Catcher Concern: Potential Busts in 2026 Fantasy Baseball

After just going over my fantasy baseball draft steals at the catcher position, let's discuss some draft bust options.

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!

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Cal Raleigh - Seattle Mariners

Raleigh is the top catcher off fantasy draft boards, going around pick 11 on average.

Raleigh is coming off a career season in 2025. He played in 159 games and popped 60 homers, while having 125 RBIs and 110 runs scored. He offset a lower average with all that pop, a good OBP and good run production.

He was the top fantasy catcher by a mile. He was the No. 6 fantasy hitter overall in ESPN leagues, and was behind three pitchers as well. That was a stellar season for Raleigh, and if he just matches his production from 2025, he will have a hard time living up to his ADP.

I believe he should be the first catcher off draft boards in 2026, but he's also a draft bust candidate if he regresses even a bit. He's one of the more fascinating fantasy assets for the upcoming season, especially because he's being picked so early.

Shea Langeliers - Athletics

Langeliers is the third catcher off draft boards on average, going around pick 80.25.

Langeliers is coming off a career season as well, where he hit .277 and got on base at a .325 clip. He owns a .234 average and .291 OBP for his career, so most are wondering if Langeliers can keep things rolling in 2026.

I don't mind his ADP, but there's also a chance he regresses and becomes a draft bust. Even if he is the third catcher off draft boards, he's a player that requires a second fantasy catcher on the roster.

Maybe Langeliers will surprise and take another step forward this season, but I think it's more likely that he regresses and becomes a draft bust.

Salvador Perez - Kansas City Royals

Perez sits around pick 110 and is the sixth catcher off draft boards.

Perez regressed in a big way in 2025, only hitting .236 and getting on base at a .284 clip - he owns a career .264 average and .301 OBP.

Perez still played in 155 games, which is a big thing. Him being eligible at first base, along with catcher, is another plus in his favor.

But there's a chance his numbers drop again in his age-35 season, and that's why I have him listed as a bust, even though his ADP is pretty reasonable. We'll see if Perez can bounce back in 2026.

Agustin Ramirez - Miami Marlins

Ramirez is the eighth catcher on draft boards, sitting around pick 120 on average.

Ramirez did some solid things in a 136-game rookie season. He had a .231 average and .287 on-base percentage though. Ramirez flashed a lot of pop, some speed and good run production to offset the average and OBP.

He finished as the No. 8 catcher a season ago, so his ADP is fair for 2026. While I think he takes a step forward as a hitter, I could still see him finishing below the No. 8 spot.

Miami doesn't have a very good lineup, which limits the catcher some. It's more the lower average and OBP that scare me off Ramirez, even at a later pick in a fantasy draft.

J.T. Realmuto - Philadelphia Phillies

Realmuto is 11th among fantasy catchers so far, going around pick 147 on average.

It's hard to call anyone a bust that goes that late, but I just don't think he's worth a pick at that spot. Realmuto was the No. 13 fantasy catcher last season, and more regression could be coming in his age-35 season.

His power dropped off big time last season, and while his average and OBP were still solid, the lack of power dried up his fantasy upside. Realmuto played in 134 games, and might need even more time off in 2026 as he ages.

Again, it's hard to be a draft bust near that ADP, but I just see several better options to try instead. Catchers on the ADP list after Realmuto that I would rather have includes Yainer Diaz and Samuel Basallo, Alejandro Kirk. I'd just rather take someone else than the aging Realmuto as a second fantasy catcher.