top 10 catchers in mlb in 2025
The chasm between the best and worst defensive catchers makes catcher a particularly difficult position to rank. An elite defender can compensate for being subpar at the plate, but how does that compare with a player who is mediocre in both disciplines? In this article, we will look at the top 10 best catchers in 2025 to see how they rank.
There are bat-first catchers, who warrant a place in the lineup even if they’re not in the squat. Then there’s the different elements of catcher defense in blocking, throwing, and framing. Some are great at one area; others are above average in all three facets.
Some big-name players have missed out on this top 10 due to declining defense or age catching up with them on both sides of the ball.
1. Adley Rutschman
Adley Rutschman and Cal Raleigh are tied for the most projected fWAR, according to ZiPS. Rutschman gets the edge here due to his longer-term upside, more-rounded approach at the plate, and superior blocking.
A former first overall pick, Rutschman has the potential to be an MVP candidate in the future. It would be good to see a bit more hard contact and a higher barrel rate, but the low strikeout rate and high walk rate give a very solid offensive foundation.
2. Cal Raleigh
The Seattle Mariners were well-justified in handing Cal Raleigh a mega contract extension before opening day. Raleigh hit 91 home runs across the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons, posting a 118 OPS+ and winning a Gold Glove.
The strikeout rate and blocking are subpar, but you can live with that when Raleigh is posting elite numbers for his hard contact, launch angles, and walk rate. This is a legitimate franchise building block who gets on base enough to be an elite catcher for the next half-decade.
3. William Contreras
Coming off a mediocre defensive season with a 130 OPS+, it’s hard to know what to make of William Contreras. He’s a legitimately elite hitter, owning a 129 OPS+ over the last three seasons, but could he begin to transition to the role of DH on a Milwaukee Brewers team desperate for offense?
The offensive blueprint is different to Raleigh. Contreras has a bit less power, while striking out less, and hitting for a higher average. The walks are still there, though, and ZiPS projects he’s the best hitting catcher in 2025.
4. Will Smith
The top three are in a league of their own. Will Smith has the track record of production and health to be an obvious selection for fourth place.
Smith has a 125 OPS+ for his career and has never dropped below 116 in a single season. He’s as consistent as it gets at the plate, but there have been some significant fluctuations in his production on the defensive side of the ball.
The 2024 season, for instance, saw Smith rank among the worst catchers in the majors in blocking and framing.
5. Gabriel Moreno
There aren’t many holes in Gabriel Moreno’s game. He’s not got a huge amount of offensive upside, but he’s reliably been a league-average hitter who walks a lot and doesn’t strikeout much.
Over the last couple of years, he’s been one of the best defenders in the sport. Boasting a cannon of an arm with low pop times, Moreno also ranks well as a framer and blocker. He’s a very valuable player without being a star.
6. Sean Murphy
Injuries have knocked Sean Murphy down this list. He played 180 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons and is already missing time at the beginning of the 2025 campaign.
After a down year at the plate in 2024, Murphy should get back on track in 2025. He had a 124 OPS+ over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, hitting for solid power, walking a reasonable amount, and posting a .250 batting average.
When healthy, Murphy is the complete package as a defender. The combination of good offense and elite defense means he retains a top six spot despite his availability issues.
7. Alejandro Kirk
A subpar defender earlier in his career, Alejandro Kirk has made major improvements in all facets of his game behind the plate. At the dish, Kirk is yet to regain his 2022 production, but projection systems remain optimistic he can be an above-average hitter in 2025.
Great plate discipline and decent exit velocities give something to build on offensively. Kirk could easily be a five-win player if he puts it all together.
8. Shea Langeliers
Shea Langeliers is yet to combine all his skills in one season. He’s increased his walk rate and decreased his strikeout rate each season and can catch base stealers with rapid throws to second base.
The framing and blocking are well below what the Athletics would be hoping for, so his future might lie elsewhere if the front office wants a more reliable defender. The bat looks to be trending in the right direction, though, which makes him a valuable player in 2025 and beyond.
9. Patrick Bailey
Patrick Bailey is looking like he will be a purely glove-first catcher. Fortunately, Bailey is an exceptional defender and just won the first Gold Glove of his career. His framing is arguably the best in the majors, plus his reputation for throwing out baserunners has seen opponents adopt a much more cautious approach.
Despite some good signs with how hard he was hitting the ball in 2024, Bailey’s underlying numbers aren’t especially impressive. He would, however, climb these rankings if he can become a league average hitter.
10. Yainer Diaz
With a 114 wRC+ since the start of the 2022 season, Yainer Diaz has quietly become one of the American League’s better catchers. Diaz is a solid enough defender with a good arm.
At the plate, he’s all about getting bat to ball. Walks are infrequent, but Diaz has a high expected batting average and makes enough hard contact to hit 15+ homers per season.
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