May Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings: Key Insights for Your Draft

As we step into May, it’s the perfect time to reassess the landscape of fantasy baseball catchers. With a month of games behind us, we have enough information to form actionable insights, or at the very least, educated guesses about the players in this critical position. This analysis excludes those currently on the injured list and any minor league players, focusing solely on those who are ready to contribute to your fantasy team.

The rankings below reflect how I would approach a fresh draft tonight, treating earlier performances as auditions rather than definitive measures of talent. Keep in mind that the salaries listed are comparison tools; players with the same salary should be considered on equal footing.

$28 Ben Rice
$27 Drake Baldwin
$26 Cal Raleigh
$24 William Contreras
$23 Shea Langeliers
$18 Liam Hicks
$16 Will Smith
$16 Hunter Goodman

Leading the pack is Ben Rice, who plays a vital role in propelling the Yankees to the best offense in the American League. His impressive Savant statistics reveal that he has mastered left-handed pitching, boasting a .367 batting average, a .457 on-base percentage, and an astonishing .867 slugging percentage against them. Additionally, Rice has shown consistency on the road with a .362 average. His walk rate has nearly doubled, and while his strikeouts have increased slightly, they remain manageable. Clearly, Rice is making a name for himself this season.

Drake Baldwin is another standout, contributing to the Braves’ offensive dominance. Atlanta has deployed Baldwin daily, even using him as a designated hitter at times. Initially batting second in the lineup, he has since taken over the leadoff spot due to Ronald Acuña Jr.’s injury. Baldwin’s hard-hit rate has surged, showcasing his development as a hitter while maintaining impressive averages that are well-supported by his Statcast metrics. It’s a thrilling time for Baldwin and Braves fans alike.

Cal Raleigh’s career trajectory suggests he is a solid bet, averaging a line of .222/.303/.457 over the past few seasons, with 35 home runs and 92 RBIs. While not an MVP candidate, his consistency makes him a valuable asset in any fantasy lineup.

$14 Ryan Jeffers
$14 Iván Herrera
$13 Adley Rutschman
$12 Dillon Dingler
$12 Salvador Pérez
$10 Dalton Rushing
$9 Carter Jensen
$8 Moisés Ballesteros
$8 Francisco Alvarez
$7 Carson Kelly
$6 Samuel Basallo

Dillon Dingler presents an intriguing buy-low opportunity at this stage. Despite decent statistics, he has been somewhat unlucky, with Statcast indicating he should be hitting around .306 and slugging .588. His Gold Glove defense ensures he stays in the lineup regularly, and at 27, he’s in his prime. Better days are ahead for Dingler.

Meanwhile, Iván Herrera has seen a slight dip in slugging but remains a valuable player with more walks than strikeouts and an impressive .402 on-base percentage. The Cardinals are utilizing him effectively, as he hasn’t missed a game this season and is currently batting in the No. 2 slot of a lineup that is performing well.

Dalton Rushing is one of the most intriguing prospects for 2026, known for his hitting prowess but facing challenges due to being blocked at multiple positions by established stars. The Dodgers are working creatively to find him playing time, and while he may not be an immediate starter in one-catcher leagues, he could be a valuable stash in deeper formats.

$5 JT Realmuto
$5 Gabriel Moreno
$4 Gary Sanchez
$2 Adrian Del Castillo
$2 Christian Vázquez
$2 Pedro Pages
$1 Miguel Amaya
$1 Victor Caratini
$1 Austin Wells
$1 Carlos Narváez
$1 Tyler Stephenson

Gabriel Moreno has found a more suitable spot in the batting order since returning from his oblique injury, moving away from the cleanup position. Once projected as a potential star, he may settle into a role as a good-average, low-power hitter. There’s still some deeper-league value here, but he’ll need to prove himself to see an increase in salary.

As for JT Realmuto, his status has shifted to a low-ceiling, volume play. With diminished power and no stolen base attempts this season, he finds himself consistently batting in the lower third of the order. While it’s natural for players to experience declines in their mid-30s, it’s essential to recognize that sentimentality for past stars shouldn’t cloud our judgment in fantasy leagues.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.