MLBN Ranks B-Mac #7 on Catcher List

by FloydMcScroops on Feb 29, 2026 5:55 PM EST

We're all itching for something to get excited about about other than a sore Freeman patella or a chubbier Chipper. So let's talk about this catcher list. The MLB Network ranks Brian McCann seventh on the top ten list. Here is said list in question.

Mike Napoli (Texas Rangers)
Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins)
Miguel Montero (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Buster Posey (San Francisco Giants)
Alex Avila (Detroit Tigers)
Carlos Santana (Cleveland Indians)
Brian McCann (Atlanta Braves)
Yadier Molina (St. Louis Cardinals)
Matt Wieters (Baltimore Orioles)
Carlos Ruiz (Philadelphia Phillies)

Posey played less than 50 games last year, Napoli could be considered for the DH list, and Santana smacked a few more HR's in his second year. McCann's been putting up comparable numbers for years, but he's just so-so in the eyes of the analysts. Pretty poor list I'd say.
God, this season can't get here soon enough, I'm getting worked up over a catcher rating list.

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Read More: Brian McCann (C - ATL), San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves

Comments

Can't see how McCann is so low

Posey, Avila, and Santana have only about 1-1.5 years of service each. Give me a proven veteran before them.

Atlanta sports have singlehandedly crushed my soul.

by Beachy Keen on Feb 29, 2026 6:14 PM EST reply actions

Posey is the only one I'd take before Mac

The other guys are either: A) coming off fluke power seasons (Avila), B) Rookies (Santana and Montero), or C) have serious injury histories (Mauer).

Posey’s injury was a fluke thing and I don’t think he’ll have lingering issues like Mauer. Napoli has good numbers, but I don’t think he’s great behind the dish.

by a5ehren on Feb 29, 2026 7:16 PM EST reply actions

Exactly

The title of this list is Best Catcher Right Now. How can you tell me that a rookie with slightly better offensive production numbers is going to guarantee that again? All while McCann has been putting together top 3 numbers for at least 4-5 seasons.

by FloydMcScroops on Feb 29, 2026 10:57 PM EST up reply actions

agree but

Montero is/was not a rookie

by Alex H on Mar 1, 2026 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

this isn't french but excuse it anyway...

BULLSHIT!

If the 2012 Opening Day starting lineup has a Diaz instead of a Heyward, I will be buying a new TV.

by ryan c on Feb 29, 2026 7:38 PM EST reply actions

Yeah I also beg to differ

the person that came up with that ranking probably (and this is wild speculation) also thinks that Chipper just isn’t a first ballot HOFer.

All while Fredi is surrounded by a bunch of orangutans, trying to teach them how to bunt the rocks and coconuts that angry 300 lb gorillas are throwing at them,

by royhobbs on Jul 29, 2025 11:20 AM PDT

Strong Side / Weak Side: Chipper Jones

http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/chipper-jones,8431/

by Santaklose11 on Feb 29, 2026 7:54 PM EST reply actions

This one was hilarious. He’s either No. 1 or No. 2 depending on how you currently value Mauer. I saw this yesterday and was appalled. At least Sheehan ranked him 1. I love Napoli, but it’s tough to call him a catcher when he plays so few games at the position.

Follow @Ben_Duronio

by BenDuronio on Feb 29, 2026 8:02 PM EST reply actions

Exactly

I can’t call a guy who started under 60 (forgive if that’s not the correct number) games, starter at that position.

by FloydMcScroops on Feb 29, 2026 11:01 PM EST up reply actions

I'll give them Napoli, I'll give them Mauer

But none of those others have shown anything to prove they belong in McCann’s company, let alone ahead of him. And I really like Montero, he shouldn’t be underrated, but he also shouldn’t be considered a better catcher than Mac.

This is pretty terrible. Posey, Avlia, Santana? Make guys play for more than one whole season and prove they can hit consistently before you elevate them. Even in their limited playing time, none of them are demonstrably better than McCann as hitters, and two of those are most likely worse defensive catchers. So I don’t exactly what basis they’re using for this determination.

