Spring training always brings unexpected shake-ups in fantasy baseball rankings, and this year, Francisco Alvarez‘s injury has caused a significant drop in his stock. Originally projected as a Tier 3 catcher, Alvarez now finds himself sliding into Tier 4 due to uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline and potential impact on his power output in 2025.
The New York Mets’ young backstop was expected to take a big step forward this season. However, with a hand injury suffered in March sidelining him for 6-8 weeks, dynasty managers must recalibrate expectations. While his long-term outlook remains bright, the injury has moved him down the fantasy baseball rankings.
Here at RotoProspects, we provide position-by-position 2025 fantasy baseball rankings and projections, broken into tiers. Check out a quick look at the first two tiers at catcher below. You can check out the entire list of the top 62 catchers, with where they slot into eight tiers, by clicking here (subscription required).
Tier 1: The Elite Backstop
Only one catcher currently holds Tier 1 status in our updated fantasy baseball rankings, and he has firmly established himself as the premier option at the position.
1. William Contreras (Milwaukee Brewers, Age 27)
Contreras has emerged as the most well-rounded catcher in fantasy baseball. He provides elite contact skills, solid power, and run production in a strong Brewers lineup. His .824 OPS and ability to steal a few bases give him a unique edge.
| No. | TIER 1 | Age | PA | HR | R | RBI | SB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | BB% | K% |
| 1 | William Contreras, Mil | 27 | 626 | 24 | 84 | 84 | 7 | .277 | .357 | .467 | .824 | 10.8 | 20.9 |
Tier 2: The Next Best Options
If you miss out on William Contreras, these Tier 2 options provide strong contributions at the position with varying strengths.
2. Yainer Diaz (Houston Astros, Age 26)
Diaz offers one of the best batting averages among catchers while providing above-average power. He’s an excellent option for fantasy managers looking for consistent production.
3. Salvador Perez (Kansas City Royals, Age 35)
Even at 35, Perez remains a reliable power source behind the plate. His durability and ability to rack up RBIs make him a valuable asset, though his low OBP and lack of speed keep him out of Tier 1.
4. Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners, Age 28)
If you’re looking for elite home run potential, Raleigh is your guy. His 31 projected homers are the highest among all catchers, but his low batting average and high strikeout rate limit his overall fantasy value.
5. Willson Contreras (St. Louis Cardinals, Age 33)
Contreras brings a well-rounded skill set with decent power, OBP, and a touch of speed. His ability to contribute across multiple categories makes him a solid mid-tier catching option.
6. Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles, Age 27)
Rutschman is one of the safest floor players at catcher. He doesn’t have the elite power of Raleigh or Perez, but he provides a balanced stat line with strong OBP and solid counting stats.
| No. | TIER 2 | Age | PA | HR | R | RBI | SB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | BB% | K% |
| 2 | Yainer Diaz, Hou | 26 | 563 | 22 | 67 | 77 | 1 | .281 | .316 | .463 | .779 | 4.4 | 19.3 |
| 3 | Salvador Perez, KC | 35 | 600 | 25 | 69 | 86 | 0 | .259 | .309 | .444 | .753 | 5.3 | 21.8 |
| 4 | Cal Raleigh, Sea | 28 | 591 | 31 | 73 | 88 | 4 | .236 | .315 | .468 | .783 | 10.1 | 27.5 |
| 5 | Willson Contreras, SL | 33 | 570 | 23 | 74 | 77 | 6 | .249 | .346 | .439 | .785 | 10.4 | 24.1 |
| 6 | Adley Rutschman, Bal | 27 | 615 | 20 | 81 | 71 | 2 | .261 | .348 | .428 | .776 | 11.4 | 15.7 |
Final Thoughts & Fantasy Outlook
Alvarez’s injury shakes up the catcher landscape, but dynasty managers still have plenty of strong options. William Contreras remains the clear-cut top choice, while Tier 2 features a mix of power hitters, OBP machines, and reliable contributors.
With Alvarez now in Tier 4, fantasy managers should temper their expectations for 2025 while keeping an eye on his recovery progress. If he bounces back strong in the second half, he could work his way back up the rankings—but for now, these Tier 1 and Tier 2 catchers offer more reliable production at the position.
How Fantasy Managers Should Adjust
- Target an early catcher: If you were counting on Alvarez, it’s best to pivot to a Tier 2 catcher like Díaz or Raleigh, depending on whether you prefer batting average or power.
- Monitor Alvarez’s recovery: If he’s dropped in your league, he could be a great midseason stash, particularly in keeper and dynasty formats.
- Consider streaming options: If you wait on catcher, looking for hot streaks from mid-tier options or platooning with matchups could help mitigate the loss.
- Be cautious in redraft leagues: If you’re playing in a one-year league, Alvarez’s injury makes him a risky pick at his previous draft position. Consider waiting until later rounds to grab him at a discount.