Preseason Ranks: Top-10 Catchers in Baseball headed into 2023

One of, if not the most important positions on the diamond defensively is the Catcher. The Catcher is not just in charge of hunting down fly balls and directing the infield, they are also the pitcher’s best friend, anything and everything that happens on the field runs through a team’s back-man. That is why having a top backstop is always of high priority for any MLB club, so today I will count down my top-10 best Catchers in Baseball heading into 2023 to kick off my preseason top-10 position lists.

10. Cincinnati Reds, Tyler Stephenson: 166 AB, 53 H, 6 HR, 35 RBI, .319 BA, .854 OPS, 1.5 WAR

Though his season may have been cut short by varying injuries sprinkled throughout a turbulent 2022 campaign for the Reds, Tyler Stephenson showed everyone why he demanded a top selection back in the 2015 draft. In only 50 games for the Reds, Stephenson compiled 53 hits and 6 home runs while boasting .482 SLG and .854 OPS leading active team starters in both categories. Though he has shown inconsistencies behind the dish the 26 year looks like he may have a chance to become one of the league’s next top Catchers, providing his injury history neglects to rear its ugly head.

9. Seattle Mariners, Cal Raleigh: 370 AB, 78 H, 27 HR, 63 RBI, .211 BA, .774 OPS, 3.8 WAR

Yet another top young candidate for a spot at the top of the backstop ranks come next season is Mariners Catcher Cal Raleigh. Raleigh, 26, showed last season that he may just be the best power-hitting Catcher in the game as he blasted 27 home runs with a .489 SLG in just 119 games. The Florida State product also proved to have some of the best plate intangibles at his position as he ranked in the 63rd percentile for walks surrendered. Along with some fielding that has come a long way in years past, Raleigh looks to be yet another big name on the rise for a promising Seattle troupe in 2023.

8. St. Louis Cardinals, Willson Contreras: 416 AB, 101 H, 22 HR, 55 RBI, .243 BA, .815 OPS, 3.9 WAR

Our first vet on the list comes in the form of now-former Chicago Cub Willson Contreras who opted to sign a 5-year $87 Million dollar contract with the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason. Though taking a slight step back from years prior, Contreras still projects as a top backstop in the game consistently spreading the ball across the field and hitting for power which earned him a .466 SLG for the Cubbies last season. As the Yalider Molina era ends in St. Louis Contreras will have big shoes to fill, though the Cards may not have picked a better guy for the job.

7. Toronto Blue Jays, Alejandro Kirk: 470 AB, 134 H, 14 HR, 63 RBI, .285 BA, .786 OPS, 3.9 WAR

Alejandro Kirk was yet another addition to an already stacked Blue Jays lineup when he burst onto the scene in early 2022. Despite playing just 60 games while boasting a .242 BA the year prior, Kirk fought his way into the role as primary Catcher beside the likes of Danny Jansen and Gabriel Moreno. Kirk’s newfound swing was a godsend for the Blue Jays who were fortunate enough to rotate Tijuana Mexico product between DH and Catcher. Kirk’s .285 BA and .786 OPS paired with 14 homers and 63 RBI’s were enough to grant him All-Star honors along with the AL’s Silver Slugger crown at Catcher. 2023 will be a crucial year for Kirk as he looks to prove that his red-hot 2022 wasn’t a fluke, with a stacked Blue Jays lineup it shouldn’t be hard for the 24-year-old to find his stride.

6. Atlanta Braves, Sean Murphy: 537 AB, 134 H, 18 HR, 66 RBI, .250 BA, .759 OPS, 3.5 WAR

Despite being stuck on quite possibly the worst team in Baseball all of last season, Sean Murphy finished his Oakland A’s tenure on a high note as the 28-year-old posted some of the best numbers of his career. With a .759 OPS and .426 SLG Murphy has had no trouble hitting for power, to all fields may I add. Since becoming one of the top risers amongst Catchers in Baseball, Murphy has proven he can be a top option in any lineup. With the innate ability to hit for consistent contact and power both ways, all the while having a top glove in the game (winning the AL Gold Glove in ‘22) makes Murphy as desirable an option for any team in need of a high-level backstop. Hopefully, as he makes his new home in Atlanta, Murphy will be able to take advantage of a high-powered Braves lineup to help take his game to the next level.

