Get ready for some baseball excitement as we dive into Buster Olney's 2026 top 10 players at every MLB position! Today, we're focusing on the catchers, and it's a thrilling ride.
The Catching Elite: Unveiling the Best Behind the Plate
Spring training is in full swing, and it's time to analyze the state of baseball. ESPN's Buster Olney, with the help of industry experts, has ranked the top 10 players at each position for the upcoming 2026 MLB season. Let's start with the catchers, a position that demands both offensive prowess and defensive excellence.
Our objective is clear: identify the cream of the crop for the 2026 season, not a career-long assessment. We'll be unveiling a new position each day over the next two weeks, so stay tuned! Here's the schedule: starting pitchers (Monday), relief pitchers (Tuesday), first basemen (Thursday), and so on, leading up to designated hitters on February 27.
Cal Raleigh: The Home Run King
Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners' star catcher, had an extraordinary 2025 season, smashing 60 home runs, driving in 125 RBIs, and scoring 110 runs. His performance was arguably the best ever by a catcher. This winter, the Mariners' front office discussed Raleigh's workload, aiming to strike a balance between catching and designated hitting duties.
Raleigh caught in 121 games last season and played 38 as a DH. The Mariners hope to replicate this distribution, as Raleigh himself is not one to seek rest. He thrives on playing and has a unique ability to structure his days meticulously. The Mariners' staff trusts his self-assessments, knowing that he dedicates precise time to his left- and right-handed swings, catching preparation, and aiding his teammates.
Leadership and Mentorship
Late last season, during a rare offensive lull, Raleigh took time to mentor Seattle's minor leaguers at the high-performance camp. He emphasized the importance of embracing challenges and setting high expectations, a testament to his leadership qualities. Raleigh, the son of a college coach, understands the value of hard work and shared his insights with the aspiring players.
Top 10 Catchers: A League of Their Own
Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners: Raleigh's defensive prowess earned him a platinum glove in 2024, but his framing numbers dipped last season. However, his offensive dominance cements his position at the top. Last year, he led all catchers in fWAR.
Alejandro Kirk, Toronto Blue Jays: Kirk's strikeout rate of 10.6% is the best among catchers, and his bat-to-ball skills are exceptional. He ranked second in Baseball Savant's framing statistic.
Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers: Smith's place in history is secured by his iconic postseason home run. While his defense has improved, he's an offense-first catcher, and his OPS+ of 152 last season was a career high. David Ross, a former catcher, refers to Smith as 'The General' for his leadership and presence.
Patrick Bailey, San Francisco Giants: Despite offensive struggles, Bailey's defense is considered dominant by almost all evaluators. He's won back-to-back Gold Gloves and ranks first in Baseball Savant's catcher framing metric.
William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers: Contreras contributed significantly to Milwaukee's successful lineup, despite a dip in power. He had 147 hits and drew 84 walks for a .355 on-base percentage.
Dillon Dingler, Detroit Tigers: Dingler, in his first big league season, might be the most underrated player in this group. His throwing arm is considered the best in the majors, and he's compared to Pudge Rodriguez for his quickness and footwork.
Shea Langeliers, Athletics: Langeliers hit 31 homers last season and had an OPS+ of 134. While his home park in Sacramento is a bandbox, he proved his power on the road, posting a .580 slugging percentage.
Austin Wells, New York Yankees: Wells had an inconsistent offensive season but hit 21 homers and ranked near the top in pitch-framing data. The Yankees believe last year was an outlier and expect him to bounce back.
Drake Baldwin, Atlanta Braves: The National League's Rookie of the Year, Baldwin hit with power and consistency, and his platoon splits were impressive.
Gabriel Moreno, Arizona Diamondbacks: Moreno had a strong 2023 season with 4.3 WAR, but injuries have limited his playing time. He's still regarded as an excellent all-around catcher.
Honorable Mentions:
- Hunter Goodman, Colorado Rockies: Goodman blasted 31 homers last year and posted an .803 OPS on the road.
- Carlos Narvaez, Boston Red Sox: The Boston pitching staff praised Narvaez's work behind the plate, even while he played through injuries.
- J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies: Realmuto's ability to frame pitches at the bottom of the zone has diminished, but his relationship with the pitching staff is strong.
- Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles: This is a pivotal season for Rutschman, who has had two seasons of diminished production.
- Francisco Alvarez, New York Mets: Alvarez aims for a bounce-back year after a disappointing 2025.
- Austin Hedges, Cleveland Guardians: Like Bailey, Hedges excels defensively but doesn't provide much offense.
- Yainer Diaz, Houston Astros: Diaz is a hit-first catcher, but his OPS+ fell below average last year.
- Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals: The future Hall of Famer crushed 30 homers last year, but the Royals plan to deploy top prospect Carter Jensen behind the plate more frequently this season.
And there you have it! A comprehensive look at the top catchers in the MLB for the 2026 season. Who do you think will make a splash this year? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments! Let's discuss and debate the future of baseball!
