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.

Austin Barnes—Los Angeles Dodgers 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	102	177		1.74
AVG	102	177	14	1.74	15

DRS: +4

Contract: Pre-Arbitration

Barnes ended up catching every game in the World Series and started all but one game in the post-season. Grandal had better defensive numbers and arguably was better offensively. However, they felt more comfortable with his work behind the plate. A cursory watch of the playoffs showed how many more strikes he was able to get called for his pitchers. Of course, it is up in the air as to what is going to happen long-term with the Dodgers’ catching position. Offensively, he is middle of the pack, but that could play up if he ends up getting the starting job.

Tucker Barnhart—Cincinnati Reds 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	RanK
2017	121	188		1.55
2016	115	183		1.59
2015	81	91		1.12
AVG	106	154	20	1.45	22

DRS: +11

Contract: Signed Through 2022

Barnhart signed an extension before the end of the season. Obviously, the Reds like his defense and durability after waiting for Devin Mesoraco to get healthy. The contract indicates that the Mesoraco era is coming to a merciful end. Barnhart is not good offensively, but he is also not terrible. The 2016 and 2017 seasons obviously are more in line of what the Reds and you can expect from him from here on out.

Welington Castillo—Baltimore Orioles/Free Agent 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	96	179		1.86
2016	113	198		1.75
2015	110	181		1.65
2014	110	146		1.33
2013	113	161		1.42
AVG	108	173	17	1.60	20

DRS: -9

Contract Status: Player Option

Castillo could become a free agent if he does not exercise his player option. However, in the changing landscape of the position that might not be a wise move. The Orioles have Caleb Joseph ready to take over and might secretly hope Castillo moves on. He did hit 20 home runs this season, so he is an appealing fantasy option, but defense increasingly matters and it might keep him off the field too often.

Jason Castro—Minnesota Twins 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	110	165		1.50
2016	113	112		0.98
2015	104	107		1.03
2014	126	151		1.20
2013	120	249		2.08
AVG	115	157	19	1.37	25

DRS: +10

Contract Status: Signed through 2019 

Castro is the mirror image of Castillo. He is a brilliant defender and pitch framer, so he will find his way behind the plate no matter what he does defensively. We include the tables above because of players like Castro. The average is certainly always relevant, but sometimes it is more relevant to track them season by season. 2013 will likely never happen again, so you are best paying attention to everything else. He is a good catcher two option in leagues that employ that, but otherwise is a guy to avoid on draft day.

Francisco Cervelli—Pittsburgh Pirates 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	81	124		1.53
2016	101	160		1.58
2015	130	228		1.75
2014	49	65		1.33
AVG	90	144	21	1.60	20

DRS: -6

Contract Status: Signed through 2019

Cervelli’s defensive numbers from 2016 are out of line with the rest of his career. He had been a positive impact defender up to that point. So, was 2017 a blip on the radar or a harbinger of things to come? Offensively, he is fairly consistent if not spectacular. He actually comes out better in total points because of his ability to make contact and the fact that total points does not exclusively rely on home runs for value.

Robinson Chirinos—Texas Rangers 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	88	178		2.02
2016	57	83		1.46
2015	78	136		1.74
2014	93	151		1.62
AVG	79	137	24	1.73	16

DRS: +2

Contract Status: Signed through 2018

Ah, the ultimate fantasy dilemma. The two runs for game mark is the line of demarcation for catchers. So, is Chirinos that guy or is he one of those guys that gets exposed once he becomes an everyday player? He flourished last season once he became the everyday guy, but now teams get an offseason to scout him as the everyday guy. He is probably worth a late round flier just in case. As a daily option he could be ideal if you want to spend on other positions that day.

Willson Contreras—Chicago Cubs 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	117	250		2.14
2016	76	147		1.93
AVG	97	199	10	2.05	6

DRS: -1

Contract Status: Pre-Arbitration

Contreras actually took a step forward to the surprise of many. He had some good batted ball luck his rookie season, but solidified himself as a top-flight offensive catcher by making contact a little more often and walking a little more often. Obviously, the power and run production are the biggest draws here and as long as he remains healthy there is no reason to think this won’t continue.

Travis d’Arnaud—New York Mets 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	112	204		1.82
2016	75	88		1.17
2015	67	159		2.37
2014	108	205		1.90
2013	31	23		0.74
AVG	79	136	25	1.72	17

DRS: -1

Contract Status: Arbitration

d’Arnaud is the leading actor in “Star Interrupted”. Everyone naturally assumed he would become a star when he came up in 2013, but injuries have derailed him every step of the way. He came on late last season and looked like the star player everyone thought he would be. Of course, those games were rendered meaningless because the Mets were out of contention. We can only assume he would be a top half catcher if healthy. Of course, we’ve heard that before.

Tyler Flowers—Atlanta Braves 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	81	193		1.95
2016	106	132		1.59
2015	131	92		0.82
2014	131	113		0.89
2013	94	53		0.53
AVG	109	117	27	1.16	28

DRS: +11

Contract Status: Signed Through 2018

The Braves are an organization in flux on a number of different fronts, but they stumbled into something here. Both Flowers and Kirk Suzuki performed well when sharing the duties. This seems to be a part of the wave of the future as teams get a handle on the platoon advantage. It doesn’t bode well for season long fantasy players, but it could end up being a boon for daily fantasy players.

Evan Gattis—Houston Astros 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	84	194		2.47
2016	128	266		1.84
2015	153	316		2.40
2014	108	199		1.99
2013	105	213		2.28
AVG	116	238	8	2.05	6

DRS: +2

Contract Status: Arbitration

Winning championships usually means that teams begin to copy what you do. The Astros won largely because of their depth. Both Gattis and Brian McCann enjoyed better seasons on a per game basis. A.J. Hinch was able to manage their opportunities and put them in positions where they were more likely to succeed. It also meant both of them were fresh coming into October. Again, this is not good news for season long players, but daily fantasy players should stand up and take notice.