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MLB 2017: Top 10 catchers

By Joshua Sadlock

Jul 16, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) hits an RBI double during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 16, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) hits an RBI double during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 19, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (11) throws out Washington Nationals right fielder Chris Heisey (not pictured) at first base during the second inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (11) throws out Washington Nationals right fielder Chris Heisey (not pictured) at first base during the second inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

9. J.T. Realmuto, Miami Marlins

Realmuto can get lost in the shuffle down in Miami with so many young and talented hitters like Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna, and Dee Gordon. Without quite as much flair, Realmuto was actually third on the team in WAR last season, ahead of both Stanton and Ozuna. He was ahead of them too in oWAR, which takes defensive value out of the equation.

In his three seasons with the Marlins so far, Realmuto has slashed .281/.317/.416. He has also gotten better each season so far in the big leagues and is still only entering his age-26 season. It is unlikely that there is huge upside potential left in Realmuto at this point, but he has safely established himself as a quality starting catcher in the major leagues.

You’re probably not buying a ticket to a Marlins game to see J.T. Realmuto play (if you’re even buying a ticket to a Marlins game at all), but he will be a big part of helping turn the team into a more consistent winner in the future. Very few catchers are transcendent stars, but the Marlins have a solid contributor on their hands in Realmuto, and that matters very much when it comes to winning.

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