MLB’s Top Players at every position in 2022: Catcher
Every year in MLB we see stars breakout at every position. Some have been doing it for years, others are new to being in the bright lights. Today, we’ll be beginning a series of looking at the top players in every position in 2022. First, we’ll be looking at the top-10 catchers.
It isn’t going to be a list of all-time current players or past performances. All we’re looking at to rank these players are their 2022 seasons.
1. J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies
Realmuto continues to be one of the best offensive and defensive catchers in baseball. He had the best season of his career since 2019, hitting .276/.342/.478 with 22 homers and 84 RBIs. His 6.5 WAR this season is the best of his career as well. Let’s not ignore the defense either. Realmuto has the most putouts at catcher (1,151) and most double plays turned as a catcher (11). No one could steal a base on him either. Realmuto threw 30 runners out, making his caught stealing percentage 44 percent, both of which are the best in MLB this year.
2. Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers
While the Dodgers were eliminated in the NLDS, Smith was yet again a big part of the heavy Dodgers lineup. It was the best year of his career as well, providing a 4.1 WAR in 137 games. Smith had a 120 OPS+ with 26 doubles and 24 home runs. He still puts up good defensive numbers as well, as he was third in putouts this year with 968. Smith also has seven defensive runs saved on the year, most of his career.
3. Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles
The former No. 1 prospect finally made his debut, and it didn’t disappoint. I’m sure Rutschman would’ve liked more productivity, but 35 doubles and a 5.2 WAR is impressive for any rookie. That WAR trails only Carlton Fisk (7.3 in 1972), Mike Piazza (7.0 in 1993), and Thurman Munson (5.5 in 1970) for the highest total in MLB history by a rookie catcher. He’s one of the pieces the Orioles will build around, and he’ll only get better from here on out.
4. Alejandro Kirk, Toronto Blue Jays
Kirk is what peak male performance looks like. In his first full season this year, Kirk made the All-Star team and was a surprisingly good bat in that Blue Jays offense, posting a .285/.372/.786 slash line with 63 RBIs and only 58 strikeouts. With young catcher Gabriel Moreno ready to take over, Kirk will most likely see more time at DH going forward. This season, however, Kirk was able to do it all.
5. Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs
While it was shocking and a little disappointing that Contreras wasn’t dealt at the deadline, he still went out and put-up good numbers. He was an NL All-Star for the third time in his career, hitting 22 home runs and 101 hits. He had the third most assists as a catcher with 49 and tied for the second-most doubles plays turned at seven. Regardless of what uniform Contreras wears next year, his 2022 season was yet another solid one.
6. Sean Murphy, Oakland A’s
Despite a horrid season for the A’s, Murphy produced the best season of his young career. The former Gold Glover is tied for fifth most runners thrown out with 19 and assists with 40. His bat woke up as well, hitting 18 home runs with a .250 batting average and 120 OPS+. For a player who finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2020, Murphy has established himself as one of the most elite defensive catchers in the game.
7. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
The magical season for the Mariners was led by Big Dumper and his walk-off to end their 21-year playoff drought. Low batting averages are always expected for catchers, but Raleigh and his 3.8 WAR and 27 home runs were far from expected. Don’t run on him either, as he trails only Realmuto for most runners thrown out with 25. He’s still only 25, and his 2022 season was more than magical.
8. William Contreras, Atlanta Braves
The younger brother of Willson, William Contreras had himself a breakout season in 2022. The 24-year-old was an NL All-Star, posting a 132 wRC+ and hitting 20 home runs. His athleticism allowed him to play a few games in the outfield, and with such pop in his bat, Contreras should hold down the fort at catcher for the Braves.
9. Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals
Despite an MVP-level season in 2021, Perez cooled down but still put up a solid 2022 season. His OPS+ was 11 while hitting 23 home runs and having a 49-hard hit percentage. The 32-year-old backstop has his best days behind him, trying to remain a solid veteran on a rebuilding team.
10. Travis d’Arnaud, Atlanta Braves
Contreras isn’t the only top catcher in the Braves organization. The former Silver Slugger winner had his first All-Star season in 2022. Of course, splitting time with another catcher will take at-bats away. It wasn’t too much of an issue for d’Arnaud, hitting .268/.319/.472 with 18 home runs and 25 doubles. Him and Contreras spent time splitting between catcher and DH, but that didn’t stop d’Arnaud from having a solid year behind the plate. 956 putouts on the season, the fourth most in MLB.
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