With the promise of a new season hanging in the air, the debate over the best catchers in Major League Baseball is intensifying. As teams prepare for spring training, ESPN’s annual positional rankings series is offering a glimpse into who industry experts believe will be the most impactful players at each position. This year’s focus is on identifying the players poised to make the biggest difference in , rather than projecting long-term potential.
The rankings, compiled through interviews with those around the game, are being released position by position over a two-week period. Following assessments of starting and relief pitchers, and first and second basemen, the spotlight now falls on the crucial role of the catcher – a position demanding a unique blend of defensive prowess, leadership, and offensive contribution.
Leading the conversation is Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. His season was nothing short of historic, playing in 159 games and delivering an offensive surge that included 60 home runs, 110 runs scored, and a league-leading 125 RBIs. This performance has prompted the Mariners’ front office to strategically manage his workload for the upcoming season, aiming to maximize his availability both behind the plate and as a designated hitter. Last year, Raleigh split his time effectively, appearing in 121 games as a catcher and 38 as a DH, a distribution the team hopes to replicate.
“I think using last year as a benchmark, for games played behind the plate, is doable for Cal,” stated Jerry Dipoto, the Mariners’ baseball operations director. “Cal isn’t interested in resting. He’d rather play.” This sentiment underscores Raleigh’s competitive drive and the team’s trust in his ability to self-assess and manage his physical demands. Raleigh’s disciplined approach extends beyond game time, with a meticulously planned daily routine encompassing warm-ups, scouting report reviews, and media obligations. He reportedly arrived at T-Mobile Park every day at 8 a.m. During the offseason to maintain his conditioning.
“He has a unique ability to filter what matters,” a member of the Mariners’ management team commented, highlighting Raleigh’s focus and prioritization. This professionalism was further demonstrated during a mid-season slump in August. Rather than shying away from responsibility, Raleigh proactively volunteered to conduct a video call with a group of Mariners minor leaguers participating in a voluntary high-performance camp. General manager Justin Hollander introduced Raleigh, whose father is a college coach, and he delivered a straightforward message: mediocrity is unacceptable. He emphasized that the Mariners are building towards greatness and that rigorous work ethic is paramount to achieving high personal expectations.
Hollander, observing the captivated attention of the young players, was left without words. “I have nothing to add,” he admitted, recognizing the power of Raleigh’s message, delivered with conviction. This incident exemplifies Raleigh’s dual role as an elite performer and a respected mentor.
Raleigh’s defensive accolades include a Platinum Glove award in . However, his framing metrics did experience a decline last season, preventing him from being a Gold Glove finalist. Raleigh himself acknowledged this, expressing his intention to analyze the data to understand the reasons behind the perceived regression. Evaluators have noted that his glove position at pitch release is typically higher than some peers, which aids in catching high fastballs but can be less effective against low-in-the-zone curveballs. While he excelled at receiving pitches at the top of the zone (+5 rating), he was negative (-4) on those at the bottom. Despite this, his overall offensive dominance solidifies his position as a leading catcher. Last year, he led all catchers in fWAR with a mark of 8.6, significantly surpassing Alejandro Kirk (4.7) and Dillon Dingler (4.1).
Alejandro Kirk of an unnamed team stands out for his exceptional plate discipline, boasting the best strikeout rate among catchers at 10.6%. This makes him a particularly challenging opponent, especially when batting behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Former catcher David Ross praised Kirk’s offensive skills, noting that opposing pitchers are forced to pitch to him when Guerrero is up, lest they risk giving up a free pass. Ross also highlighted Kirk’s leadership qualities and relaxed demeanor behind the plate, describing him as “sitting in a rocking chair.” Kirk also ranked second in Baseball Savant’s framing statistics among catchers.
Will Smith, also of an unnamed team, has a legacy defined by clutch moments, including a game-clinching home run in the playoffs. Evaluators acknowledge his defensive improvements over his career, but primarily view him as an offensive-minded catcher who continues to excel in that area. His OPS+ of 152 last season was the best of his career over a full season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized Smith’s importance as a right-handed power threat, providing crucial balance to a lineup featuring left-handed hitters like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. Ross nicknamed him “The General,” citing his commanding presence and unwillingness to be intimidated: “He’s willing to fight for his team and his pitcher.”
Other notable catchers, such as Adley Rutschman, are recognized for their elite defensive skills. Rutschman has earned back-to-back Gold Gloves, and his framing metrics – leading the league with a +25 on Baseball Savant, ahead of Kirk (+17) and Austin Wells (+12) – demonstrate his exceptional ability to control the strike zone. Despite a slight dip in his slugging percentage, Contreras remained a valuable offensive contributor, recording 147 hits and 84 walks for an on-base percentage of .355.
These rankings underscore the multifaceted nature of the modern catcher, where defensive skill, leadership qualities, and offensive power converge to define excellence behind the plate in Major League Baseball.
