This series of Strat 360° articles involves finding the players you want for start-up keeper leagues or the players you want if you’re rebuilding or trying to get younger on your existing draft league team.   We’re going back three years instead of just looking at 1 season of rookies or prospects.
 

Catcher

1.  Joe Mauer – He quickly evolved into the game’s best catcher and he’s already won a batting title.   Mauer has everything and is worth a number one pick in a start-up draft.

2.  Brian McCann – He’s an elite offensive catcher who can hit for average and power.   He’s not quite as good as Mauer based on the OB difference but he’s also worth a first round start-up pick given the power and young age.
 3.  Russell Martin – High OB and a nice throwing arm.  What else could you want out of a catcher?   The only problem could come from the unbalanced columns.  You want to see more action out of the RH side.

  
4.  Gerald Laird – He could surprise given the now full-time role in Texas.   Laird could end up a top five to seven pick at the position in the ’07 set.  
 5.  Kenjii Johjima -  He’s a nice veteran catcher and you know what you’re getting based on the rookie stats.   Johjima doesn’t hit lefties very well so you’ll have to blow another pick at catcher for the platoon situation.  
 6.  Ronny Paulino – It looks like all average and little power but Paulino gets a lot of at bats and doesn’t hurt you in the throwing arm category.
 7.  Yadier Molina – He’s the best defensive catcher in the game but he tanked in the batting average department and it ruined the ’06 card.   You can use Molina as a late-inning replacement this year.  Hopefully he’ll hit .265 or something next year and you can give him a larger role.
 8.  Dioneer Navarro – He never has hit for average or double-digit homers in the majors.   The on-base isn’t that bad though and he should give you a .725 OPS.
 9.  Chris Iannetta – Colorado catcher with a sweet swing should get the job out of Spring Training.   He hit for average in the minors and the scouting reports say his defensive skills are ahead of the curve for someone of his age.
 10. Mike Napoli – This is the classic Strat model of power and on-base, no batting average help.   You’ll have to stick Napoli down in the order but the on-base is a source of hidden value here.
 11. John Buck – The Royals think he could hit 20 homers down the road but his offense has stalled since arriving at the major leagues.
 12. Jeff Mathis – The Angels handed him the job last season and Mathis failed miserably in May.  Napoli isn’t a lock so a hot start by Mathis could completely change the equation.  
 13. Chris Snyder – The Diamondbacks like the defense.   Snyder will work to save his job.  He altered his batting mechanics and it helped raise the 2006 average.  He survived the Koyie Hill challenge.  Can he beat out Montero?  
14. Miguel Montero – He will challenge Snyder for the job in Arizona.  He’s a better player on paper but his time may not come until 2008.

Next – First Base