Today's rankings should be less of a surprise. Everyone knows that there were two really good catchers in the American League this year. However, few people seem to realize that nearly all the quality catching depth mainly came from backups who exceeded their projections. Many owners also had problems when some formerly reliable performers hit the mid-30's hitting a wall at which many catchers begin failing rapidly.

After reviewing several leagues in which we participated, .2609 appeared appropriate for the median batting average. Given this stipulation, seventeen catchers appear draft-worthy by our calculations, two more than in the National League despite two less teams.

We drafted as many hits as misses this year, owning IRod (and then replacing him with Hall) and Pierzynski in a couple leagues, but we also kept expecting a rebound by Fordyce through July. While we didn't spend much money on catching this year overall, we'll try to spend even less next year while hoping for similar performances by some of the young catching crop finally maturing in the AL.

American League Catchers with Positive Draft Value

Quick Key to the tables:
AB = At-bats.  H = Hits.  BA = Batting Average.  HR= Home Runs.
RBI = Runs Batted In.  SB = Stolen Bases.  R = Runs.  B = Bats.  T = Throws.
Position(s) = Positions listed with 20 or more 2001 appearances.
4x4 = BA, HR, RBI, and SB in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters.
5x5 = BA, HR, RBI, SB, and R in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters.
DV = Draft Value.  DTCD = Draft Total Category Dollars.
AV = Actual Value.  ATCD = Actual Total Category Dollars.
LABR/Tout = 2001 Expert League prices; LABR for 4x4. Tout Wars for 5x5.

A brief review of what our dollar values mean:
Draft Value is how much a player should have gone for on draft day.
DTCD is the highest acceptable draft day price without a value loss.
Actual Value is how much a player earned this year.
ATCD is the highest price at which you could have owned a player without a value loss in leagues with an in-season salary cap.

Players are ranked in order from the highest postive draft value in a 4x4 league to the lowest.

1.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Ivan Rodriguez		442	136	.308	25	65	10	70	C-106
TEX Rangers		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	23		22		17		17		36
2001 Age: 29	5x5:	21		21		16		16		30

Perhaps the best all-around catcher ever, IRod appears to be slowing down. His knees are somewhat shot, indicating he only has two years or so left at catcher. Texas has to make a decision regarding what's more important to them: winning a World Series or keeping a Hall of Famer on his original team for his whole career. Rodriguez will remain an above average offensive catcher for as long as can stay behind the plate, but he's not worth ARod or Jeter dollars. If he'll accept Shawn Green money ($16-17 mil a year), Texas should probably re-sign him. More than that, and he'll simply be too big a drain on the payroll.

2.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Jorge Posada		484	134	.277	22	95	2	59	C-131
NY Yankees		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	15		15		11		11		20
2001 Age: 29	5x5:	14		14		11		11		13

Despite an impressive overall season, Posada seemed to tire in the second half. There are rumors that the Yankees are looking for a reliable backup (unlike Joe Oliver and Todd Greene) to keep Posada rested for September and October. Bump his value up a couple bucks if they find one, as Posada can maintain these power numbers while raising his average. Watch his strikeouts; if he can cut back a little, he might even jump up close to IRod in overall value.

3.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
A.J. Pierzynski		381	110	.289	7	55	1	51	C-110
MIN Twins		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:L    T:R	4x4:	10		10		8		8		2
2001 Age: 24	5x5:	10		10		8		8		2

A free-swinger, Pierzynski seems to hit most of the pitches at which he swings. He should probably be platooned with a decent right-handed catcher (not Tom Prince) since Pierzynski can't hit lefties at all, but he should stabilize Twins' catching until Joe Mauer arrives. Watch out for Minnesota in Scrabble tournaments that allow proper names.

4.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Rob Fick		401	109	.272	19	61	0	62	C-78, 1B-26
DET Tigers		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:L    T:R	4x4:	10		10		7		7		Res
2001 Age: 27	5x5:	10		10		8		8		Res

I have no idea what position he'll play next year, and I doubt the Tigers know either. He doesn't enough power to play 1B, probably doesn't have the arm for right, and Detroit won't let him catch. Hopefully, Dombrowski will realize that they need offense anywhere they can find it, and stick Fick back at catcher. A Fick/Rivera platoon would allow them to continue messing around with Macias and Halter as starters.

