Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball 2026 Catcher Preview
Jan 20, 2026
Eno and Derek dive into the catcher landscape for 2026, spotlighting Cal Raleigh's remarkable breakout season and the debate over his draft position. They assess potential stars like William Contreras and Ben Rice, highlighting their upside and strategy in drafts. The hosts analyze mid-tier names, including Adley Rutschman and Gabriel Moreno, unpacking health and competition factors. They also discuss late-round targets and deeper options, ensuring listeners are equipped with valuable insights for their fantasy leagues.
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Projection Market Gaps At Catcher
- Composite projections generally view Sal Perez, Will Smith, and Adley Rutschman more highly than ADP, creating value spots.
- Projection disagreement stems mostly from differing regression assumptions and input metrics like barrel rates.
Use Rutschman As A Late-Round Safety Net
- Target Adley Rutschman late in shallow leagues or as a last-round flier in deeper leagues if you prefer to wait on catcher.
- Use waivers to replace him if health or playing time falters early.
A-Swing Boost Explains Power Surges
- Gabriel Moreno and other catchers show large 'A-swing' bat-speed boosts in advantage counts, explaining sudden power upticks.
- Players who swung faster more often turned those advantage counts into significantly better outcomes.