Z - MLB Positional Outlook

Catchers Outlook

August 17, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Bryce McRae

CATCHERS

Table: Do not bench list

Player	Team
Victor Martinez	CLE
Russell Martin	LAD
Jorge Posada	NYY
Joe Mauer	MIN
Ivan Rodriguez	DET
Brian McCann	ATL

UPPER ECHELON

Kenji Johjima, Seattle Mariners

Schedule: 7 games - @MIN (3), @TEX (4)

Analysis: With a .191 batting average and only seven RBI in 25 games in July, it would be understandable if you had written off Johjima for the month of August. However, he has turned things around in a hurry in August, helping keep the Mariners postseason aspirations alive. In nine games this month, he is hitting .343 with two home runs, six RBI and four runs scored. In the coming week he will be playing games at both the Metrodome and the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. For his career, Johjima is hitting .400 with three RBI, one home run and three runs in four games at the 'Dome. In Texas, Johjima is hitting .246 with four RBI, two home runs and six runs in 14 career games. With the tear he is on this month, the man from Japan should remain in your lineup regardless of who he is playing.

Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox

Schedule: 7 games - @TB (3), @CWS (4)

Analysis: With the Yankees closing fast, the Red Sox will need their captain to improve his performance this month. Since the All-Star break, Varitek is hitting just .241 with two home runs, 14 RBI and 13 runs in 25 games. The RBI and run totals have improved, however, the average and home runs are still down. This week he will be making the trip to Tropicana Field and U.S. Cellular Field. Over his career in Tampa (50 games), Varitek is hitting .302 with nine home runs, 21 RBI and 23 runs. At U.S. Cellular, he is hitting just .234 but has five home runs, 10 RBI and 12 runs in just 31 games. With that kind of numbers, this could be a bigger week for Varitek, keep him in the lineup.

Bengie Molina, San Francisco Giants

Schedule: 7 games - @FLA (1), CHC (3), MIL (3)

Analysis: Like Varitek, Molina has tailed off since the All-Star break. In 28 games, he is hitting just .235 with four home runs, 18 RBI and six runs. August has seen a slight improvement as he is hitting .250 with two home runs, 10 RBI and three runs in 13 games. With his first game at Dolphin Stadium, it could be a rough start to the week. In four career games there, Molina is hitting just .214 with one RBI. However, it should improve as he is hitting .291 with five home runs, 36 RBI and eight runs in 50 home games. It wouldn't be a bad idea to drop him for the Marlins' game, but he should definitely be starting the rest of the week.

Ramon Hernandez, Baltimore Orioles

Schedule: 7 games - TEX (3), MIN (4)

Analysis: Hernandez has tailed off a little since the All-Star break, especially in August. So far this month, Hernandez is hitting .200 with just two RBI and two runs in 11 games. Since the break he has just one home run and 10 RBI in 25 games. However, if you are looking for him to break out of that slump, this could be the week. With all seven games at Camden Yards, it could be a big week for Hernandez. In 124 games at home, Hernandez is hitting .310 with 21 home runs, 87 RBI and 57 runs. Because of that, he should be left in the starting lineup this week.

MIDRANGE

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Texas Rangers

Schedule: 7 games - @BAL (3), SEA (4)

Analysis: Saltalamacchia has not had the kind of start to his Rangers' career as he likely hoped, hitting just .163 with three RBI and four runs in 13 games since coming over at the trade deadline. However, manager Ron Washington has said he will continue to use Salty and catcher Gerald Laird in a platoon situation for the rest of the season in order get Salty some experience. He has never played a game at Safeco Field, but in eight games at the Rangers Ballpark, he is hitting .179 with one RBI and four runs. This is perhaps a situation where you should wait and see how he does at the beginning of the week. If he shows signs of life, it would be well worth putting him in your starting lineup.

Johnny Estrada, Milwaukee Brewers

Schedule: 6 games - @ARI (3), @SF (3)

Analysis: Estrada has been struggling since the All-Star break, especially this month as he has just as .250 average and only one RBI and one run in 11 games. That could change this week as he has hit well at both ballparks he'll be playing in. In 63 career games at Chase Field, Estrada is hitting .285 with seven home runs, 34 RBI and 26 runs. In 12 career games at AT&T Park, Estrada is hitting .386 with three home runs, 15 RBI and five runs. Wit that kind of history, Estrada should be able to improve on the .235 average he has had since the All-Star break. He would be worth starting in either series.

A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox

Schedule: 7 games - KC (3), BOS (4)

Analysis: If Pierzynski hit as well as he has since the All-Star break from the beginning of the season, it is possible the team would not be near the cellar of the American League Central right now. In 27 post-All-Star break games, A.J. is hitting .333 with three home runs, 13 RBI and 15 runs. It should stay around the same for him in the coming week as he will have all seven games at home, where he has hit .275 with 29 home runs, 96 RBI and 96 runs in 218 career games. Pierzynski should remain in your starting lineup until he starts to show signs of slowing down.