5.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Shawn Wooten		221	69	.312	8	32	2	24	C-25, 1B-21, DH-27
ANA Angels		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	9		10		7		7
2001 Age: 28	5x5:	9		9		7		7		1

He's hit solidly in the minors and can certainly produce for your team if he can find at-bats. As long as the Angels leave him in at least a platoon role, he'll be worth four dollars or more at the draft. Since half their team appears to be in flux, be ready to jump in should Wooten appear to be gaining playing time.

6.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Einar Diaz		437	121	.277	4	56	1	54	C-134
CLE Indians		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	7		8		6		6		5
2001 Age: 28	5x5:	8		8		6		6		5

While not as young as some owners believe, Diaz has some solid skills and should perform capably for a couple years. Like Seattle, Cleveland's offense will make almost any catcher look good. Be willing to draft Diaz for a few bucks, then grab his backup if you have a taxi squad. These numbers are probably Einar's peak, so be careful not to overbid.

7.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Toby Hall		188	56	.298	4	30	2	28	C-46
TB Devil Rays		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	6		7		5		5
2001 Age: 25	5x5:	6		6		5		5		Res

Tampa's probable All-Star next July, Hall continued hitting in the majors almost as well as his league-leading minor league numbers. A minor injury kept his counting numbers low enough where he might pass under some people's radar, but you should make every effort to draft him next year. Thirty RBI in 188 AB on the worst offensive team in the league is extremely impressive, and he could easily be the second most valuable catcher in the league next year. He'll also help your roto team more than Tampa since he almost never walks, so sim players should only draft Hall if they can afford to use his power low in the order.

8.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Dan Wilson		377	100	.265	10	42	3	44	C-122
SEA Mariners		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	6		6		5		5		2
2001 Age: 32	5x5:	7		7		5		5		1

Quietly gave the Mariners almost acceptable production from their catching slot, but he seems to be slipping after all his injury problems. Seattle's offense can make almost any catcher draft-worthy, but keep your bids below $3. You'll have a nice bargain if he can double that, and at least should get a little help in counting numbers. Wilson grew up in a suburb adjoining mine, and impressed enough people enough in high school where he still gets an occasional mention in the youth sports' sections in local papers.

9.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Greg Zaun		125	40	.320	6	18	1	15	C-35
KC Royals		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	6		6		5		5		5
2001 Age: 30	5x5:	5		6		4		4		5

Zaun is the catcher that I'd target on the free agent market this year, even over Javy Lopez and potentially Charles Johnson. I'd expect him to look for the security of a multi-year deal and starting commitment, and he could excel in the right environment. If he lands on a good hitting team in even an average ballpark, don't be afraid to bid close to $10.

10.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Jason Varitek		171	51	.293	7	25	0	19	C-50
BOS Red Sox		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:S    T:R	4x4:	5		6		4		4		10
2001 Age: 29	5x5:	5		5		4		4		10

If he needs clean-up surgery on his knee, he'll be out at least until the All-Star break. Don't draft him until you see him playing in spring training games without pain. The Red Sox are notoriously horrible when it comes to accurate injury updates, and Varitek's situation will likely be the same. He has the skills to excel when healthy. Pick him up cheap and hope for the best in '03, but don't expect much next season.

11.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Ramon Hernandez		453	115	.254	15	60	1	55	C-135
OAK Athletics		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	5		6		4		4		8
2001 Age: 25	5x5:	6		7		5		5		9

Hernandez showed a little more power this year while maintaining acceptable strike zone judgement. I think he'll break out next year, but bidders close to $10 might be disappointed again. Grab him if you see the A's moving him up in the order; once he learns to wait for his pitch, you'll want him on your team.

12.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Josh Paul		139	37	.266	3	18	6	20	C-56
CH White Sox		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	4		4		3		3
2001 Age: 26	5x5:	4		4		3		3		1

The northwest suburbs of Chicago seem to breed quality catchers, as Todd Hundley, Wilson, and Paul all competed in my hometown high school conference. Paul still doesn't have the plate discipline to support any help in BA, but he can run a bit, and a half dozen steals from your catcher are always nice. If Sandy Alomar stays, draft him in the endgame only, but if he can get 300AB, he might slightly improve on these numbers.

