- Greg Shelley
- Jan 24, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 30, 2023
A wave of young catchers have taken over the big leagues with as many as 10 backstops expected to be on RDBL Keepers Lists that are currently on Rookie deals with many more on the way. The largest group of those players within the RDBL will be set for activation this season led by Adley Rutschman who looks like the second coming over Buster Posey for the Cloverdale Clovers.
With so much young talent already under contract at the position, the Free Agent Class might be the weakest at the position that we have ever seen. That could lead to some trade activity before Draft Day while the top of the market players like Will Smith (2/$30) and J.T. Realmuto (2/$28) are expected to be retained.
Additionally, the catcher prospect market is flush with high-end options that figure to be off the board early in the 2023 Reserve Draft. After years of middling results after the top five players at the position, 2023 should mark the start of some strong depth at the position which RDBL Front Offices can capitalize on for years to come.
Top RDBL Free Agents | Top Trade Candidates |
1. Logan O'Hoppe, Angels 2. *Mitch Garver, Rangers 3. Yasmani Grandal, White Sox 4. *Christian Vazquez, Twins 5. *Carson Kelly, Diamondbacks *Currently Projected to be Released | 1. Joey Bart (Minors), Jokers 2. Mitch Garver (3/$8), Fightin' Fish 3. Travis d'Arnaud (2/$7), Fringe 4. Max Stassi (3/$2), Hops 5. Omar Narvaez (3/$7), Grapes |
Top Available Prospects | Top RDBL Prospects |
1. Endy Rodriguez, Pirates 2. Logan O'Houppe, Angels 3. Kevin Parada, Mets 4. Bo Naylor, Guardians 5. Austin Wells, Yankees | 1. Adley Rutschman, Clovers 2. William Contreras, Aristocrats 3. Gabriel Moreno, Jokers 4. Francisco Alvarez, Grapes 5. MJ Melendez, Jokers |
2022 Rankings | 2023 Projections |
1. J.T. Realmuto (Ducks), 369.5 2. Will Smith (Stacks), 348.0 3. Sean Murphy (Taters), 335.5 4. Alejandro Kirk (Goutfish), 330.5 5. Daulton Varsho (Maulers), 314.5 | 1. Daulton Varsho (Maulers), 347.0 2. J.T. Realmuto (Ducks), 346.5 3. Will Smith (Stacks), 331.5 4. Sal Perez (Ducks), 327.0 5. Sean Murphy (Taters), 324.5 |
Team Needs
As currently projected, there are 10 openings at catcher that will need to be filled in the Auction Draft with the Mt. Diablo Devils and Meinert Hops each needing two.
Activation Candidates
The Clovers are poised to activate Adley Rutschman, the 2019 3rd Overall Pick, who stands as the most decorated catching prospect in RDBL History with the ability to step in immediately and be a Top-5 contributor at the position. The catching activation class hardly stops with Rutschman as the Las Vegas Aristocrats are poised to add both William Contreras and Shea Langeliers while the St. Joseph Jokers have three backstops ready for Opening Day roles between Gabriel Moreno, MJ Melendez and Joey Bart. With Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido now in New York, the wait for Asti Grape Stompers slugger Francisco Alvarez might be on hold until 2024 while the Alamo Short Stacks are leaning towards an activation for Luis Campusano.
Top Free Agent
Clubs will face a number of difficult decisions on how they approach the catching position entering 2023. While Yasmani Grandal is the most accomplished of the group expected to be available, Logan O'Hoppe would likely offer the most upside at the position despite having just a cup of coffee in the big leagues to end 2022. While he's currently penciled in to make the Angels Opening Day roster, things could easily change in Spring Training and push O'Houppe to the early portion of the Reserve Draft making Grandal or Mitch Garver, both currently projected to be dropped, the top available Free Agent for 2023.
Under the Radar Free Agent
If the Jokers don't retain Christian Bethancourt who brings a strong enough offensive profile to outplay his competition in Tampa Bay (Francisco Mejia) behind the plate due the gap in defensive value. A 3.6 percent walk rate leaves much to be desired, but his average and slugging should be replicable with a .255 xBA and .449 xSLG that indicates he deserved some better results last season.
Top Trade Candidate
The St. Joseph Jokers are stockpiled with catching prospects led by Gabriel Moreno, MJ Melendez and Joey Bart. With each in place for substantial roles starting on Opening Day, GM Rick Steen could leverage Melendez or Bart in a deal to acquire more offense for a club that needs it. Either Bart or Melendez would carry extra value as activation options that wouldn't count against the 12-man Keeper restriction while their $1 contract would likely be a strong value against what is available in Free Agency at the position.
Top Prospect Available
Endy Rodriguez followed up a breakout season in 2021 by putting together a fantastic .323/.407/.590 batting line with 25 home runs and 39 doubles across three levels in 2022. He began the season at High-A Greensboro but ended it by going 10-for-22 at the dish in a late-season audition at Triple-A Indianapolis and earning the nod as baseball's 23rd ranked prospect by Baseball America. Expected to be off the board in the 1st Round of the Reserve Draft, Rodriguez is on track to make his big league debut in 2023 and would be primed for a Playoff activation or 2024 Opening Day.
Top RDBL Prospect
If all players were made Free Agents and eligible for the Auction, it's possible that Cloverdale Clovers catching prospect Adley Rutschman would fetch the largest contract among backstops for the next three seasons of play. Rutschman has a chance to join the rare air of 400+ point seasons by a catcher, a feat only reached by Sal Perez, Yasmani Grandal, Buster Posey and Jonathan Lucroy.
