Classic Set Previews: CATCHERS

The Catcher position is filled with Hall of Famers and amazing defensive arms. Unlike most sets, you can find cheap defense easily here, with the weakest one can basically go being a +6 arm. Surprisingly, Darrell Porter is nearly the highest point value player after long deliberation on whether he was a Royal or Cardinal. Johnny Bench is one player that suffered from comparative on-base calculations, but his CHEAP OB7, HR at 14 with +10 arm is sure to draw lots of managers in early.

Name	Year	PTS	Team	On-Base	Speed	Fielding	HR	3B	2B	1B+	1B	BB	FB	GB	K
Carlton Fisk	1977	380	BOS	9	B (14)	8	18-20	0	16-17	0	8-15	3-7	0	0	1-2
Darrell Porter	1979	370	KC	10	C (11)	8	20	17-19	15-16	0	12-14	4-11	3	0	1-2
Brian Downing	1979	350	CAL	10	C (12)	6	20	0	18-19	0	10-17	5-9	4	0	1-3
Tom Haller	62	350	SF	9	C (10)	6	18-20	0	16-17	0	11-15	5-10	4	0	1-3
Gene Tenace	1975	320	OAK	9	C (12)	6/0	19-20	0	18	0	11-17	3-10	0	0	1-2
Yogi Berra	1954	290	NYY	8	C (9)	10	17-20	0	15-16	0	9-14	5-8	3-4	1-2	0
Gary Carter	85	280	NYM	8	B (15)	6	16-20	0	15	0	10-14	5-9	3-4	2	1
Ed Bailey	63	260	SF	8	C (8)	6	17-20	0	16	0	8-15	5-7	0	3-4	1-2
Johnny Bench	70	240	CINCY	7	B (14)	10	14-20	0	11-13	0	8-10	5-7	0	0	1-4
Earl Battey	1963	240	MINN	8	C (10)	5	17-20	0	16	0	9-15	5-8	3-4	0	1-2
Lance Parrish	82	230	DET	7	C (12)	10	15-20	0	13-14	0	6-12	5	0	4	1-3
Bob Boone	79	230	PHI	8	C (11)	10	20	0	17-19	0	7-16	5-6	4	2-3	1
Elston Howard	1963	200	NYY	7	C (10)	5	16-20	15	14	13	6-12	0	4-5	3	1-2
Alan Ashby	87	190	HOU	8	C (9)	4	20	0	18	0	9-17	5-8	3-4	2	1
John Roseboro	61	190	LAD	7	B (16)	10	18-20	16-17	14-15	0	10-13	5-9	4	2-3	1
Ted Simmons	1983	160	MIL	7	B (14)	5	18-20	0	13-17	0	5-12	4	0	2-3	1
Elrod Hendricks	1969	140	BALT	6	C (9)	9	17-20	0	0	0	7-16	4-6	0	2-3	1
Benito Santiago	87	130	SD	6	A (18)	7	17-20	0	13-16	12	6-11	0	0	0	1-5
Manny Sanguillen	71	120	PIT	7	B (13)	7	0	0	17-20	16	5-15	0	4	1-3	0
Tony Pena	89	90	STL	6	C (11)	8	0	0	18-20	0	7-17	6	5	1-4	0
Jody Davis	84	60	CHC	5	C (10)	9	17-20	0	13-16	0	7-12	4-6	0	3	1-2
Pat Borders	90	50	TOR	5	C (9)	6	18-20	0	14-17	13	5-12	4	0	2-3	1

Gary Carter, seen here celebrating the 1986 Mets championship, is a power hitting catcher with a decent enough arm. For only 280 points, he's a bargain #5 or #6 hitter. Sadly, I think many will avoid him on draft day in favor of a +10 or +8 armed backstop, even if that means they'll have less "oompf" at the plate.