Let’s take a look at our top catching prospects for 2015.
Buster Posey – San Francisco Giants
You must pay for quality and that will definitely be the case for Posey, who clearly rates as the most coveted catcher in the draft. One concern is that Pablo Sandoval has departed which leaves a hug hole in the lineup and leaves Posey unprotected. That does not deter from the fact that Posey is still the best overall choice at catcher with his combination of power and lack of strikeouts.
Jonathan Lucroy – Milwaukee Brewers
Perhaps the most underrated player in the game at any position, Lucroy is coming off a career best .373 on base percentage based on one of the better walk rates in the game. Lucroy set a MLB record for a catcher with his 53 doubles last year. One of the best defensive catchers in the game, Lucroy should continue to be a top RBI producer. Lucroy is reaching his prime at age 28 and rates as perhaps the most dependable choices on the board.
Yadier Molina – St. Louis Cardinals
Molina rates as the epitome of Old Reliable and is coming off a seventh consecutive gold glove season behind the plate. Molina has lost power but rarely strikes out and will benefit from the strong Cardinals lineup that will likely ensure that he sees good pitches.
Salvador Perez – Kansas City Royals
Perez is coming off a career high for home runs with 17 to go with 70 RBI’s and is capable of more. Perez is still in the growing and development stages of his career at just 24 years of age and has carried a large workload during his time with the Royals. While Perez has been something of a disappointment to some observers we rate him as a player with plenty of upside and a potential bargain in the draft.
Russell Martin – Toronto Blue Jays
Martin is a big reason for the preseason hype and optimism in Toronto this spring. Martin cashed in with his best offensive season since 2007 to ink a five year deal with the Blue Jays worth $82 million. Martin should find Rogers Centre better suited for his power and manager John Gibbons has said that Martin could be in the number two hole which bodes well for run production potential. Martin has one of the better walk rates in the game to add to his one base percentage potential. Perhaps the only concern is if he maxed out last year.
