The catcher position is no longer a wasteland in fantasy baseball.
A few years ago, you were hoping for 20 home runs and a .240 average. Now we’re talking about multiple 30-homer bats, real speed from behind the plate, and legitimate depth into the top 20. That changes draft strategy in a big way for 2026.
Let’s break it down tier by tier, with targets, fades, and key strategy notes for both one-catcher and two-catcher leagues.
- 2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit
- Fantasy Baseball Draft Rankings
- Fantasy Baseball Projections
- Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft Simulator
Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide: Catchers
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Cal Raleigh (C – SEA)
Raleigh sits alone at the top. The power is real. The volume is elite. The stolen bases were a bonus.
But here’s the question: what does he need to do to justify a second-round ADP?
The answer is simple. He needs 40-plus home runs.
If Raleigh hits 30 to 32 with solid counting stats, that’s a very good season. It’s just not a second-round season in 2026. Catcher is deeper now. You can find 25 to 30 home runs later. The positional advantage isn’t what it used to be.
In one-catcher leagues, fading the price makes sense. In two-catcher formats, paying up for the stabilizer is more defensible.
William Contreras (C – MIL)
Contreras feels like the safer early investment. Strong contact skills. Power. Lineup spot. He may not have Raleigh’s ceiling, but the floor is easier to buy into.
In two-catcher leagues, he’s a strong anchor. In one-catcher formats, the opportunity cost matters more.
Ben Rice (C/1B – NYY) vs. Shea Langeliers (C – OAK)
This is one of the most interesting debates on the board.
Rice gets a boost from multi-position eligibility and projected playing time. The Statcast page backs it up. He hits the ball hard and should accumulate at-bats.
Langeliers quietly made real adjustments last season. Strikeout rate down. Power intact. Steals chipped in. If the contact gains stick, he could outperform Rice straight up at catcher.
In one-catcher leagues, let the room push Rice early. Langeliers often comes cheaper.
Agustin Ramirez (C – MIA)
Ramirez is the cheat code.
He gives you power and speed from catcher. That’s rare. He stole 16 bags last season. If the batting average creeps toward .250, he’s a top-five option.
Think of him as a modern version of peak speed-tier catchers. The power-speed combo gives him category juice that most backstops simply don’t offer.
He’s especially valuable in roto and two-catcher leagues.
The Polarizing Name: Adley Rutschman (C – BAL)
Rutschman is one of the biggest swing picks at the position.
The surface numbers dipped. Injuries played a role. Underneath, the plate skills remain strong.
The real issue is playing time and role, especially with Samuel Basallo pushing for at-bats. If this becomes a timeshare, Rutschman’s fantasy value depends heavily on efficiency.
If he gets back to 140-plus games, 20 homers with strong ratios are realistic. If he’s capped closer to 110 to 120 games, he’s more of a back-end starter.
Price matters here.
Post-Hype Upside: Francisco Alvarez (C – NYM)
Alvarez is still just 24.
The power is real. The underlying quality of contact improved. If he stays healthy, 30 home runs is firmly in range.
In two-catcher leagues, he’s the perfect upside play. In one-catcher leagues, he’s a high-variance fallback if you wait.
Value Target: Will Smith (C – LAD)
Smith may be the best value among the top 10.
The lineup context is elite. Even with some missed time, he continues to produce strong ratios and counting stats.
He won’t run. He likely won’t lead the position in home runs. But at a slightly depressed ADP, he’s a stable, low-drama option.
Deep Fantasy Baseball Sleepers to Know
- Tyler Stephenson – Health is the key. When on the field, the hard-hit metrics support 20-plus home runs.
- Kyle Teel – OBP leagues should circle him. Contact skills plus sneaky speed.
- Carter Jensen – Power-speed profile with room to grow. Interesting late-round two-catcher play.
- Bo Naylor – Showed second-half improvements. Deep-league lottery ticket.
Fantasy Baseball Draft Strategy: One Catcher vs. Two Catchers
One-Catcher Leagues
- You can wait.
- Don’t chase the top unless Raleigh falls.
- Pair upside with floor if you stream or platoon.
Two-Catcher Leagues
- Secure one top-tier option.
- Embrace upside with your second.
- Speed from catcher is a real edge.
The depth at the position allows for flexibility. You don’t have to panic-draft. Let value come to you.
Fantasy Baseball Takeaways
- Cal Raleigh needs 40+ HR to justify second-round cost.
- William Contreras offers safer early-round stability.
- Agustin Ramirez provides rare power-speed upside.
- Adley Rutschman‘s value hinges on playing time and health.
- Francisco Alvarez remains a 30-HR upside play at a discount.
- Will Smith is a strong value in the top-10 range.
- Kyle Teel and Carter Jensen are sneaky two-catcher targets.
- In one-catcher leagues, patience is profitable.
- In two-catcher leagues, locking in one anchor is critical.
Catcher is fun again. Draft accordingly.
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