OTHERS FOR CONSIDERATION

Chris Snyder, Arizona Diamondbacks

Schedule: 7 games - MIL (3), CHC (3)

Analysis: The difference between the pre- and post-All-Star break Snyder has been like the difference between night and day. In 57 games pre All-Star break, Snyder hit .212 and had just 16 RBI. In 22 games post All-Star break, he is hitting .362 with four home runs, 17 RBI and eight runs. Things should stay around the same this week as Snyder has a .276 average with four home runs, 15 RBI and 14 runs in 40 home games this season. With the second half he is having, Snyder should be kept in the lineup until he cools off.

Yorvit Torrealba, Colorado Rockies

Schedule: 7 games - PIT (4), WSH (3)

Analysis: Torrealba has cooled off this month after a hot July (.391 average, three home runs, 10 RBI, 16 runs). In 13 games in August, he is hitting just .229 with only two RBI and 10 runs. One positive in his favor this week will be playing all seven games at Coors Field. In 88 career home games there, he is hitting .286 with nine home runs, 56 RBI and 39 runs. He is someone to consider this week, especially if you need runs.

Ronny Paulino, Pittsburgh Pirates

Schedule: 7 games - @COL (4), @HOU (3)

Analysis: After a poor July in which he hit just .259 with four RBI and one run, Paulino is having a bounce-back August. In 12 games this month, Paulino is hitting .250 and already has three home runs, 11 RBI and eight runs. Helping matters this week will be seven road games. In three career games at Coors Field, Paulino is hitting .625. In eight games at Minute Maid Park, Paulino is hitting .214 with three RBI and one run. Paulino would be a decent start against the Rockies next week, and depending on how he does, could be started against the Astros.

John Buck, Kansas City Royals

Schedule: 6 games - @CWS (3), CLE (3)

Analysis: Buck has slowed down since the All-Star break, hitting just .182 with one home run, 11 RBI and six runs in 22 games. Things are even worse this month. In 11 August games, Buck is hitting just .133 with five RBI and two runs. In the past, U.S. Cellular Field has not been kind to him, so don't expect much of an improvement. In 24 career games there, he is hitting just .240 with nine RBI and 10 runs. He has shown good power, however, and has six home runs. At Kauffman Stadium in his career, Buck is a .240 hitter with 21 home runs, 93 RBI and 70 runs in 194 games. Over his career, Buck has not shown himself to be a great player in August (.217 career average) and might be someone to keep on the bench, at least until he gets out of this slump.

Miguel Olivo, Florida Marlins

Schedule: 7 games - SF (1), @STL (3), @CIN (3)

Analysis: With a .192 average in July, it would have been understandable if you had dropped Olivo from consideration. However, he has turned it around this month and is hitting .267 with two RBI and three runs in nine games. Of course, I use "turned it around" in the loosest sense of the word. Don't look for things to change much until late next week. At Dolphin Stadium, Olivo is just a career .235 hitter. He is not much better at Busch Stadium, hitting just .100 with one RBI in three games. However, at the Great American Ball Park, Olivo has a .364 average with one home run, three RBI and three runs in three career games there. Because of that, Olivo would be a decent start, but only against the Reds.

Jason Kendall, Chicago Cubs

Schedule: 7 games - STL (1), @SF (3), @ARI (3)

Analysis: Kendall's offense game appears to have finally come alive. In August, Kendall is hitting .372 with one home run, nine RBI and eight runs in just 12 games. After just two RBI and four runs in July, those numbers seem Bonds-esque for owners of him. Kendall is a .273 hitter at Wrigley Field in his career so don't expect too much of him to begin the week. However, in the next two series, he should do well. In 25 career games at AT&T Park, Kendall is a .343 hitter with one home run, seven RBI and 16 runs. In 23 games at Chase Field, Kendall is a .376 hitter with three home runs, 11 RBI and 14 runs. Expect him to help out mainly in the average and runs categories, and if you get any home runs or RBI, that is a bonus. Start him against the Giants and D-backs in the coming week.

Dioner Navarro, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Schedule: 7 games - BOS (3), OAK (4)

Analysis: After hitting .177 before the All-Star break, Navarro has come to life and is hitting .288 since. August has been even better and he is hitting .333 with two home runs, five RBI and six runs in 10 games. Thus, despite a .233 career average at Tropicana Field and just five home runs, 24 RBI and 28 runs in 75 career games there, Navarro should be started while he is on this hot streak.

KEY PLAYERS ON DL

Mike Napoli, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Out until Mid-August

Paul Lo Duca, New York Mets - Out until late August

Michael Barrett, San Diego Padres - Out until late August

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Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.