Backstops That Win Ballgames: The Top 10 MLB Catchers Entering 2026

If you want a quick snapshot of where MLB is headed in 2026, look behind the plate.

Catcher is no longer just “defense first, hope for a single.” The best catchers now provide real middle-of-the-order offense, plus the game-calling/defense that never shows up in the highlight reel.

Below is my Top 10 catchers heading into the 2026 season, ranked using FanGraphs’ 2026 Steamer projections (WAR-based), with a projected stat line for each.

1) Cal Raleigh, Mariners

Projected 2026: 138 G, 615 PA, 38 HR, 88 R, 91 RBI, 8 SB, .230/.331/.487 Raleigh basically broke the catcher power scale last season (he hit 60 HR in 2025) and now 2026 becomes the “can he follow up the impossible?” tour.  Steamer still sees monster production—38 homers and 5.9 WAR—which is absurd for a catcher.

Why he matters in the Avengers-level catcher era: He’s a lineup-warping bat at a position where most teams are thrilled with 15–18 HR.

2) William Contreras, Brewers

Projected 2026: 132 G, 586 PA, 20 HR, 74 R, 74 RBI, 6 SB, .270/.359/.445 Contreras is the “high-floor star”: strong OBP, real power, and enough speed to matter. If Raleigh is the nuclear option, Contreras is the luxury SUV—does everything well and never feels like a liability.

3) Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays

Projected 2026: 107 G, 446 PA, 14 HR, 54 R, 55 RBI, 1 SB, .274/.352/.433 Kirk’s value is the profile teams love in big moments: contact + on-base ability from a catcher spot. He’s the guy who turns lineups over and keeps innings alive. I mean look at this cat, the ideal build of what you imagine an MLB catcher to look like.

4) Adley Rutschman, Orioles

Projected 2026: 125 G, 545 PA, 17 HR, 68 R, 67 RBI, 1 SB, .255/.343/.421 Even after some bumps lately, Rutschman still projects as a top-tier catcher because the overall toolkit is elite: patience, gap power, and a well-rounded offensive profile.

5) Gabriel Moreno, Diamondbacks

Projected 2026: 96 G, 407 PA, 10 HR, 48 R, 50 RBI, 4 SB, .280/.353/.427 Moreno is your “batting average booster” at catcher, with enough pop to avoid being empty contact. In a league where catcher offense can fall off a cliff, he stabilizes your lineup.

6) Patrick Bailey, Giants

Projected 2026: 104 G, 402 PA, 8 HR, 40 R, 38 RBI, 2 SB, .226/.290/.346 This is the glove-first superstar archetype. Bailey’s projection isn’t sexy at the plate, but Steamer still ranks him highly because the overall catcher value (defense, framing, game management) can be massive.

7) Austin Wells, Yankees

Projected 2026: 100 G, 386 PA, 16 HR, 47 R, 48 RBI, 5 SB, .229/.301/.422 Wells brings lefty power and sneaky athleticism for the position. If he holds his own defensively while giving you mid-teens homers, that’s a serious advantage in today’s catcher landscape.

8) Will Smith, Dodgers

Projected 2026: 112 G, 472 PA, 18 HR, 61 R, 62 RBI, 3 SB, .254/.349/.441 Smith is the calm, consistent veteran presence—solid power, strong on-base, and the type of guy you look up in July and realize he’s quietly having another excellent season.

9) Francisco Álvarez, Mets

Projected 2026: 99 G, 395 PA, 20 HR, 49 R, 55 RBI, 1 SB, .241/.320/.458 Álvarez is pure upside—20-homer power in under 400 PA is a real statement.  If he takes even a small step forward with contact/approach, he can jump into the top 5 fast.

10) Yainer Díaz, Astros

Projected 2026: 118 G, 481 PA, 19 HR, 56 R, 66 RBI, 2 SB, .273/.308/.454 Díaz is one of my favorite “if you know, you know” bats at catcher. The OBP projection is lighter, but the average + pop combo plays—especially when it’s coming from behind the plate.

Quick takeaway: What these projections tell us about catcher in 2026

• Power is now a catcher weapon (Raleigh/Álvarez/Díaz).

• OBP catchers are still gold (Contreras/Smith/Rutschman/Kirk).

• Defense can still carry you into the top tier (Bailey).