Braves will be fine. I'm not worried.

by Bronn on Sep 18, 2025 4:26 PM EDT

by Bronn on Feb 29, 2026 8:17 PM EST reply actions

The basis of “four of those teams are more popular than the Braves, one other team made the playoffs last season, and we feel sorry for Cleveland fans?”

by Ivan the Great on Feb 29, 2026 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

Gonna be honest, I'm a huge believer in Carlos Santana

But he got 65 starts at 1B last year and looks to split time again.

by Undocorkscrew on Feb 29, 2026 8:48 PM EST reply actions

Im fine with anything he plays

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.
by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2025 7:25 PM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jun 28, 2025 9:50 PM EDT reply actions
by ChopMaster on Jul 3, 2025 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

by oVecKid on Feb 29, 2026 8:56 PM EST up reply actions

agree

he is a monster. he and Posey are the only two I will give you

by Rodrda01 on Mar 1, 2026 8:10 AM EST up reply actions

"The Shredder"

is the cpu program that somehow placed McCann 7th on that show. Joe Sheehan, the expert, had him 1st. And the other guy, I forgot who it was (former player), had him 2nd.

by paulyicecubes on Feb 29, 2026 9:22 PM EST reply actions

Skynet just went online.

Q: If not us, who? If not now, when? A: The Batman. And "when you least expect it."

by Lennox on Feb 29, 2026 9:34 PM EST up reply actions

It’s trying to kill John Connor

by Ivan the Great on Feb 29, 2026 10:57 PM EST up reply actions

Who in God’s name wrote the coding for this program. I can’t even figure out what qualities it’s over valuing to place this list.

by FloydMcScroops on Feb 29, 2026 11:03 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, their system is really flawed. I don’t dislike Sheehan, but sometimes I disagree with him. He makes some valid points and some invalid ones, just as most of us do.

The big issue with the shredder is that if it isn’t coming to results that make sense, it isn’t a good program. The reasons stats like UZR and DRS are somewhat credible, is that the highest ranked are often the perceived best. While neither method of judging defense is perfect, just like the shredder isn’t, at least the top results make sense. Anything that has Brian McCann as the seventh best catcher in baseball is simply not an accurate system, and should not be put on a station like MLB Network.

Follow @Ben_Duronio

by BenDuronio on Mar 1, 2026 12:48 AM EST up reply actions

My guess, without actually looking at any stats, is that it put a lot of weight on throwing out base runners.

Q: If not us, who? If not now, when? A: The Batman. And "when you least expect it."

by Lennox on Mar 1, 2026 8:55 AM EST up reply actions

"Shredder"? More like Troll-er.

by goesbetterwithbeer on Feb 29, 2026 10:55 PM EST via Android app reply actions

This is the stupidest thing I've ever seen.

Somebody’s trolling.

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti

Follow @DawnBake

by sddbaker on Mar 1, 2026 1:09 AM EST reply actions

I have no words.

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.

by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2025 7:25 PM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Mar 1, 2026 2:23 AM EST reply actions

These lists are stupid,

They didn’t even have Andre Ethier or Heyward as one of the Top 10 RF Right Now.

Lead off walks usually lead to runs, unless they don't. -Joe Simpson

If you don't like the way the Atlanta Braves are playing, then you don't like baseball. -Chuck Tanner

by Chapel420 on Mar 1, 2026 9:36 AM EST reply actions

Eh, Ethier kind of stinks. And Heyward is actually a good example of why putting guys with one big season ahead of a guy like McCann is silly. Yes, he may be more talented, but the numbers need to be there before he’s put that high.

Follow @Ben_Duronio

by BenDuronio on Mar 1, 2026 9:54 AM EST up reply actions

Andre Ethier isn't a top ten right fielder

Boom!

Braves will be fine. I'm not worried.

by Bronn on Sep 18, 2025 4:26 PM EDT

by Bronn on Mar 1, 2026 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

goes the dynamite...

"If it's F'd up then it's F'd up" --- Gregg Marshall

by jwrocks on Mar 1, 2026 11:18 AM EST up reply actions

That’s probably because neither one are right now…

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.

by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2025 7:25 PM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Mar 1, 2026 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t really know anything about Either other than he had a good season last year and I totally understand why Heyward isn’t on the Top 10 (even though he was #7 on their list last year). I just used the same example they did on the show about why the Shedder is stupid and why the experts have their own lists.