13.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Ben Molina		325	85	.262	6	40	0	31	C-94
ANA Angels		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	3		4		3		3		11
2001 Age: 26	5x5:	4		4		3		3		7

Bengie can't be happy about Jorge Fabregas' new contract. First Ben gets injured and the Angels replace him with his brother Jose, and despite Jose hitting for almost .300 points of OPS more than Jorge, Fabregas gets the deal as Bengie's backup. Molina could improve dramatically one of these years if he ever raises his walk rate, but plate discipline isn't a major forte of Angels' hitting philosophy. Stay under $6, and Ben will earn your money; more than that would be expecting too much without a new hitting coach.

14.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Bill Haselman		130	37	.285	3	25	0	12	C-47
TEX Rangers		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	3		4		2		3		1
2001 Age: 35	5x5:	3		3		2		3		1

He's always had talent but seems to be injured when opportunities open. He doesn't have the durability to start for anyone, but he won't hurt you for a buck. If IRod goes, his replacement should be worth owning. If its Haselman, stay with low bids, and instead target his backup.

15.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Mark L. Johnson		173	43	.249	5	18	2	21	C-61
CH White Sox		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:L    T:R	4x4:	1		2		1		1
2001 Age: 25	5x5:	2		2		2		2

L stands for Landon, but it might as well mean left-handed hitter, as his bat will keep Johnson employed for a decade or so. He has very good plate discipline and strike zone control, and while he doesn't have much power, he can help a team offensively in a limited role. The White Sox left him off last year's playoff roster after he spent the entire year with the team. We don't believe in chemistry, but it was still an unwarranted decision, hurting someone who could be very useful to them for a few more years.

16.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Greg Myers		161	36	.224	11	31	0	24	C-36
BAL / OAK		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:L    T:R	4x4:	1		1		1		1		1
2001 Age: 35	5x5:	1		2		1		2

Syd Thrift didn't think he was good enough to play for the 4th place Orioles, so Billy Beane picked him up to back-up Hernandez and provide a lefty pinch-hitter for the Wild Card team. Something doesn't add up, since Myers still has a little power and decent plate discipline. Oakland's already re-signed him cheaply, so if you need an endgame pickup, Myers will earn your buck.

17.		AB	H	BA	HR	RBI	SB	R		Position(s)
Geronimo Gil		58	17	.293	0	6	0	3	C-17
BAL Orioles		DV		DTCD		AV		ATCD		LABR/Tout
B:R    T:R	4x4:	1		1		1		1
2001 Age: 25	5x5:	1		1		1		1

After the Orioles picked him up from the Dodgers for Mike Trombley, Gil displayed decent defense and good OBP in limited action. However, his minor league plate discipline was abhorrent and his upside is limited. Considering all of Baltimore's catching problems, Gil could wind up as the starter with a good spring training although I think it's far more likely that they'll sign or trade for someone else by then. His dollar was probably a fluke, but catchers sometimes develop offensive prowess after several years in the majors. Check back with Gil after he hits free agency, and don't expect much until then.

Helpful American League catchers seem very stratified this year. We have a half dozen relatively young 24-26 year olds who at least can probably build slightly upon their 2001 stats. Then there are the veteran performers in the 28-30 range that can be counted on to provide solid numbers when they can stay healthy. Finally, we have a couple proven veterans with somewhat decent skills who shouldn't hurt you for a buck.

The National League experienced a bit more variation in the types of catchers available, but the message seems the same. Don't spend your money on an expensive catcher. The odds of injury remain high, and seemingly solid performers can disappear very quickly into negative roto dollars. Especially with all the young guns now available, take a chance on two guys, maybe even up to $5 or $6 in the AL, and spend your money on lower risk areas elsewhere.

Interesting American League catchers without Positive Draft Value will be discussed tomorrow.

Today's Fantasy Rx:Several potentially significant waiver moves and releases happened on the first day of free agency yesterday. Do you think any of these in particular will help teams, or were these just administrative moves. Send in your thoughts. I'll probably cover some of this week's "minor" transactions this weekend, and I'd be happy to include some user comments in the discussion.