Top Catchers in MLB Right Now

   I have finally gotten back to my series of blog posts which feature the top five players in baseball at each position respectively. When it comes to the catching position, defense and game calling are the most important aspects. If a catcher can hit for average and/or power, that is a bonus. So, below are my top five catchers:


5)    Carlos Ruiz: Ruiz had a career year in 2012. The Philadelphia Phillies catcher hit .325 with a 16HR. Both of which were career best for the then 33 year old catcher. However, to begin the 2013 season, Ruiz was suspended 25 games for reportedly testing positive for a banned stimulant a second time. The stimulant was believed to be Aderall. So far this year in 62 games for the Phillies, Ruiz has hit .265, and  he has hit three home runs this season. Despite the down season, Ruiz has been a fairly good hitter throughout his career, batting .274, with 313 RBI and 55HR over a career spanning parts of eight seasons. Despite Ruiz's respectable hitting, he makes my list basically because of his defense. He has caught 28% of base stealers throughout his career and has a career .995 fielding percentage. While there are no stats for such a thing, Ruiz's most valuable asset is his game calling which make arguably the best in the Majors.

4)    Brian McCann: McCann had a down season in 2012 as he battled shoulder issues throughout the season. In 2012, McCann hit a meager .230, but he also still managed to hit 20HR with 67 RBI. Typically, these are good power numbers for a catcher, but the 20HR were the fewest McCann had hit since 2007, when he hit 18HR. Additionally, the 67 RBI's were the fewest of McCann's career in a full season. Fortunately, McCann is having an excellent bounce back season thus far. He is currently batting .272 with 18HR and 47 RBI in 76 games. McCann has never been regarded as an excellent defender, but he has caught 24% of base stealers(28% league average), while posting a .991 fielding percentage. McCann's career fielding percentage is just a tick below the league average of .992. Regardless, McCann is one of the best catchers in all of baseball.
 

3)   Joe Mauer: Mauer is one of the best, if not the best hitting catcher in baseball period. Mauer bounced back in a huge way in 2012 as he hit .319 with 10HR and 47RBI. He played in 147 games last season(not all as a catcher), and he led the American League in On Base Percentage, posting a .416 clip. For his career, Mauer has posted a .323BA, 105HR and 634RBI. Mauer is a great defender as well. Mauer, has thrown out 33% of base stealers throughout his career(27% league average), while putting up a fielding percentage of .995 for his career which exceeds the league average of a .991 fielding percentage. Mauer for some reason seems to be largely underrated throughout the game of baseball, despite the fact that he won the American League MVP Award in 2009 and being a six time All-Star.

2)   Buster Posey: In just three seasons, Posey has already been named NL MVP(2012), NL Rookie of the Year(2010); not only has Posey earned these prestigious honors, but he has already been part of two World Series Championship Teams(2010 & 2012) with the San Francisco Giants. After rebounding from a season ending injury in 2011, Posey posted astounding numbers in 2012. In 2012, Posey hit .336(leading the NL), smashing 24HR and driving in 103 runners. For his career, Posey has posted a .303BA, hit 60HR and accumulated 252 RBI. Posey possesses a strong throwing arm, catching 32% of base runners in his short career. He has however been knocked for his defensive ability and plays pretty reguarly at first base, but Posey is one of the best backstops in the game, and at the age of 26 he has plenty of time to add to his already promising career.


1)   Yadier Molina: There is no better all-around catcher in baseball than Yadier Molina. Molina has a phenomenal throwing arm, is a great game-caller, and he has figured out how to hit to top it all off. In 2012, Molina hit a robust .315, notching 22HR and knocking in 76 runners. For his career, Molina has hit .284 with 86HR while accumulating 522RBI. Unlike Posey, Molina does not have an MVP Award to his credit, but he does have two World Series Rings(2006 & 2011). He has managed to throw out an astounding 45% of would be base stealers in his ten year career, and he has five consecutive gold gloves to show for his incredible catching skills. Put it all together and Molina is on his way to being one of the better catchers to ever play the game, and that is why he tops this list.

Others:

A.J. Pierzynski, Matt Wieters, J.P. Arencibia, Etc.