The catcher spot is notoriously the thinnest position in all of fantasy every year, and the vast majority of leagues require two in your starting lineup. In the game of baseball, defense is first and foremost for the backstop position and everything else that comes at the plate is just gravy. When you get a player like Ramon Hernandez, who throws out over 50% of the would-be base stealers and still provides some punch in the lineup on an everyday basis, you truly have found a diamond in the rough. Barring injury, he’s assured a spot in the lineup just about every single day.

If you look at the top-15 in the rankings below, you’ll see it’s the same usual suspects once again in 2006. Top-names stars like Bengie Molina, Paul Lo Duca, Mike Lieberthal, A.J. Pierzynski and Rod Barajas are omitted from this list for sub par seasons, particularly in the power numbers. In this edition of Inside the Numbers, we’ll take a look at how the top fantasy catchers have performed 2 1/2 months into the season.

Best Fantasy catchers
(min. 5 games at C in 2006, or 20 games in 2005)

1. Joe Mauer, MIN .380 (87-for-229), 5 HR, 31 RBI, 37 R, 6 SB

Mauer has the unique talent to call a great game at the catcher spot and challenge for a batting title. He’s lived up to the hype that comes with being the No. 1 selection in the draft, and is here to stay. He’s currently on pace for over 200 hits, while registering career-highs in home runs (11) and stolen bases (14).

2. Victor Martinez, CLE .292 (70-for-240), 10 HR, 44 RBI, 36 R

Martinez has had his troubles throwing out runners this season, but has been money in the batter’s box. He’s thrown out only 20% of the runners (49-for-58) on the season, while only Michael Barrett has allowed more runners to swipe a base. Batting-wise, he’s been hitting over .280 since the second game of the season and he’s tied for first in long balls at the position (10). From a long-term fantasy perspective, he’s right there with Mauer as the most valuable catcher in the game.

3. Ramon Hernandez, BAL .285 (71-for-249), 10 HR, 49 RBI, 27 R

Hernandez has thrown out 25 would-be base stealers this season, tops in the game by far. His acquisition has pushed Javy Lopez to the DH and 1B roles for good reason. While playing in the hitter-friendly confines of Camden Yards, he’s on pace for career-best stats of 22 home runs, 111 RBI and 47 walks, and is a must-start every week in all fantasy formats. He's currently in an 0-for-20 stretch and is showing signs of fatigue though.

4. David Ross, CIN .341 (29-for-85), 10 HR, 23 RBI

Ross has come on like gangbusters since being acquired by the Reds earlier in the season. He’s currently riding a six-game hit streak heading into Tuesday’s action and hit four home runs in a three-game stretch earlier in the week. With Jason LaRue hitting an anemic .178, Ross continues to get the brunt of the at-bats platooning with Javier Valentin.

5. Jorge Posada, NYY .297 (54-for-182), 9 HR, 37 RBI, 27 R

Over the past seven seasons, Posada has been perhaps the most consistent producer at the plate among all catchers. The past six years, he’s averaged 23 HR and 89 RBI. The switch-hitter is batting .321 vs. left-handers and .288 vs. right-handers in ’06. He’ll turn 35 years old in mid-August and his skills are starting to decline a bit, but he’s still got a couple more good years left as one of the elite at the position.

6. Michael Barrett, CHC .308 (60-for-195), 8 HR, 30 RBI, 26 R
7. Ivan Rodriguez, DET .302 (75-for-248), 5 HR, 32 RBI, 32 R, 3 SB
8. Johnny Estrada, ARI .308 (57-for-185), 5 HR, 38 RBI, 24 R
9. Brian McCann, ATL .356 (52-for-146), 5 HR, 21 RBI, 20 R
10. Josh Willingham, FLA .268 (52-for-195), 9 HR, 34 RBI, 20 R

Willingham isn’t getting much time behind the dish, but manager Joe Girardi is giving him regular playing time in the outfield. McCann has been spectacular defensively and offensively as he’s replaced Estrada in Atlanta. McCann, who is 10-for-25 since coming off the DL on June 9th, has been hitting over .300 since April 30th. His power is lacking a bit, but he’s still a must-start with that .356 season average. Barrett is quietly batting .308 on the season, but perhaps his loudest bash of the year was connected to the face of A.J. Pierzynski following a collision at the plate. The Cubs’ backstop, who is nursing a sore back, started his 10-game suspension on Monday and will miss the next week of action. Henry Blanco will get the playing time in his stead.

11. Kenji Johjima, SEA .268 (58-for-216), 5 HR, 28 RBI, 28 R
12. Jason Varitek, BOS .253 (49-for-149), 7 HR, 33 RBI, 29 R
13. Mike Piazza, SD .253 (44-for-174), 8 HR, 25 RBI
14. Greg Zaun, TOR .330 (37-for-112), 6 HR, 20 RBI
15. Javy Lopez, BAL .275 (52-for-189), 5 HR, 23 RBI, 22 R

Johjima smacked home runs in each of his first two games in the major leagues and has been one of the better hitting catchers in his brief three months. He’s mired in a deep slump currently though, knocking in just three runs in his past 21 contests. He won’t hit 20 homers at this level, but he’ll serve as a decent No. 2 catcher option. Piazza’s numbers are obviously taking a hit playing the majority of his contests in San Diego, but he’s still a lock for the Hall. He’s currently sporting a lifetime .309 average with 405 home runs, both tops all-time at the position.