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2024 catcher rankings: Can Adley Rutschman take another step forward?

steve gardner, usa today
·2 min read
2

A wealth of young talent is creating a bit of a renaissance at catcher, a position that traditionally has been dominated by a handful of established veterans.

Though stalwarts J.T. Realmuto (11th season) and Salvador Perez (13th) are still among the position's top tier, there's been an infusion of youth over the past several seasons that has made it much easier for fantasy managers to find solid starters, even relatively late in drafts.

FANTASY RANKINGS: Top 200 overall players for 2024

In the American League, the Orioles' Adley Rutschman improved on his rookie year with 20 homers, 80 RBI and an excellent .374 OBP. Seattle's Cal Raleigh led all catchers with 30 home runs. Meanwhile, the biggest buzz of the spring surrounds the Astros' Yainer Diaz, who hit .282 with 23 dingers in a part-time role last year but will be taking over as the everyday starter.

In the National League, Realmuto and the Dodgers' Will Smith lead the way, with the Contreras brothers William (Brewers) and Willson (Cardinals) right behind. Keep an eye on second-year starters Gabriel Moreno -- a rare catcher who's a batting average asset -- and Francisco Alvarez -- whose 25 home runs led all NL backstops, but who hit just .209.

FANTASY RANKINGS: Top 200 overall players for 2024

In just his second season in the majors, Baltimore's Adley Rutschman made the AL All-Star team and won a Silver Slugger award in 2023.
In just his second season in the majors, Baltimore's Adley Rutschman made the AL All-Star team and won a Silver Slugger award in 2023.

Fantasy baseball catcher rankings for 2024

  1. Adley Rutschman, Orioles AL1

  2. J.T. Realmuto, Phillies NL1

  3. Will Smith, Dodgers NL2

  4. William Contreras, Brewers NL3

  5. Salvador Perez, Royals AL2

  6. Willson Contreras, Cardinals NL4

  7. Cal Raleigh, Mariners AL3

  8. Sean Murphy, Braves NL5

  9. Yainer Diaz, Astros AL4

  10. Gabriel Moreno, Diamondbacks NL6

  11. Jonah Heim, Rangers AL5

  12. Francisco Alvarez, Mets NL7

  13. Logan O'Hoppe, Angels AL6

  14. Bo Naylor, Guardians AL7

  15. Keibert Ruiz, Nationals NL8

  16. Mitch Garver, Mariners AL8

  17. Luis Campusano, Padres NL9

  18. Tyler Stephenson, Reds NL10

  19. Ryan Jeffers, Twins AL9

  20. Elias Diaz, Rockies NL11

  21. Danny Jansen, Blue Jays AL10

  22. Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays AL11

  23. Connor Wong, Red Sox AL12

  24. Shea Langeliers, A's AL13

  25. Austin Wells, Yankees AL14

  26. Yan Gomes, Cubs NL12

  27. Patrick Bailey, Giants NL13

  28. Travis d'Arnaud, Braves NL14

  29. Jake Rogers, Tigers AL15

  30. Gary Sanchez, Brewers NL15

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy baseball catcher rankings: Top 30 for 2024