The catching position used to be a thin pool of fantasy-worthy talent; however, the position has gotten deeper over the last few seasons. In the upcoming season, the catcher tier list looks to be deep once again, with the top two tiers rich with elite production, and a minor drop-off through the next three tiers.
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When it comes to how to draft the catcher position for the upcoming season, the top two catcher tiers are worth selecting early, but the position may be the deepest it’s ever been. This depth will allow fantasy managers to be more patient selecting their starter than they could in the past. Any player selected in the top five tiers of the catcher tier list offers valuable production to help your team get to your fantasy league’s championship.
This strategy is dependent on the roster structure in your league. In one-catcher formats, managers can afford to be patient, but in two-catcher formats, it’s worth selecting a top-tier catcher early and following that with a middle-tier player. The bottom tiers are risky because they offer minimal production or may be replaced during the season. For more rankings, you can check out our Fantrax staff’s catcher consensus rankings. Below is my 2026 catcher tier list.
Fantasy Baseball Catcher Tier List
Tier 1 – The GOAT
- Cal Raleigh (SEA – C)
It’d be disrespectful to Cal Raleigh to put another player in this top tier after the season he just had. His 60 home runs were enough to set single-season records for switch-hitters, primary catchers, and the Seattle Mariners’ franchise. There will obviously be a regression in 2026 for Raleigh, although even with a dip, his power production makes him the obvious number one catcher off the draft board. His .248 BABIP was the second-lowest in his five-year career, which makes his contact skills the only below-average aspect of the Big Dumper’s skillset.
Cal Raleigh’s power was unmatched during his magical 2025 season 🔱 pic.twitter.com/YvhEy25MtE
— MLB (@MLB) November 17, 2025
Tier 2 – The Rest of the Elite
- William Contreras (MIL – C)
- Shea Langeliers (ATH – C)
- Hunter Goodman (COL – C)
- Salvador Perez (KC – C/1B)
William Contreras had a slight regression after a career-best 2024 season, where the Brewer hit 23 home runs and drove in 92 RBIs. His contact skills last season took a drastic dip, with his .299 BABIP being under .330 for the first time since the 2021 season. If Contreras can improve on his career-worst 6.4 barrel percentage from last season, it will go a long way toward bringing back his power production.
Shea Langeliers will benefit from another season hitting in Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park, although he only hit 12 of his career-high 31 home runs there. Despite his power increase, the Athletics catcher raised his BABIP to a career-high .290. Expect another season where Langeliers produces production all across the stat sheet, except for stolen bases.
Seeing Hunter Goodman in tier two, I’m sure you’re saying, “Duh, he hits in Coors Field”. However, only 13 of his 31 home runs last season came at home, although a .366 BABIP in Denver heavily swayed his .331 overall average. Look for Goodman to repeat his 2025 breakout season.
Despite turning 35 last season, Salvador Perez produced 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. That was his most home runs since 2021. However, this power came at a cost. He suffered his worst batting average (.236) and OBP (.284) since the 2018 season. Perez turns 36 in May, so one would think there’d be a slight decline in production, but he’s proven to be durable as he gets older, playing in at least 155 games in the last two seasons.
William Contreras' home run celebration was COLD 🥶#NLDS pic.twitter.com/5gAD2hQjiT
— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2025
Tier 3 – The Drop-offs
- Drake Baldwin (ATL – C)
- Ben Rice (NYY – C/1B)
- Agustin Ramirez (MIA – C)
- Will Smith (LAD – C)
- Adley Rutschman (BAL – C)
- Alejandro Kirk (TOR – C)
The 2025 NL Rookie of the Year, Drake Baldwin, had a successful MLB debut. While splitting time for a majority of the season with Sean Murphy, Baldwin was able to score 56 runs, hit 19 home runs, and had 80 RBIs over 446 plate appearances. Baldwin will take over the primary catching duties in the upcoming season, so look for him to increase his .289 BABIP with regular at-bats.
