1. Joe Mauer MIN

Who would be shocked at this? The dude was the most coveted catcher in the league the past couple of years because of his incredibly high average, but now he adds power and gaudy RBI totals? Man, that’s Top 5 material. Keeper worthy. You’d be an idiot not to want him on your fantasy squad.

2. Victor Martinez BOS

After a dreadful 2008 campaign, so dreadful that there are no words to accurately describe it, V-Mart reverted back to his career norm. He tore it up after being traded to Boston, and in that lineup while seeing some time at first base and designated hitter, Martinez should play 155 games again and approach a .310 AVG with 120 RBIs.

3. Brian McCann ATL

A consistent performer, a run-producing catcher, a perennial All-Star. That’s McCann for you. You’re guaranteed to get 90 RBIs, 65 runs, 20 bombs and a .280 average, and there’s always that chance that he exceeds those numbers. Proceed with confidence, he will be a Top 3 catcher in fantasy by year’s end.

4. Jorge Posada NYY

Posada has struggled throwing out runners his whole career, but that’s no matter for fantasy owners. All that matters is his offense, and there has not been an issue there pretty much since he came into the league 13 years ago. If healthy (which is a bit of a question in his advanced age), he’ll give you 20 dingers, 80-90 RBIs, at least a .280 average with potential for more and a really solid on-base percentage if you’re playing head-to-head or points leagues.

5. Geovany Soto CHC

With this No. 5 ranking, think more 2008 than 2009. Soto had terrible luck last year, both with injuries and with balls in play, and epitomized the term “sophomore slump.” This year, his third year in the season, the Cubs’ lineup should be better, he has shed pounds in the offseason which will help the wear and tear catching has on his body and his luck should even out. All of that equals a year more like his Rookie of the Year campaign. Expect at least 20 homers with 80 RBIs and a .280 average.

6. Mike Napoli LAA

He hits for a high average, he hits bombs and he’s still managed to stay out of the limelight. That means you’ll be able to get him in the middle-to-late rounds, yet he’ll perform like a Top 5 catcher. If the Angels give him 450 at-bats, he could hit 30 bombs. Probably won’t, but it doesn’t hurt to dream.

7. Miguel Montero ARI

If anybody drafted him as their starting catcher last year, I would look into a career in fortune-telling. The little-known, little-used backstop put together a very solid year all around, scoring and driving in runs, hitting homers and hitting for average. As a catcher that’s incredible. Don’t expect anything less this year. He’s a professional and will again be a Top 10 fantasy catcher.

8. Matt Wieters BAL

Mr. uber-prospect has been the talk of the town for the past couple of years. He saw some solid time with the big club last year and after a rough start, ended up hitting .288 with nine homers in 354 at-bats. Project that out to a full season while taking into account natural progression and you got a .295 average with 15 homers. With his all-world potential, it wouldn’t be a bad choice to take him earlier than normal if you’re in a keeper league. Either way, he seems as good as advertised.

9. Russell Martin LAD

The second of the L.A. catchers gets all the credit, but he shouldn’t in fantasy circles. Martin was an incredible fantasy catcher three years ago, pretty good two seasons ago and just OK last year. If his current trend continues, he’ll be lucky to crack the Top 10 fantasy catchers. His average is down, his power is down, his steals are down, his walks are down, his run totals are down and as a result, I’m down on him. Based on his excellent leadership skills and solid postseason production, somebody is bound to draft him too early. Don’t let that be you.

10. Bengie Molina FA

The elder Molina hits for average and power and drives in runs, but because he is such a slow, plodding baserunner (he is widely regarded as the slowest player in the Majors today), he will never score a lot of runs. As of right now, he is still a free agent, and depending on what team he signs with, his production could vary. In the Giants’ lineup he was he cleanup hitter most of the time, allowing for plenty of RBI opportunities. In another lineup, he would probably be a six hitter, which would obviously knock down his RBI numbers. Keep a watch on where he signs, but be assured that he will sign and start somewhere and he will hit home runs from behind the plate, which is always a welcome addition to any fantasy team.

11. Yadier Molina STL

What is it with “M”-named catchers? This is seven now in the top 11. Molina is the worst of them fantasywise, however. He is a great defender and has a laser-rocket arm that would easily rival Peyton Manning’s, but that won’t win anybody any fantasy championships. He does hit for a high average and he does hit a handful of homers, but that’s about it. The youngest Molina came out of nowhere to steal nine bases last year and that would be a great boost to get steals from the catching spot, but I would make him prove he can do it again before regarding that total as anything more than a fluke.

12. Ryan Doumit PIT

Doumit had a terribly down 2009, missing time with various injuries and only managing .250, 10, 38 in 75 games a year after going .318, 15, 69 in 116 games. Assume he will right the ship, but don’t expect 2008 to be his traditional fantasy output, at least until he proves that’s what we all should expect. Also keep in mind that he is on maybe the most offensive-challenged club in the Majors, which will limit his run and RBI totals.

13. John Baker FLA

So the Florida Marlins have to actually pay people some money now, huh? They might want to think about extending this man’s contract. He’s not a superstar, but they could do a lot worse at the catching position. Baker’s average has fluctuated the past two seasons, but he has shown flashes of slight pop while posting decent RBI and run totals for a backstop. Expect .280 with 10 homers, 60 RBIs and 60 runs. Not bad for a very late round pick.

14. Chris Iannetta COL

Iannetta benefited has benefited from the thin air in Denver the past two seasons with 18 and 16 homers, respectively, and should put up solid power numbers again. His average fell to a measly .228 last season, however, and the risk here is, if Iannetta can’t get that back up, Miguel Olivo, who also has a lot of power, is right behind him, waiting to steal at-bats.

15. Kurt Suzuki OAK

No relation to Ichiro, but Suzuki certainly hit like him last season. Despite roughly the same number of at-bats as 2008, Suzuki doubled his home run and RBI output, quadrupled his stolen base total and scored 20 more runs. Either he finally figured out American baseball, or it was a fluke. It’s hard to fake numbers like he put up last season, but based on a slight downtick in his average last year from 2008, I’d say it’s probably somewhere in between fluke and serious talent. I would expect numbers in between ’08 and ’09.

16. A.J. Pierzynski CHW—Good average, slight pop, but not much else

17. Rod Barajas FA—Looking for a club, has power but that’s all

18. Jarrod Saltalamacchia TEX—Big name, big potential, but will he finally reach it?

19. Ramon Hernandez CIN—What happened in ’09? Don’t know but expect rebound

20. Ivan Rodriguez WAS—Pudge has still got a little bit left

21. J.R. Towles HOU—Another case of a slow-developing backstop prospect

22. Gerald Laird DET—If you have to draft him or any below, pack your season in now

23. Gregg Zaun MIL—He’s still playing?

24. Carlos Ruiz PHI—Only reason you should know his name is the World Series

25. Omir Santos NYM—Who?

26. Jason Varitek BOS—The captain has NO fantasy value anymore

27. Jason Kendall KC—He’s durable, but you get no fantasy points for that

28. Buster Posey SF—Big prospect, worth a look in deep keeper leagues

29. Dioner Navarro TB—Terrible average, no power, Kelly Shoppach capable backup

30. Jesus Flores WAS—Pudge was brought in to mentor him, he’s not ready yet