This week’s fantasy baseball catcher review will help you identify catchers available in 50% or more of Yahoo! fantasy baseball leagues. For deep league players, the third is available in 85% or more of Yahoo! leagues.
Alex Avila, Detroit (37% owned)
Every week it feels like things should be crumbling around Avila, yet every week he is one of the most productive catchers out there. Just this past week he ranked #4 among catchers, going 9/23 (.391) with 3 R, 5 RBIs and a dinger. Avila didn’t play in four-of-five games between May 11 and 16, but he got his first day off since then on May 23. He’s hitting extremely well, but consider this a short-term play. Avila owns a 22.7% HR/FB rate and a .489 BABIP, which means regression is coming. Even if the HR/FB rate regresses, his exit velocity and launch angle show that the dinger parade should continue (even if diminished).
Devin Mesoraco, Cincinnati (9% owned)
The Reds are easing Mesoraco back into action, keeping him on the shelf for four games last week with a minor hamstring strain. When he’s played, however, he’s been great (Mesoraco’s career tagline). In 49 PAs entering Tuesday night’s action, he rocked a .317/.429/.512 slash line with two home runs and a stolen base. Health is always the concern with Mesoraco, and him already getting shelved for four games doesn’t bode well. Still, he hit 25 home runs with an OPS just shy of .900 the only time he got more than 400 plate appearances in his career. If he can stay healthy, he can put together a nice season.
Yan Gomes, Cleveland (8% owned)
Maybe I don’t carry as much sway as I thought? Over the last two weeks, Gomes carries a .367 average with two home runs. He also has nearly all his RBI in the same timeframe, with 9 of his 11 RBI in that timeframe. He’s platooning, but any catcher sitting at 5% ownership doesn’t have a full-time gig. He’s been extremely productive lately, so two catcher, AL-only and deep league owners need to snatch him up.