This first installment of our 2014 fantasy baseball sleepers will cover the catchers that provide value in the mid to late rounds of most drafts. It just so happens that this year’s list of backstops is made up primarily of younger guys who are getting a chance to start everyday for the first time in their careers. Let’s get to it.
MLB Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Catchers
Wilson Ramos, Wsh
The 26-year-old Venezuelan is primed to have a big season as long as he stays healthy. Ramos had a very nice rookie season in 2011 and then multiple injuries limited him to just 25 games the following year. He bounced back last season with a .272 batting average, 16 homeruns and 59 runs batted in only 303 plate appearances.
Ramos has the potential to be a top producing fantasy catcher. He can hit for both average and power while also driving in runs at a high clip. Owners should look for him in the mid rounds after all the big names are gone.
Devin Mesoraco, Cin
Cincinnati made it very clear that Mesoraco would play everyday this season when they traded Ryan Hanigan to Tampa Bay in a three-team deal this past offseason. The former first-round pick (15th overall) back in 2007 has not been very good at the plate in his young career with a .225 batting average in 589 plate appearances over the past three seasons.
There is reason to believe that this will be Mesocaro’s ‘breakout year’ though. His average and power numbers have climbed while his strikeout percentage has dropped in each season in the Majors after having a very good minor league career. According to FanGraphs.com, the 25-year-old’s line-drive percentage improved last season and playing everyday will help build his confidence which should equate to lots of career-highs in 2014.
Yan Gomes, Cle
If the second half of 2013 was any indication of what Gomes is capable of, fantasy owners will want to strongly consider drafting him. The 26-year-old Brazilian hit .319, with 12 doubles and five long balls in 49 games after the All-Star Break. Gomes will be the Indians starting catcher this season with Carlos Santana being used as the team’s designated hitter/first baseman and potentially playing some third base.
There is a lot of value in drafting Gomes as your starter or backup, depending on how deep your league is, because he will likely bat around or above .280 with modest power numbers compared to other catchers. Gomes is the perfect fit you are looking to fly under the radar and wait until the later rounds to get a backstop.
Travis d’Arnaud, NYM
As is the case with the other players listed above, the future is now for d’Arnaud who the Mets received in the deal that sent R.A. Dickey to the Blue Jays last offseason. The Southern California native was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round (37th overall) back in 2007 and was traded to Toronto in the trade that sent Roy Halladay to Philly.
The road to the Big Leagues has had some ups and downs for d’Arnaud, who made his debut last August and finished the campaign with a .202 batting line and one homerun in 99 at-bats. The 25-year-old has battled several injuries and had a couple really good minor league seasons, including a .311 batting average, 21 big flies and 78 RBIs playing for Toronto’s Double-A affiliate in 2011.
The Mets fully expect d’Arnaud to be their everyday catcher this year and fantasy owners can look forward to his above average power at the plate. It may take him several months to hit his stride and feel comfortable against the game’s best pitchers. Owners should look at d’Arnaud as a very serviceable fantasy backup with the potential to be a starter before season’s end.
Mike Zunino, Sea
Here is another former first-round pick on this list as Zunino, the third overall selection in 2012, figures to get plenty of at-bats for Seattle this season. The Mariners signed veteran John Buck this winter as the backup/insurance policy for the 22-year-old Zunino, who is having a great spring training so far. Fantasy owners can draft this youngster with a ton of upside in the late rounds of the draft.
Dioner Navarro, Tor
The Blue Jays rewarded the veteran with a two-year contract worth $8 million after he hit .300 with 13 homeruns and 34 RBIs in only 89 games last season with the Cubs. Navarro has always been pretty handy with the bat with the ability to hit for average, but the power hasn’t always been there. If he can stay healthy this year, fantasy owners may get considerable value out of a guy who will be drafted late, if at all, in most fantasy drafts.
Josmil Pinto, Min
With Joe Mauer officially making the move to first base, Minnesota will entrust Pinto with the primary catching duties going forward. The 24-year-old Venezuelan made a sizable impression in just 21 games last season going 26-for-76 (.342) with five doubles, four long balls and 12 RBIs. Pinto could prove to be a household name in a couple years if he continues on an upward trend.
