Finding reliable production from the catcher position can be challenging in fantasy baseball outside the elites of the position, but here's a list of catchers you should consider targeting for your roster.
Danny Jansen, C - Toronto Blue Jays
Danny Jansen of the Toronto Blue Jays has been red-hot since returning from injury in mid-April. Jansen has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise slumping Toronto lineup. Since Jansen’s return, he’s been impressive at the plate, slashing .325/.426/.700.
In Tuesday's loss to the Phillies, Jansen smacked two hits, including a rocketed double. Even in his only out, he lined a 106.3 mph drive that almost became another hit. Toronto's offensive struggles could make Jansen essential to the lineup. As the Blue Jays rank 24th in slugging, Jansen's ability to both catch and DH should earn him significant playing time, offering him the flexibility to contribute daily.
Manager John Schneider is likely to keep him in the lineup as long as he maintains this production. While it’s unlikely Jansen will sustain his 1.126 OPS, considering his career average OPS is .755, he’s on a hot streak and should receive ample playing opportunity, making him a player I'd like to roster, especially in deeper leagues where my current catchers are underperforming.
Connor Wong, C - Boston Red Sox
Connor Wong has been instrumental in the Boston Red Sox’s success this season. Despite recent bench appearances against the Minnesota Twins and the Atlanta Braves, Wong has delivered impressive performances throughout the season. In 23 games, he’s slashing .346/.373/.577 with five home runs and 14 RBIs. During what I call his breakout game against the Cleveland Guardians, he went 4-for-4 with two home runs and ten total bases.
While he occasionally shares playing time with Reese McGuire, Wong's offensive and defensive consistency could soon make him a more permanent fixture in the lineup. During the San Francisco series, Wong made a remarkable play against Matt Chapman by charging from behind the plate to field a dribbler down the line and gun Chapman down at first base.
Manager Alex Cora tends to favor hot bats, and Wong's contributions could see him earn increased opportunities. Even if his current numbers cool down, he’s worth a roster spot due to his potential for offensive production at the catcher position.
Iván Herrera, C - St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals' young catcher, Iván Herrera, is now set for an everyday role with the team following Willson Contreras' injury. As Contreras was placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured forearm, Herrera is expected to step up as the Cardinals' primary catcher for the foreseeable future. He’s also in the lineup as a designated hitter and cleanup batter in Wednesday’s game against the New York Mets, perhaps signaling that Herrera will have opportunities to produce offensively even when he’s not behind the dish.
While Herrera will share some catching duties with Pedro Pages, who was recently called up from Triple-A Memphis, he should see the majority of playing time behind the plate. This elevated opportunity allows Herrera to prove himself, especially given his rather pedestrian start to the season, where he’s hit .232 with three home runs, 11 RBIs, and seven runs in 76 plate appearances.
Herrera’s first stint as an everyday player in the majors comes with both pressure and potential. His increased playing time makes him an interesting fantasy pickup, especially with the opportunity to deliver solid production while Contreras is out for the next 6-8 weeks. Though he may still be a reserve option in some leagues, Herrera’s new role as an everyday player could translate to valuable fantasy production.
David Fry, C, 1B, RF, DH - Cleveland Guardians
David Fry could provide sneaky production in deeper leagues. On the season, he’s slashing .321/.449/.453 with one home run and one stolen base. Playing time will dictate how valuable a pickup Fry can be, but he’s been crushing left-handed pitchers, boasting an OPS north of 1.000.
At the end of April, he played six straight games for the Cleveland Guardians. His ability to catch, play first base, right field, or even serve as the designated hitter increases his chances of cracking Cleveland’s lineup on any given day. However, Fry’s production is currently limited. I think the 28-year-old is worth monitoring as the season unfolds, considering his offensive success so far this season.