5. Kansas City Royals, Salvador Perez: 445 AB, 113 H, 23 HR, 76 RBI, .254 BA, .757 OPS, 2.7 WAR

Though Salvy may have taken a step back from his prime days of the mid-2010s, he is still no question an elite backstop. The now 32-year-old blasted 23 home runs with a .465 SLG during 2022, with an xSLG in the 88th percentile. His defense will continue to underwhelm, but Perez’s pure mastery at the plate will make certain he will stay among the best Catchers in Baseball. Considering Perez recently signed a 4-year extension through 2025, and the Royals lack of top catching prospects it is entirely possible El Nino could be hitting moonshots at Kauffman Stadium, still for years to come.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers, Will Smith: 508 AB, 132 H, 24 HR, 87 RBI, .260 BA, .807 OPS, 4.2 WAR

Yet another product of the Dodgers’ laughably good farm system, Will Smith has turned himself into a top backstop in the game in just a few short seasons. Since being called up in 2019, Smith has sustained a .261 BA and an .856 OPS for the Dodgers. Last season in particular, Smith produced some of the best SLG, OPS, and OBP numbers among all catchers in Baseball. His above-average glove and natural hitting abilities are the perfect storm for Smith who has also been gifted with some of the best pitching in all of Baseball history, catching the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Trevor Bauer, Max Scherzer, Walker Buehler, and others. Smith does still have 2-year’s of Arbitration eligibility before he hits free agency in the 2026 offseason, however, any all-around Catcher such as Smith should be able to garner a big-time deal when their payday hits.

3. Atlanta Braves, Travis d’Arnaud: 396 AB, 106 H, 18 HR, 60 RBI, .268 BA, .791 OPS, 2.9 WAR

Since signing with the Braves during the 2019 offseason Travis d’Arnaud has gone from a journeyman to possibly one of the best Catchers in Baseball. In 2022 the Lakewood CA product batted a crisp .268 with a .791 OPS earning the first All-Star appearance of his career. Though his defense has been considered much better as d’Arnaud was seen as a finalist for the NL’s Gold Glove at Catcher. With the addition of Sean Murphy to an already stacked Braves lineup it will be intriguing to see how Brian Snitker and Co. use their newfound catching tandem. Both Murphy and d’Arnaud have experience in the DH spot which may lead to a possible platooning of the backstops, however, there are other names being thrown around at the position.

2. Baltimore Orioles, Adley Rutschman: 398 AB, 101 H, 13 HR, 42 RBI, .254 BA, .806 OPS, 5.2 WAR

The number one pick in the 2019 Draft, and three-time MLB.com Number One Prospect has quickly become one of the best young Catchers in Baseball in just his first season. After being called up in Mid-May Rutschman began putting up some of the best offensive numbers by any Catcher in all of Baseball. In 398 AB for the O’s Rutschman hit for a .254 AVG with a .806 OPS, getting on base 36% of the time. His offense wasn’t the only thing to flaunt over as the former top prospect ranked in the 88th percentile for Pop-Time and 84th percentile for Framing. Debates have been raised as to if Rutschman could already be the best defensive Catcher in the game, but 2023 will prove to be a big teller as to if Rutschman is worth all the hype.

1. Philadelphia Phillies, J.T Realmuto: 504 AB, 139 H, 22 HR, 84 RBI, .276 BA, .820 OPS, 6.5 WAR

Time and time again J.T. Realmuto has given no reason for anyone to believe that he is not the BCIB, from offense to defense it is all there, a complete five-tool Catcher who can hit for contact, and power, has good speed, a perfect glove, and an even better arm. Last season J.T. showed why he is more than just a hit machine, Ranking in the 100th percentile in pop time, with a 44% caught stealing, good enough for the best in Baseball. J.T. also ranked in the 61st percentile for framing giving a sometimes deceitful Phillies pitching staff a shoulder to lean on in rough spots. This is not to discount his hitting prowess by any means with a .820 OPS J.T. was one of the top all-around hitters in Baseball throughout the 2022 season. At times it was Realmuto who carried the Phillies offense through tough stretches, and now with Bryce Harper returning by early summer and the addition of Trea Turner there should be a lot to look forward to for Realmuto in 2023.

1. Jose Trevino

2. Christian Vazquez

3. Jonah Heim

4. Carson Kelly

5. Fransisco Mejia

6. Gary Sanchez

7. Austin Nola

8. Victor Caratini

9. Max Stassi

10. Jacob Stallings

11. Keibert Ruiz

12. Martin Maldonado

13. Andrew Knizner

14. Joey Bart

15. Tucker Barnhart

16. Yasmani Grandal

17. Tomas Nido

18. Jason Delay

19. Elias Diaz

20. Austin Hedges