2025 Fantasy Baseball: Breakout, Sleeper, and Deep Sleeper Catchers

When building fantasy rosters, drafters have a wide view of the catching position. League size and format dictate the strength of the inventory. The goal each year is to find value at the catcher, along with potential breakout and sleeper candidates. Here are my top options for 2025:

Deep Sleeper: Endy Rodriguez, Pittsburgh Pirates

In most redraft formats, Rodriguez will be found in the free-agent pool after missing 2204 with TJ surgery. The Pirates have a log jam at the catcher position, suggesting their future stud will see time at first base in 2025. He brings a switch-hitting bat with the ceiling of a middle-of-the-order opportunity in Pittsburgh's lineup.

Deep Sleeper: Luis Campusano, San Diego Padres

In the early draft season, the fantasy market has gravitated toward Elias Diaz as the Padres' top-catching option. His power emerged in Colorado, but at age 34, San Diego's bridge catcher is Campusano. He has sneaky upside in power with success last year with runners on base. I view him as a player to watch until his playing time supports a C2 role in deep formats.

Sleeper: Bo Naylor, Cleveland Guardians

Naylor will have batting average risk early in his career, but he should take many walks while offering an intriguing blend of speed and power from the catcher position. If given enough at-bats, Naylor should outperform his ADP by a wide margin in 2025.

2025 Bo Naylor Fantasy Outlook

Sleeper: Ivan Herrera, St. Louis Cardinals

Ian Herrera — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

When given starting at-bats last season, Herrera didn't offer any winning counting stats. He did showcase a high floor in batting average, and his minor league resume suggests 15+ home runs and double-digit stolen bases. I like his approach, and his overall package should improve with more major-league experience. I prefer him as a C2 than a C1 in 12 and 15-team formats. Don't sleep on his ceiling.

2025 Ivan Herrera Fantasy Outlook

Breakout Player: Austin Wells, New York Yankees

Over a few months of baseball player research, I have a mindless flow of potential thoughts on many players of interest. Sometimes, there is love for a player, but a tidbit of news quickly puts that player in a different draft category. When researching Austin Wells, I view him as offering upside in 2025 for his ADP. I moved him into the breakout catcher category in Match. His bat progressed over the second half of last season, and I like his home ballpark and potential in stolen bases for the catcher position.

2025 Austin Wells Fantasy Outlook

Breakout Player: Francisco Alvarez, New York Mets

Alvarez underachieved expectations in his sophomore campaign with the Mets due to some missed time with injuries. He has a 25-home run season on his major league resume over 382 at-bats. He took walks in the minors, and his approach should naturally improve in the major with more experience. I expect him to outperform Shea Langeliers and Cal Raleigh in 2025. The Mets' cleanup role is well within reach if Alvarez shines at the plate with power.

2025 Francisco Alvarez Fantasy Outlook