Mike Napoli has established several career-highs this season.

BY ROB SHAW
sportsnet.ca

One of the last positions drafted in fantasy baseball is usually the catcher. It's not that their statistics don't count; it's more an issue of offensive production coming from the defensive-minded position.

Sure, there are the masked marvels who are the exception to the rule such as Yogi Berra, Johnny Bench, Mike Piazza, Jorge Posada and Joe Mauer. However, for the most part, we are dealing with players who offer a .260 average with, at best, double-digit power.

This year, however, a few catchers stood above the rest. Here's a look at some of the bigger surprises from the backstop this season.

Mike Napoli, Angels

He was a late pick in most fantasy leagues, but there is no better slugger from the backstop than Mike Napoli. The Angels’ 28-year-old veteran has now blasted at least 20 home runs in three straight seasons. Napoli has established several career-highs this season including 23 doubles, 22 home runs and 62 RBI. He still strikes out a bunch and his .248 average isn't very special either, but when it comes to putting the ball over the fence, no catcher has gone deep as many times as Napoli this season.

Buster Posey, Giants

When the Giants re-signed Bengie Molina, most fantasy managers assumed that Posey would spend most of the season in the minor leagues. Instead, just a few months into the season the Giants were desperate for offence and promoted Posey to the majors, at first to man first base. When it became clear that Posey was outperforming Molina, they dealt their veteran catcher to Texas. The end result was moving Posey behind the plate and veteran slugger Aubrey Huff to first base. The moves have been a major upgrade in offence for the club as Huff is enjoying a bounce-back season and Posey is earning some Rookie of the Year consideration with 11 home runs, 55 RBI and a .328 average. Posey is certain to be drafted amongst the top three catchers in fantasy leagues next season.

Geovany Soto, Cubs

A horrible sophomore slump had Soto finish last season with just 11 home runs, 47 RBI and an awful .218 average. The 27-year-old has bounced back in a big way with 17 home runs, 51 RBI and a .284 average this season. Soto has also been much more patient at the plate this season, as his 58 walks have him boasting a career-best .399 on-base percentage. One of the few bright spots for the Cubs this season, Soto is a player on the Cubs worth keeping when the franchise embraces a rebuilding effort this winter.

John Buck, Blue Jays

It was never a secret that catcher John Buck had power. The former Royals backstop began his career with four straight seasons of 10-plus home runs. Even though he reached a career-high with 18 home runs in 2007, Buck had some foibles, including an average that never touched .250 and too many whiffs. To make matters worse, in 2008, Buck's power regressed to just nine home runs in 370 at-bats. In 2009, Buck was relegated to backup duties, and even though he had a career-best .484 slugging percentage, he only had 186 at-bats and left Kansas City the ensuing off-season. Buck then signed with Toronto and the change of scenery has suited him well. Buck has already blasted 17 home runs and his .275 average is more than 30 points better than his career mark. Just 30-years old, Buck could be a long-term answer for the Blue Jays and his fantasy value is at its pinnacle.

John Jaso, Rays

An unexpected leadoff man for the Tampa Bay Rays, John Jaso is doing what Ben Zobrist and BJ Upton could not -- reach base. The 26-year-old rookie is reaching base at an incredible .390 on-base percentage. Though he doesn't have much power with just five home runs and 15 doubles, he does offer plenty of run production with 46 runs scored and 43 RBI in 92 games. Far from anyone's radar when the season opened, Jaso is a surprise contender for the American League Rookie of the Year award.

Ryan Hanigan, Reds

Though he's been limited to backup duties, Ryan Hanigan has enjoyed his best season in the Big Leagues with five home runs, eight doubles and 36 RBI to complement a .284 average. The 30-year-old Hanigan is a career .294 in the minor leagues and, more impressively, owns a .384 on-base percentage. Nonetheless, his lack of power and speed limit his value and explains why the veteran Ramon Hernandez continues to start. While Hernandez is batting .300 this season, Hanigan's youth and improvement may force the Reds to ponder giving him a promotion next season.

Josh Thole, Mets

The Mets have had some great catchers over the years from Gary Carter to Todd Hundley to most recently Mike Piazza. There may be another passing of the torch now with Josh Thole owning a .299 career average through 187 career at-bats. The 23-year-old masked marvel lacks power, but he reaches base often and has improved a great deal over the last 12 months on defence. It will be interesting to see what Thole develops into. If he can hit the weight room during the off-season and offer just a little more punch, he'll be a player the Mets might consider as a starter for the long haul.