Ben Rice bounced back last season after a disappointing rookie debut in 2024. He took advantage of the short porch in right field of Yankee Stadium, hitting 14 of his 26 home runs at home. He struggles against left-handed pitchers (.221 BABIP), which kept him to only 119 plate appearances against them in 2025, compared to 411 against righties. Rice’s main appeal is that he will be catcher-eligible despite likely not playing the position next season with Austin Wells’s emergence.
Agustín Ramírez had an exceptional 2025 rookie season, scoring 72 runs, hitting 21 home runs, 67 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases over 585 plate appearances. His slash line was underwhelming, .231/.287/.413; however, the power production and stolen base opportunity are far more appealing at a weaker fantasy position in those categories.
Will Smith had his lowest production (17 home runs, 64 runs, and 61 RBIs) since his rookie season in 2019, excluding the shortened 2020 season. His season was cut short after suffering a hairline fracture in his throwing hand from a foul tip on September 3. He played in one more game before missing the rest of the regular season. Batting fourth in a loaded Dodgers’ lineup will give Smith ample opportunities to improve his lackluster 2025 numbers.
Adley Rutschman’s 2025 season was plagued by injuries, and he wasn’t himself when he was on the field, posting a career-low .240 BABIP. If he can stay healthy, the additions of Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward to the Orioles’ lineup will offer a fantasy boost to Rutschman.
Alejandro Kirk set career highs last season in home runs (15) and RBIs (76). The mainly defensive catcher should continue to be a fantasy contributor while in the middle of a strong Blue Jays lineup.
Drake Baldwin wins NL Rookie of the Year‼
️He's just the second Braves catcher ever to be named Rookie of the Year 🏆 pic.twitter.com/dpsN39BiuI
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 11, 2025
Tier 4 – The Bouncebackers
- Iván Herrera (STL – C)
- Yainer Diaz (HOU – C)
- Gabriel Moreno (ARI – C)
- Francisco Alvarez (NYM – C)
- Ryan Jeffers (MIN – C)
- Dillon Dingler (DET – C)
Last season, Iván Herrera hit (.284/.373/.464), 19 home runs, scored 54 runs, and had 66 RBIs. However, due to multiple injuries, he was mainly forced to just DH. This may affect his catcher position eligibility in many fantasy leagues. Keep an eye on his eligibility before you draft. He’s not as appealing in fantasy formats as a DH-only player.
Yainer Diaz has been a consistent producer the last three seasons, despite 2025 producing his lowest BABIP (.277). He will bat in the bottom third of the lineup, but the Astros have plenty of talent above Diaz to provide opportunities to drive in runs.
Gabriel Moreno hasn’t been a noticeable fantasy contributor in his four-year career due to injuries. He’s only played in more than 98 games once, but has a career .323 BABIP. If he can stay healthy, he will bat in the heart of the order behind a top three that consistently gets on base, unless Ketel Marte gets traded.
Francisco Alvarez suffered multiple hand injuries last season, forcing him to play in only 70 games. With Alonso’s departure in free agency, the Mets will need Alvarez to return to his 2023 form, where he hit 25 home runs.
Ryan Jeffers’ BABIP increased from .238 in 2024 to .322 last season, but his power suffered, with a career-low .121 ISO. He only hit nine home runs, scored 47 runs, and had 47 RBIs over 464 plate appearances. He will look to return to the 15-20 home run range that he hit in 2023 and 2024.
The FIRST Major League stolen base for Alejandro Kirk!
You simply CANNOT defend speed. pic.twitter.com/bXPVg47tvn
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 16, 2025
Tier 5 – The Last of the Worthy
- Austin Wells (NYY – C)
- J.T. Realmuto (PHI- C)
- Kyle Teel (CWS – C)
- Samuel Basallo (BAL – C)
- Logan O’Hoppe (LAA – C)
- Tyler Stephenson (CIN – C)
Wells set career-highs in home runs (21), runs (51), and RBIs (71) last season, his third MLB season. These stats are his only reliable fantasy production, as he has never had a batting average above .230. As a left-handed hitter in Yankee Stadium, Wells can be a worthy late-round draft pick for fantasy managers.
