Stephen Vogt and Robinson Chirinos are undervalued in category leagues
By Mike Marteny
The All Star Break provides time for reflection, and a chance to look at just where your team has gone wrong. Or right, if the case may be.
As all of you fantasy veterans well know, you can never be too comfortable in first place, or too far out in last. Not with more than two months left of the season. That said, now is the time to start looking for those players that can help you gain elusive points in category leagues.
That is where I come in. I will provide players that can help in each 5×5 category at each position. Some of these guys may be one-category wonders, but if you need that category, is it really such a bad thing?
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Most of these guys you will have to trade for. Trades are not a bad thing. They are often the only way you can get your team back into contention.
Would you trade him for Billy Hamilton? Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
In one of my leagues for example, someone just traded Carlos Gonzalez for Billy Hamilton. Straight up. He was miles ahead in runs and homers, but near the bottom in steals. So he went out and got the one guy who can net him upwards of five points in that category for the rest of the season. Some in the league complained, but I thought it was brilliant. There is no one else that can give him what he needs like Hamilton.
This piece will focus on catchers. I will only give you the raw stats, not my opinion on what you should do in these pieces. The stats should speak for themselves.
I will give the top 5 in each cateory, and a sleeper for the rest of the way.
Welcome back to fantasy relevance, Carlos Santana! Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Runs:
Jonathan Lucroy, 45
Carlos Santana, 39
Salvador Perez, 39
Joe Mauer, 38
Yan Gomes, 37
Sleeper: Stephen Vogt. He will play everyday, which is rare for a catcher!
Need power? Gattis is a good source. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Home Runs:
Devin Mesoraco, 16
Evan Gattis, 16
Carlos Santana, 14
Mike Zunino, 13
Yan Gomes, 12
Sleeper: Robinson Chirinos. He has three homers in the last two weeks, and is seeing regular at bats at first base as well.
Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (39) in the on deck circle. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
RBI:
Miguel Montero, 52
Buster Posey, 46
Devin Mesoraco, 45
Jonathan Lucroy, 44
Brian McCann, 39
Even Gattis, 39
Sleeper: Salvador Perez. He has 16 RBI in the last month, and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Mauer still has some speed left. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Stolen Bases:
Joe Mauer, 3
Carlos Ruiz, 3
Chris Ianetta, 3
Jonathan Lucroy, 3
Sleeper: none. You don’t look to catchers for steals. Anything above zero is a bonus!
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy bats during a game. David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Average: (minimum 100 at bats)
Stephen Vogt, .358
Jonathan Lucroy, .315
Kurt Suzuki, .309
Devin Mesoraco, .304
Derek Norris, .294
Sleeper: Wilson Ramos. If he stays healthy, he can help you everywhere. He has hit .327 since his return from the DL.
So what did we learn here? That Lucroy and Mesoraco are having outstanding years, and will probably cost too much. There are a few that can help you out though, that won’t cost a whole lot. Vogt is owned in less than half of ESPN leagues, and he is playing everyday!
Next we will focus on first basemen!