy Baseball
Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles
Adley Rutschman looked like a franchise player in 2023 and 2024, when he played at least 148 games, hit 19 home runs, scored 68 times, and had 79 RBIs in each season. He’s not technically considered a “sleeper,” being ranked 11th in our Fantrax consensus rankings, but injuries plagued his 2025 season. He played only 90 games, and he didn’t look like himself on the field. He hit nine home runs, scored 37 times, and had 29 RBIs. His struggles showed in a career-low BABIP (.240), but he only struck out 15 percent of the time.
If the Orioles’ catcher can stay healthy, he will be in a prime spot to bounce back and be ranked in the top five of catchers. The Orioles’ offense has taken a massive step forward, with Jackson Holliday having a solid second MLB season and the team making key offseason additions. Pete Alonso joined the lineup from free agency, and Taylor Ward came over in a trade to add more power to an offense that ranked 11th in home runs last season (191). Rutschman has all the pieces around him to have a massive fantasy season if he can stay on the field.
Adley Rutschman is one of MLB’s biggest X-factors for 2026 👀 pic.twitter.com/iWRBlBZ3lu
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) December 11, 2025
Kyle Teel, Chicago White Sox
Kyle Teel had a decent rookie debut last season, when he hit .273/.375/.411 with eight home runs, 38 runs, and 35 RBIs over 297 plate appearances. He had an impressive .361 BABIP, but his ISO was only .138. Showing he possesses excellent contact skills, and lacks power.
The power is likely a focus point this offseason, which would benefit a White Sox team that looks to have a much-improved offensive lineup. Teel, who will likely bat in the two-hole, is set up to have a massive sophomore season.
Iván Herrera, St. Louis Cardinals
Iván Herrea had a solid 2025 season, despite missing time in the first half of the season. He suffered a left knee bone bruise, bone spurs in his right elbow, and a hamstring injury that hampered his time behind the plate. He ended up having to become a full-time DH. This position change will need to be watched next season in fantasy leagues. Due to only catching in 14 games, fantasy baseball managers will need to see if Herrera has catcher eligibility in their league before selecting him.
Last season, he hit (.284/.373/.464), 19 home runs, scored 54 runs, and had 66 RBIs. This production is the high ceiling statistics fantasy managers can expect from the 25-year-old. Herrera’s power is limited due to ranking in the 78th percentile for average exit velocity (91.2 mph) and 67th percentile in barrel percentage (11 percent). Herrea is a consistent on-base guy, but doesn’t offer the reliable power potential you’d want out of a DH-only player.
Harry Ford, Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals acquired Harry Ford in a trade with the Seattle Mariners this offseason. Ford was a top-ranked prospect but is blocked in Seattle by some guy named Cal Raleigh. Ford joins a Nationals team that has a weak backstop group. He will battle Keibert RuÃz and Riley Adams for a starting spot on the Opening Day roster.
The prospect struggled in a brief MLB stint last season. He had only eight plate appearances, hitting .167/.250/.167 with a 37.5 strikeout percentage, but this abysmal showing was a drastic difference from his 2025 Triple-A performance.
With the Tacoma Rainiers last season, Ford hit .283/.408/.460, 16 home runs, scored 68 runs, and drove in 74 RBIs over 458 plate appearances. He showed an excellent eye at the plate, walking 16.2 percent of the time and a 19.2 strikeout percentage. The Nationals’ prospect will be one to keep an eye on during spring training. If he wins the starting job, then he could be a solid late-round pick, although there are more reliable options.
The catcher position is possibly deeper than it ever has been in terms of fantasy value. So, other players could be considered additional catching sleepers, but I wanted to narrow it down to the four I believed could have a monumental impact on their team’s success for the upcoming season.
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