J.T. Realmuto is still looking for a team, but regardless of where he goes, if he’s in the lineup, we can expect a durable catcher who can likely hit 15-20 home runs.
Kyle Teel had a solid rookie season after a June call-up. In 297 plate appearances, he hit eight home runs, 38 runs, and 35 RBIs. He’ll hit at the top of a much-improved White Sox lineup.
Samuel Basallo was an August call-up and failed to back up his minor-league hype. He’ll look to improve his .187 BABIP in a strong, revamped Orioles lineup.
Logan O’Hoppe had a setback in the 2025 season after breaking out the season prior. The Angels catcher’s BABIP dropped from .318 to .267, and his ISO was a career-low .158, excluding his brief rookie season. The 30.8 strikeout percentage last season was rather alarming. The Angels are banking on a bounce-back next season after trading Ward to the Orioles.
Tyler Stephenson played in 88 games last season due to multiple injuries. However, with 54 fewer games, he nearly matched his 2023 season’s totals (13 home runs, 59 runs, 56 RBIs). If he can stay healthy, he will likely improve these numbers and become a viable late-round pick.
Austin Wells puts the @Yankees on top with a 3-run homer! pic.twitter.com/PnMmPvBjeU
— MLB (@MLB) June 8, 2025
Tier 6 – The Pretenders
- Carlos Narváez (BOS – C)
- Carson Kelly (CHC – C)
- Edgar Quero (CWS – C)
- Bo Naylor (CLE – C)
- Danny Jansen (TEX – C)
- Pedro Pagés (STL – C)
These catchers are the bottom tier of productive backstops. However, you can only rely on them providing 10-15 home runs and 35-45 runs and RBIs, unless an unexpected breakout like Carson Kelly had in 2025. It wouldn’t be ideal to wait this late to draft your starting catcher, but if you find yourself needing to rely on one of these options, you can find some quality; know it’ll be slightly below-average.
Tier 7 – Defensive Catchers
- Rafael Marchán (PHI – C)
- Patrick Bailey (SF – C)
- Keibert Ruiz (WAS – C)
- Joey Bart (PIT – C)
- Freddy Fermin (SD – C)
- Liam Hicks (MIA -C)
- Nick Fortes (TB – C)
Here’s a list of the remaining starting catchers; none offer any fantasy upside. They’ll likely hit under both 10 home runs and 30 runs and RBIs. If one of these catchers is your fantasy starter, then hopefully you hit big on players while waiting this long to grab a backstop.
Rafael Marchán is currently slated as the Phillies’ starting catcher, but with postseason aspirations, the team could add an experienced veteran to take over the job. Keibert Ruiz may get beat out by Harry Ford, a top catching prospect that the Washington Nationals recently acquired in a trade with the Mariners.
Tier 8 – Backups to Watch
- Jose Trevino (CIN – C)
- Jake Rogers (DET – C)
- Dalton Rushing (LAD – C)
- Kyle Higashioka (TEX – C)
- Carter Jensen (KC – C)
- Miguel Amaya (CHC -C)
- Sean Murphy (ATL – C)
- Harry Ford (WAS – C)
- Jimmy Crooks III (STL – C)
If you need to draft a backup catcher, these are players who could deliver reliable fantasy production if given an everyday opportunity. If you’re in a dynasty league, then Ford and Jimmy Crooks III are players you may want to consider. If they can secure the starting position, their hype in the minor leagues could turn into a promising MLB career.
These breakdowns, like the catcher tier list, combine players with similar values and contributions. If you’re unfamiliar with this type of list, check out how to use tier lists. These lists will give fantasy managers a source for quick lookups when their draft time is running low. Be sure to check out Fantrax’s other positional tier lists that will be coming out over the following weeks.
