Next up is catcher for the updated rankings. This time I added my original preseason rankings in italics.
1. Victor Martinez (1) – Simply the best catcher in the game. V-Mart has followed up his impressive second half last year with a great start this year.
2. Josh Willingham (10) – Playing left field means he’s in the lineup nearly every night. Batting cleanup behind Cabrera, Willingham is now the No. 2 fantasy catcher.
3. Joe Mauer (2) – The power he flashed in 2004 still has yet to return. He will hit, however.
4. Pudge Rodriguez (4) – He’s back being slightly more patient at the plate this year; the Tigers’ lineup is much improved.
5. Ramon Hernandez (7) – He’s hit so well that a move up in the lineup followed.
6. Michael Barrett (8) – Dusty Baker is limiting his value by batting him low in the lineup where it will be tough to score runs.
7. Jason Varitek (6) – The fact he has been terrible at Fenway so far is an aberration and will change soon enough.
8. Jorge Posada (5) – The loaded lineup means Posada can’t avoid solid numbers.
9. Javy Lopez (3) – A DL trip prevents him from being ranked any higher.
10. Kenji Johjima (11) – Although there is talk some Mariners pitchers don’t love throwing to him, Johjima has been more than adequate with the bat.
11. A.J. Pierzynski (9) – He’s traded last year’s power surge for a higher batting average. Sitting against lefties should allow for it to remain solid.
12. Paul Lo Duca (13) – Batting second in the Mets lineup is a good situation for him. Remember that he always fades in the second half, however.
13. Brian McCann (17)
14. Johnny Estrada (16)
15. Benjie Molina (18)
16. Jason Kendall (12)
17. Mike Piazza (15)
18. Rod Barajas (19)
19. Toby Hall (n/a)
20. Mike Lieberthal (20)
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