Catching Value: Fantasy Baseball Draft Steals at the Position

Let's knock off another fantasy baseball position for our draft bust/steal series by going over catchers next. We'll cover draft steals here.

Here are the other positions we've covered so far: outfielders (steals and busts), shortstops (steals and busts) and third basemen (steals and busts). Check back for more in the days/weeks to come!

More fantasy baseball average draft position data can be found on FantasySP. Draft Genius now has custom head-to-head scoring options and on demand AI expert help for every pick.

Drake Baldwin - Atlanta Braves

Baldwin is the top-drafted fantasy catcher on my draft steal list. He's the fifth catcher off draft boards, and going around pick 93 on average.

He was a top-10 fantasy catcher a season ago, and he only got in 124 games in his rookie year. Baldwin had a .274 average and .341 on-base percentage, while flashing good power and good run production.

A full season as the lead catcher for Atlanta could lead to a monster fantasy season for Baldwin. I think he easily outperforms his ADP if he stays healthy this season.

With that in mind, I do not mind drafting Baldwin earlier than his ADP. I think he could go in the 80s, or even late 70s and still be able to perform up to that level, or above it.

Adley Rutschman - Baltimore Orioles

Rutschman is seventh on the catcher list, going at pick 111.25 on average so far.

He only got in 90 games last season, and delivered career-worst numbers when actually healthy. Rutschman is a major bounceback candidate in 2026, and at this ADP, I see him as a big draft steal option.

Rutschman is still a catcher I would want a secondary option for, but if he bounces back, he could end up being your daily starter at catcher. If you draft a catcher really early, then Rutschman could be a trade piece if he really erupts again.

He's 28 years old, so there's no reason to not expect big things out of Rutschman. Hopefully he can stay healthy, and a career season could be in order.

Hunter Goodman - Colorado Rockies

Goodman is C9 and sits at pick 127 on average.

He was the No. 4 fantasy catcher last season, so I'm a bit surprised to see him going that late in drafts. Goodman has only delivered one big season in three tries, but even some regression shouldn't drop him that far.

Hitting in Colorado is always a bonus, and if Goodman stays healthy, there's no reason to not expect another big season out of him. Maybe he won't finish as C4 next year, but I bet he outplays his ADP again.

Goodman only played catcher in the field last year, while serving as the designated hitter otherwise. He's played some first base and left and right field in the past, so check to see if he's eligible there too. If he is eligible elsewhere, Goodman's fantasy outlook is even higher than I view it.

Kyle Teel - Chicago White Sox

Teel is the 10th catcher off draft lists so far, going at pick 146 on average.

He played in 78 games as a rookie in 2025, hitting .273 and getting on base at a .375 clip. Teel showed some pop and decent run production, and many are expecting more from him in 2026.

Teel played catcher mostly, but also was in left field once, while being a designated hitter several times. There's a number of catchers the White Sox have, so Teel will have to keep hitting to stick in the lineup.

I think Teel takes a step forward as a hitter this year, and emerges as more than a deep-league asset, as his ADP suggests he is right now. If he can get in the lineup regularly, Teel has daily standard league upside, which would make him a big-time draft steal.

Logan O'Hoppe - Los Angeles Angels

O'Hoppe isn't even on the ADP list - there are 16 catchers listed so far, and 278 players overall.

He's coming off a season in which he only played in 119 games. O'Hoppe only hit .213 and got on base at a .258 clip. He still popped 19 homers.

Over a full season, O'Hoppe could have 30 or so homers, even in a lackluster Angels' lineup. He's projected to hit at the bottom of the order, but good production at the plate could move him up the order.

O'Hoppe is just a deep-league fantasy asset to start the season, but I think he becomes a standard league option, which means he'll be a big-time draft steal. Keep an eye on him and if he excels early on, get him on your roster.