Lead off walks usually lead to runs, unless they don't. -Joe Simpson

If you don't like the way the Atlanta Braves are playing, then you don't like baseball. -Chuck Tanner

by Chapel420 on Mar 1, 2026 10:23 AM EST reply actions

Reply fail

Lead off walks usually lead to runs, unless they don't. -Joe Simpson

If you don't like the way the Atlanta Braves are playing, then you don't like baseball. -Chuck Tanner

by Chapel420 on Mar 1, 2026 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

Anyone see this list?

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/broadcaster-rankings-tv-10-1/

Fangraphs rated the best commentary team(s) in the game on the basis of charisma and analysis. It is a top 31 list because the Dodgers were broken into home/away with Vin Skully at #1 and the away team 30th. CHW were last on the list. Chip and Joe came in at 27. Here is what they had to say:
27. Atlanta Braves
Broadcasters: Chip Caray and Joe Simpson
Ratings (Charisma/Analysis/Overall): 2.8, 2.6, 2.7

Three Reader Comments
• "Chip Caray… has gone out of his way to bash sabermetrics, mainly the use of OBP, many times before, both on air and on his Twitter account."
• "Pales in comparison to the halcyon days of Joe and Boog Sciambi, who had a sort of odd couple charm and respect for one another."
• "Let me be the 108th respondent to say it… fisted."

Notes
The general sense from readers seems to be that Joe Simpson understands the game pretty well, and that his extended run with the team allows him to give historical context to certain events, players, etc. Caray has some supporters, although it seems difficult not to compare him (and unfairly so) with his father and grandfather.

Living where I do, I get the Mets SNY network and will be the first to admit that is my network of choice when we’re playing the Mets. I love the team of Gary Cohen, Ron Darling, and Keith Hernandez. Fangraphs does as well apparently as they ranked 2nd in the league.

Spring Training is the greatest thing that can't end soon enough

by JKowalek on Mar 1, 2026 12:38 PM EST reply actions

Ah, Joe and Boog. Makes me hate Chip even more than he probably deserves.

"But if you just talk, I've found your mouth comes out with stuff." -Karl Pilkington

by GumpBrave on Mar 2, 2026 3:33 AM EST up reply actions

Chip has a good voice for broadcasting but his content is just plain terrible, not to even mention the fairly frequent amount of miscalls (just wait until you’ve figured out what has transpired, Chip, before opening your mouth). Joe is quite solid but not enough to drag that duo due to Chip’s enormous suckiness.

by LEastCoastBears on Mar 3, 2026 1:29 AM EST up reply actions

Mauer? Mauer??

The guy with 69 HR compared to McCann’s 131 in the past 6 seasons?

The guy with single digit homeruns in 2010 and made twice as much as McCann that year?

Is he good? Yes, of course. But he is overpaid, overrated and certain numbers are inconclusive. I also like Posey, but he had one outstanding season. Let’s see what else he does.

Braves.
Falcons.
Gamecocks.

by walknbalk on Mar 1, 2026 1:07 PM EST reply actions

There's more to being a quality hitter than home runs.

For example, in 2010, Joe Mauer hit 9 home runs to McCann’s 21. But I’d take Mauer’s batting line over McCann’s every day of the week.

Mauer 2010: 327/.402/.469
McCann 2010: .269/.375/.453

One line is objectively more valuable than the other, and that’s not overrating him.

But the injury concerns he has right now, and the fact that he’s playing fewer and fewer of his games at catcher, those are good reasons why McCann could be considered better. Still, I’d allow them to place Mauer above McCann, if they really felt that. Putting 6 other guys ahead of him also, that makes it not seem very legitimate.

A thing to note about Posey. Last year before he got hurt, he wasn’t hitting nearly as well as McCann. In fact, he was well, well behind McCann’s career wOBA. Maybe he was just having a sophomore slump, maybe he he was just scuffling, maybe he was a little hurt…or maybe, maybe he’s not QUITE as good as his outstanding rookie year. The uncertainty factor should definitely keep you from putting him ahead of McCann, especially now that he’s coming back from a significant injury.

Braves will be fine. I'm not worried.

by Bronn on Sep 18, 2025 4:26 PM EDT

by Bronn on Mar 1, 2026 2:07 PM EST up reply actions