Sport: MLB

The final true “position” in November’s fantasy baseball preview. After previewing each of the other offensive positions for fantasy baseball managers, we now shift to catcher.

Catchers fantasy values depend entirely on league type. In shallow formats with only one catcher, the position is rarely viewed as a priority. In deep two-catcher formats, gaining an edge is an essential part of building your team. This article provides a glimpse into what fantasy baseball managers can expect from the position in 2026.

Check out the 2025 fantasy baseball takeaways for catchers here!

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2026 Catcher Preview
The Elite Fantasy Baseball Picks
Cal Raleigh – Seattle Mariners

Even those who entered the season with high expectations for Cal Raleigh were not expecting this. Raleigh turned himself into an MVP candidate and nearly led the Mariners to the World Series. In 157 games, Raleigh hit .247 with 60 home runs and 14 stolen bases. He added another five home runs in the playoffs as well.

Increases to Raleigh’s barrel rate and pulled air percentage helped to fuel this power outbreak. Regression should be expected in 2026, but Raleigh’s sensational power makes him a 40+ homer threat and one of the best catchers in all of fantasy baseball. Expect Raleigh to be a top 25 pick in fantasy drafts next season.

Shea Langeliers – Athletics

There were a few options to consider as the other elite catcher going into 2026. Why not pick the 27-year-old who is coming off a career season? Langeliers broke out in a big way for the Athletics last season. No doubt fueled by playing his home games in Sacramento, Langeliers crushed a career high 27 home runs.

What really stood out from his 2025 season was the improvement in his batting average. Langeliers brought his average up from .224 in 2024 to .277 in 2025. BABIP and home ballpark certainly played roles in that, but Langeliers also significantly reduced his whiff rate last season, making this batting average surge more believable.

Langeliers turned himself into one of the top fantasy catchers out there. As the Athletics’ team context continues to improve, Langeliers should see improvements to his counting stats to go along with his plus power and newfound contact skills.

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Candidates
Kyle Teel – Chicago White Sox

The success Kyle Teel found once he made his Major League debut seems to be flying completely under the radar. Teel played in 78 games with the White Sox and posted a 125 wRC+ in those. He finished with a .273 batting average and eight home runs.

The numbers for Teel look even better if you factor in an acclimation period. From August 11 forward, Teel slashed .293/.397/.459 with six home runs and a 12.8% walk rate. In his first taste of Major League action, Teel showed off strong barrel skills, a natural feel for getting to his pull side, a knack for hitting line drives, and great plate discipline. Teel seemed to really find his groove as he grew more comfortable. He should be locked into an everyday role and profiles as a great sleeper pick for 2026.

Dillon Dingler – Detroit Tigers

In his first full professional season, Dillon Dingler did not do anything flashy. He played in 126 games for the Tigers, finishing with a .278 average and 13 home runs. If you were not paying attention or were already out of contention, you may have missed how well Dillon Dingler played down the back stretch of the season.

From July 13 forward, Dingler slashed .300/.357/.447. His exit velocity and barrel rate were both up during the second half, while his chase rate decreased as well. From an expected stats standpoint, his xBA on the season was .301 while his xSLG was .487.

With a full season of Major League action under his belt, Dingler should continue to get even better. An already elite defensive catcher, Dingler has a chance to be amongst the top breakouts in 2026. He is a prime sleeper candidate for 2026 fantasy baseball drafts.

2025 Seasons to be Wary Of
Hunter Goodman – Colorado Rockies

The fantasy community has been quick to buy into the Hunter Goodman hype. After the season he put together in 2025, it is hard not to. In 144 games, Goodman posted a .278 batting average with 31 home runs. The batting average is what was most surprising, and what should worry fantasy baseball managers moving forward.

Goodman’s chase and whiff rates both ranked in the eighth percentile in all of baseball. His sweet spot percentage was also well below the league average. There were only three hitters in all of baseball who posted a line drive rate below 20%, a pull rate above 50%, and saw their BABIP sit above .300. Goodman’s .330 BABIP is certain to see regression even with the benefit of playing his home games in Coors Field.

Willson Contreras – St. Louis Cardinals

Including Willson Contreras in this article is probably cheating a bit. However, the general point that I wanted to make was that Contreras will not have catcher eligibility in 2026.

Part of what made Contreras such a valuable fantasy option last season was his ability to play every day at first base while slotting into the catcher spot in your fantasy lineup. Managers will no longer have that luxury in 2025. Contreras is a fine first base option for managers, coming off a season in which he hit .257 with 20 home runs. However, mediocre production at a position with such a high bar will not be a difference maker.

In all, Contreras’ inclusion on this list is meant to serve as a reminder that fantasy baseball managers will not be able to count on his production at catcher in 2026.

Prospects Set to Make a Fantasy Baseball Impact
Joe Mack – Miami Marlins

Yes, Agustin Ramirez is the guy in Miami. However, there are serious questions about his ability to catch long-term, and the team could opt to use him more as a DH or first baseman.

Joe Mack gives the team the flexibility to do so as he is knocking on the door of the Major Leagues. Mack made his way to Triple-A last season and finished with 21 home runs on the year. Although he has a suspect hit tool, Mack has 25-30 home run potential and scouts rave about his defensive abilities.

Fantasy baseball managers will not need to draft Mack, but he is certainly a name they should expect to see at some point in 2026. The power upside will make him worth adding once promoted.

Carter Jensen – Kansas City Royals

Carter Jensen made his Major League debut in 2025, but still technically classifies as a prospect. In 20 Major League games last season, Jensen more than held his own. He hit .300 with three homers. His wRC+ was up at 159 by the end of the season.

His Major League success was just a continuation of what Jensen did in the Minor Leagues last season. Great barrel rates, strong line drive numbers, and plus plate discipline. With Salvador Perez getting another year older, the Royals are likely to give Jensen an extended run behind the dish next season. He has the offensive upside to turn into a top-tier fantasy catcher with consistent playing time.

Jensen is a fun sleeper pick and certainly a prospect who could make a fantasy baseball impact in 2026.

Pay Attention to the Off-Season
The position battle in Atlanta

Sean Murphy is under contract through the 2028 season. The team could trade him, but that does not feel like the Braves thing to do. With Murphy unlikely to go anywhere, the focus will be on how the team splits time between Murphy and 2025 breakout Drake Baldwin.

The team could decide to use both players, with one serving as the DH. Fantasy baseball managers will need to pay attention to this situation closely throughout the off-season and during Spring Training. If given everyday playing time, Baldwin represents an elite fantasy option. Baldwin hit .274 with 19 home runs in 124 games last season.

Do the Yankees commit to giving Ben Rice every day playing time?

The thought entering this off-season is that the Yankees have to give Ben Rice every day playing time in 2026. Rice posted a 133 wRC+ last season, and the underlying numbers suggest he should have seen even better results.

The big question is where Rice will play. Rice could see time at first base with Paul Goldschmidt departing. However, the team could also opt to give Rice an extended look behind the dish. Rice playing catcher would certainly hurt the value of Austin Wells, whose 2025 season was disappointing. The pressure is on for the Yankees to make changes heading into 2026. Rice’s playing time and defensive use are certainly one with major fantasy implications.

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