Who is the best catcher in baseball? A statistical and rational analysis.

This article was meant to determine who is the ultimate all around catcher. I took 5 statistical categories from the past 3 seasons including this season. The five categories are: batting average, OPS (On base plus slugging), All star selections, Fielding percentage and runners caught stealing percentage. The categories I choose not to use were Runs/RBI because that has a lot to do with the quality of lineup you are in. I also didn't include Gold Glove selections because that honor has become completely subjective and a popularity contest.

The top 8 catchers in the bigs are:

8. Bengie Molina. Molina was the only catcher on this list with 0 all star selections he also had the second worst OPS amongst this group.

7. Ivan Rodriguez. Arguably the best catcher ever Rodriguez is in the twilight of his career although he is still remarkably productive ranking second in runners caught stealing, but his bat let him down.

6. Geovany Soto. Soto only had two seasons to go on and would have ranked higher if this season wasn't such a let down from last seasons rookie of the year campaign.

5. Russel Martin. Surprisingly Martin's caught stealing percentage is only 29% and his fielding percentage was 2nd worst on this list. Martin's bat has been steady and has been elected to two all star games.

4. Jorge Posada. Posada's bat carried him to this position. He ranked second in batting average and OPS. His caught steeling percentage was dead last at an abysmal 23%.

3. Brian McCann. McCann is the only player on this list to be elected to all of the past 3 all star teams. His bat is very potent but his fielding percentage was dead last and his caught stealing percentage was 2nd worst.

2. Victor Martinez. Martinez rakes and has a great fielding percentage coming in second. He also made 2 all star teams. This year he is playing about half his time at first base and has a 13% caught stealing percentage so he is fast becoming a defensive liabilty.

1. Joe Mauer. Mauer destroyed the competition. He came in first in all statistical categories. He was first in batting average by 30 points, won OPS by 22 points and caught stealing by 10 points. Truly a man among boys.