Panzram
03-15-2006, 02:58 PM
Jeff Mathis - C - Angels - Mathis is expected to compete with Jose Molina for the starting catching job in Anaheim with the free agent departure of Bengie Molina. He struggled initially at AAA last season but eventually put together solid numbers for a catcher. He batted .276 with 21 HR and 73 RBI. The team obviously has faith in Mathis or they would not have let Bengie go. Mathis will be given every chance to succeed and should be considered a viable fantasy option at catcher.
Kenji Johjima - C - Mariners - Johjima is the latest Japanese import and, like most of his predecessors, he experienced great success in Japan before coming to America. Johjima hit .309 last season with 24 HR and 57 RBI. Over his last five seasons in Japan, he averaged 30 HR and 87 RBI. He will likely experience a learning curve in his first season in the majors so expect a dip in home runs and a slightly lower average.
Josh Willingham - C - Marlins - Willingham has been an OPS monster in the minors, but the fact he's a 2B-turned-catcher has slowed his progress -- along with a broken arm last year. He will compete with Miguel Olivo to be the rebuilding Marlins' everyday catcher and his promising bat should trump his below-average defense. Consider him a viable No. 2 at the position late in mixed leagues.
Brian McCann - C - Braves - McCann filled in admirably for the Braves after Johnny Estrada went down, playing in 59 games with five homers. He may be better known around your fantasy colleagues, but expect him to hit .270 with 15 homers -- quite similar to Johjima, I know. The Braves’ catcher will probably cost you a bit, but he’ll be worth it, especially with the dearth of talent after Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek. You don’t want someone like Brad Ausmus behind the plate, do you?
Justin Huber - 1B/C - Royals - Huber has long shown a keen eye at the plate, but in 2005 he continued the power surge that began the previous year. Last season Huber played 120 games between AA-Wichita and AAA-Omaha, and between the two levels he logged 55 extra-base hits and 67 walks. First base is obviously the realm of Mike Sweeney, but a trade is a distinct possibility, and Huber might also pick up a few ABs at catcher. In any event, the Royals will find a way to get him on the field in '06.
Kenji Johjima - C - Mariners - Johjima is the latest Japanese import and, like most of his predecessors, he experienced great success in Japan before coming to America. Johjima hit .309 last season with 24 HR and 57 RBI. Over his last five seasons in Japan, he averaged 30 HR and 87 RBI. He will likely experience a learning curve in his first season in the majors so expect a dip in home runs and a slightly lower average.
Josh Willingham - C - Marlins - Willingham has been an OPS monster in the minors, but the fact he's a 2B-turned-catcher has slowed his progress -- along with a broken arm last year. He will compete with Miguel Olivo to be the rebuilding Marlins' everyday catcher and his promising bat should trump his below-average defense. Consider him a viable No. 2 at the position late in mixed leagues.
Brian McCann - C - Braves - McCann filled in admirably for the Braves after Johnny Estrada went down, playing in 59 games with five homers. He may be better known around your fantasy colleagues, but expect him to hit .270 with 15 homers -- quite similar to Johjima, I know. The Braves’ catcher will probably cost you a bit, but he’ll be worth it, especially with the dearth of talent after Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek. You don’t want someone like Brad Ausmus behind the plate, do you?
Justin Huber - 1B/C - Royals - Huber has long shown a keen eye at the plate, but in 2005 he continued the power surge that began the previous year. Last season Huber played 120 games between AA-Wichita and AAA-Omaha, and between the two levels he logged 55 extra-base hits and 67 walks. First base is obviously the realm of Mike Sweeney, but a trade is a distinct possibility, and Huber might also pick up a few ABs at catcher. In any event, the Royals will find a way to get him on the field in '06.