Wednesday's Catcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's catcher value rankings for Wednesday, June 22 (all stats exclude Tuesday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Brian McCann (NYY) | vs. COL | 9 |
| Russell Martin (TOR) | vs. ARI | 8 |
| Kurt Suzuki (MIN) | vs. PHI | 8 |
| Sandy Leon (BOS) | vs. CWS | 8 |
| Matt Wieters (BAL) | vs. SD | 8 |
Name-brand players McCann, Martin and Wieters all face homer-prone pitchers in hitter-friendly parks. San Diego's Erik Johnson has allowed 10 homers in four starts, and no fewer than two in each, heightening Wieters' appeal. McCann's low price hands him the top spot.
Suzuki has hits in his last nine appearances, all starts except for a pinch-hit appearance Saturday in which he homered. A matchup with perpetually struggling lefty Adam Morgan holds promise, even for the low-scoring Twins.
Leon has been regularly catching for Eduardo Rodriguez, and should draw into the lineup again Wednesday. At a minimum price on some sites, he's worth a flier, even if his hot start (9-for-13) since being called up can't possibly continue.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Lucroy (MIL) | at OAK | 7 |
| Buster Posey (SF) | at PIT | 7 |
| Robinson Chirinos (TEX) | vs. CIN | 7 |
| Tyler Flowers (ATL) | at MIA | 7 |
| Wilson Ramos (WAS) | at LAD | 6 |
| Miguel Montero (CHC) | vs. STL | 6 |
| Carlos Perez (LAA) | at HOU | 6 |
| Nick Hundley (COL) | at NYY | 6 |
| Welington Castillo (ARI) | at TOR | 6 |
| James McCann (DET) | vs. SEA | 6 |
| Carlos Ruiz (PHI) | at MIN | 6 |
| Dioner Navarro (CWS) | at BOS | 6 |
| Yan Gomes (CLE) | vs. TB | 6 |
| Stephen Vogt (OAK) | vs. MIL | 5 |
| Derek Norris (SD) | at BAL | 5 |
| Evan Gattis (HOU) | vs. LAA | 5 |
| Jeff Mathis (MIA) | vs. ATL | 5 |
| Yasmani Grandal (LAD) | vs. WAS | 5 |
Montero may only play once every five days, as he's been assigned to be Jake Arrieta's personal catcher. He's hit better against righties for his career. RHP Michael Wacha has been up-and-down this season, and allowed eight earned runs to the Cubs in a late May start.
A quick turnaround from a night game to a day game should afford Mathis a start; other than a minimum price, he doesn't offer much.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Iannetta (SEA) | at DET | 3 |
| Curt Casali (TB) | at CLE | 3 |
| Yadier Molina (STL) | at CHC | 3 |
| Erik Kratz (PIT) | vs. SF | 3 |
| Salvador Perez (KC) | at NYM | 2 |
| Travis d'Arnaud (NYM) | vs. KC | 1 |
Perez is the priciest catcher despite a matchup with RHP Noah Syndergaard. While Perez has had a great season, it's hard to expect a stellar return when Syndergaard hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last nine starts.
d'Arnaud was freshly activated off the DL Tuesday, but he's extremely pricey for a player hitting just .196 without a home run. Wait until he finds his form.