Tiered Up: Catchers

Ready to go the extra mile? Tiered Up looks at a more thorough way to set up your draft board than simple rankings.

The catcher position is always the most shallow of any fantasy position, and 2010 is no different. The disparity between the top and the rest of the catcher pool is so great that owners are willing to spend third-round picks, and sometimes even second-round picks, on statistics they wouldn't blink twice at if they were found next to an outfielder or first baseman. Such is the dry talent pool of catcher.

If you play in a two-catcher league, by all means take a top-three guy in the first 25 picks. I was lucky enough to nab Joe Mauer in my two-catcher roto league, despite having the last pick of a 15-team draft.

After those three are off the board, it's time for the Matt Wieters Hype Train to leave the station. If you can't get one of the top three though, I'd avoid Wieters at his price and focus on getting a solid player after six-to-eight guys are off the board.

How do my catcher tiers stack up this year? Let's take a look at them below, along with each player's Median Draft Position (explanation here).

Tier 1

Joe Mauer, Twins (13)
Brian McCann, Braves (43)
Victor Martinez, Indians (26)

Now that Mauer has added power to his ridiculous average, there's no reason for him to escape the top 15. In fact, if you're drafting near the end of the first and feel like you'll be able to nab a top-five first baseman in the second round, I'd use that first pick on Mauer. I prefer McCann to Martinez, as at his age, McCann still has plenty of room for growth. He makes a great third-round pick.

Tier 2

Matt Wieters, Orioles (87)
Miguel Montero, Diamondbacks (129)
Geovany Soto, Cubs (151)
Jorge Posada, Yankees (125)
Mike Napoli, Angels (180)
Kurt Suzuki, A's (134)
Russell Martin, Dodgers (139)

This is my way of saying that there's no need to reach on a catcher if you can't get a top-three guy. Instead, target a guy like Soto or Napoli once several of the above pitchers are off the board. Don't forget about a potential Martin bounce-back, and don't buy into the idea that Posada's too old to remain a very good fantasy catcher. Whatever you do, get your starting catcher by the end of this tier.

Tier 3

Chris Iannetta, Rockies (199)
Carlos Ruiz, Phillies (262)
Ryan Doumit, Pirates (190)
Bengie Molina, Giants (154)
A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox (226)
Yadier Molina, Cardinals (214)

I'm not a fan of Bengie Molina this season, not because he can't produce, but because I think the Giants will transition to Buster Posey at some point this summer. When that happens, Molina will lose all his value. I like Ruiz's upside and would target him as a second catcher.

Tier 4

Ramon Hernandez, Reds (338)
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Rangers (355)
John Baker, Marlins (301)
Buster Posey, Giants (295)
Carlos Santana, Indians (324)

Hernandez could be sneaky good this season. If you have a bench spot to burn on a catcher, use it on Posey or Santana. Either one could debut this year and both should have a positive fantasy impact right away.

Let's just stop here, instead of spend brain power trying to decide whether we want Ivan Rodriguez or John Buck this year. If you have to start a catcher after the first tier, you're at a disadvantage. If you have to start one after the first two tiers, you're in trouble.