It was a fantastic postseason and a World Series for the ages, but now the offseason for 2018 has begun. We will go through and rank the top 30 players at each position according to total points, five categories, and six categories. We begin with catchers and total points. Total points is the biggest trend in the fantasy world as it encompasses the daily fantasy revolution and even a growing number of full season leagues.

The idea behind total points is to encompass more of what a player contributes offensively. It includes all extra base hits and penalizes for negative events. Each platform uses its own formula, so we will use ours. Obviously, you will need to adjust as your personal needs allow. Our formula is listed below.

Total Bases + Runs + RBI + BB + SB + HBP – SO – CS – GIDP = Total Points.

Yan Gomes—Cleveland Indians

  G TP Rank TP/G Rank
2017 105 166 1.58
2016 74 73 0.99
2015 95 130 1.37
2014 135 258 1.91
2013 88 172 1.95  
AVG 99 160 18 1.62 19

DRS: -1

Contract Status: Signed Through 2019

We show the past five seasons because they give us a clearer picture of where the player has been. 2016 obviously sticks out like a sore thumb, but Gomes is a not a good player in a total points format. He strikes out a lot and hardly ever walks. When you remove those issues he becomes a decent five category performer. In a total points environment, you should probably wait.

Yasmani Grandal—Los Angeles Dodgers

  G TP Rank TP/G Rank
2017 129 208 1.61
2016 126 244 1.94
2015 115 191 1.66
2014 128 188 1.47
2013 28 52 1.86
AVG 105 177 14 1.69 18

DRS: +17

Contract Status: Arbitration

Grandal’s future with the Dodgers is anyone’s best guess. All of the analytics point to him being better than Barnes and yet the Dodgers went with Barnes. Of course, the Dodgers are an analytic organization so they may have internal numbers we don’t have. Judging by the playoffs, they’ve made their decision, but they may keep him around for insurance or they may run a platoon similar to the Braves and Astros.

Chris Iannetta—Free Agent

  G TP Rank TP/G Rank
2017 89 173 1.94
2016 94 97 1.03
2015 92 101 1.10
2014 108 175 1.62
2013 115 161 1.40
AVG 100 141 22 1.41 23

DRS: +1

Contract Status: Free Agent

I would normally say it is the right time to become a free agent following your best season since you wore a Rockies uniform. Unfortunately, he joins a potentially loaded class with Jonathan Lucroy, Welington Castillo, and potentially Matt Wieters. Unless Arizona takes him back he might end up as a backup somewhere. 2017 might have been a little outside his normal level of production, so you probably shouldn’t rely on it.

Jonathan Lucroy—Free Agent

  G TP Rank TP/G Rank
2017 123 230 1.87
2016 142 332 2.34
2015 103 195 1.89
2014 153 398 2.60
2013 147 352 2.39
AVG   301 2 2.25 3

DRS: -15

Contract Status: Free Agent

It’s interesting to look at the numbers for a player like Lucroy. 2017 and 2015 were down seasons and they were still better than most catchers. If he signs in Colorado then he could end up being a top three catcher again. The DRS numbers are troubling, but they aren’t in line with what he has normally done. Maybe it was just an all-around down season.

Martin Maldonado—Los Angeles Angels

  G TP Rank TP/G Rank
2017 138 139 1.01
2016 76 95 1.25
2015 79 60 0.76
2014 52 51 0.98
2013 67 48 0.72
AVG 82 79 30 0.96 30

DRS: +22

Contract Status: Arbitration

Fielding numbers are obviously relevant because it helps explain why Maldonado suddenly became a full-time catcher. He hit double digit home runs for the first time in his career. This happens sometimes when you leave players to their own devices. He still isn’t a good hitter overall, but he might be good enough to be a good second fantasy catcher. Goodness knows he is good enough defensively to get in the lineup five or six days a week.

Russell Martin—Toronto Blue Jays

  G TP Rank TP/G Rank
2017 91 196 2.15
2016 137 232 1.69
2015 129 287 2.22
2014 111 255 2.30
2013 127 220 1.73
AVG 119 238 8 2.00 8

DRS: +3

Contract Status: Signed Through 2019

Martin had one of those forgettable seasons where the numbers look awful, but total points show something else entirely. That is because he is one of the more patient players in the game. Injuries kept him from putting up the customary numbers. However, a catcher in his mid thirties cannot be expected to keep producing for long. Still, he fares better in a total points universe than he does in a five or six category universe.

Brian McCann—Houston Astros

  G TP Rank TP/G Rank
2017 97 240 2.47
2016 130 239 1.84
2015 135 324 2.40
2014 140 279 1.99
2013 102 233 2.28
AVG 121 263 5 2.17 4

DRS: -8

Contract Status: Signed Through 2018

On a per game basis, McCann had his best season in years. The Astros utilized a platoon advantage with Evan Gattis also in tow. You could say it was a limited exposure to lefties, but it might also be the fact that he just didn’t catch as many games. They have one more season with that combination and it might end up being his last as a regular. Daily fantasy players might roll the dice, but he probably isn’t a season long fantasy force anymore.

James McCann—Detroit Tigers

  G TP Rank TP/G Rank
2017 106 173 1.63
2016 105 105 1.00
2015 114 139 1.22
AVG 108 139 23 1.29 27

DRS: -6

Contract Status: Arbitration

McCann took a significant step forward this year offensively. The Tigers are in rebuilding mode, so they are likely evaluating every position to see who will be with them long-term. The key will be on the defensive end in addition to the offense. If he can improve with the glove it might not matter than he is a below average offensive player. He is a good second catcher option in those leagues because he appears to be pretty durable.

Yadier Molina—St. Louis Cardinals

  G TP Rank TP/G Rank
2017 136 311 2.29
2016 147 303 2.06
2015 136 225 1.65
2014 110 199 1.81
2013 136 353 2.60
AVG 133 278 3 2.09 5

DRS: +7

Contract Status: Signed Through 2020

Molina seems to exist in his own parallel universe where catchers never age. Most fantasy fans would prudently have avoided him last season because he approaches his mid to late thirties. The Cardinals are gambling that he will continue to defy the odds and produce like the younger catchers in the field. Fantasy fans might do it too. I wouldn’t take him where he is ranked, but he should probably still be a fantasy regular.

Salvador Perez—Kansas City Royals

  G TP Rank TP/G Rank
2017 129 275 2.13
2016 139 245 1.76
2015 142 261 1.84
2014 150 279 1.86
2013 138 291 2.11  
AVG 140 270 4 1.93 10

DRS: 0

Contract Status: Signed Through 2021

Total points has a way of revealing a player’s warts and blemishes. The newer defensive metrics do the same thing. Perez is the like the girl that looks like a knock out from 100 feet away, but when you get up close the magic is gone. He’s always had a good arm, but the pitch framing data is not as good. Similarly, he has power, but his patience is nearly non-existent. Additionally, he’s started to strike out a lot more often. That is a horrible combination in total points. Still, he is a very good power source at catcher, so he should still be a regular.

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