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Fantasy Baseball Rankings 2012: Solid Catchers You Can Afford to Wait on

The catcher position is very deep this year, and that means you can afford to wait to grab a backstop in upcoming fantasy baseball drafts.

Granted, the position is a little weaker at top. 

No. 1 Mike Napoli exploded last year, and it's tough to justify paying for a career year. No. 2 Carlos Santana struck out 133 times and hit a pedestrian .239 in 2011.

Guys such as Buster Posey and Joe Mauer are obviously terrific, but they are injury-prone. 

At catcher, there is no certifiable No. 1, but there are eight to 10 guys who conceivably end the season at No. 1. That's what makes it deep, and that's why you don't need to jump on a catcher.

Here's a look at catchers you could score big if you don't want to grab one too early in your draft.

 

Jesus Montero, Seattle Mariners

Montero is currently only DH-eligible, at least in ESPN leagues, and he has to leave the New York's "hitter's dream" to play in Seattle's "hitter's nightmare."

That alone will probably scare most people in your draft away, but Montero is talented enough to hit anywhere.

He certainly impressed during his short stint last year with the Yankees, and that helped ease the nerves some people had after he struggled a bit in Triple-A.

Seattle's lineup is slowing improving, and Montero will be able to hit in the middle of Dustin Ackley, Ichiro and Justin Smoak. 

There's potential for a very good year here.

 

Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

Injury concerns have Posey ranked just No. 7 among catchers by ESPN, but it's for me to really label him "injury prone."

Posey suffered a freak broken ankle during an ugly play at home plate. It's not like he's out there straining muscles and pulling hamstrings every day. 

He's still recovering from the injury and isn't yet at 100 percent, but Posey is playing in Spring Training and looking good.

Posey got off to a good start last season, and it wouldn't surprise me if the former Rookie of the Year finished the season in the Top 3.

 

Wilson Ramos, Washington Nationals

Ramos is just 24 years old and has just 517 major league plate appearances under his belt, but he really showed signs of a breakout last year.

In September and October, the young catcher hit .358 and slugged .582 on his way to three homers, six doubles and 12 RBI. 

If that was a sign of things to come, Ramos is in for a huge year.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

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