BetNow’s Top 10 Catchers for the 2026 MLB Season

Spring training is officially underway, and that means baseball is back — along with fresh expectations for the stars set to define the 2026 season.

As part of BetNow’s full MLB preview series, we’re taking a position-by-position look at the top talent across the league. Today, we start behind the plate with the most complete catchers entering 2026.

This list is focused on one thing: who are the best catchers right now for the upcoming season, not long-term projections or career accomplishments.

Let’s dive into the top 10.

1. Cal Raleigh — Seattle Mariners

Cal Raleigh is coming off one of the greatest offensive seasons ever seen from a catcher.

After playing nearly every day in 2025, Raleigh delivered elite production at the plate while still anchoring Seattle’s defense. The Mariners have discussed managing his workload, but Raleigh has made it clear — he wants to play.

With his combination of power, leadership, and durability, he enters 2026 as the clear No. 1 at the position.

2. Alejandro Kirk — Toronto Blue Jays

Alejandro Kirk remains one of the toughest outs in baseball.

His elite bat-to-ball skills and extremely low strikeout rate make him a nightmare matchup, especially in big moments. Add in strong framing behind the plate, and Kirk continues to be one of the most well-rounded catchers in the league.

3. Will Smith — Los Angeles Dodgers

Will Smith is the definition of steady excellence.

A consistent postseason performer and a key power bat in one of baseball’s deepest lineups, Smith continues to produce at an All-Star level. His defense has improved over the years, but his offensive value keeps him firmly among the elite.

4. Patrick Bailey — San Francisco Giants

Patrick Bailey might be the best defensive catcher in the sport.

Even with inconsistent offense, evaluators rank him this high because of his dominance in pitch framing, game-calling, and controlling the strike zone. His glove alone changes games.

5. William Contreras — Milwaukee Brewers

Contreras remains a core piece of Milwaukee’s success.

While his power dipped slightly last season, his on-base skills, consistency, and ability to drive runs keep him in the top tier heading into 2026.

6. Dillon Dingler — Detroit Tigers

Dillon Dingler is one of the breakout names at catcher.

With an elite throwing arm and athleticism behind the plate, he quickly earned the trust of Detroit’s staff. Many believe he’s still underrated — but 2026 could be the year he becomes a household name.

7. Shea Langeliers — Athletics

Langeliers brings serious pop.

After launching over 30 home runs last season, he proved he can be one of the most dangerous power threats at catcher. While his defense isn’t at the very top of the list, the offensive upside is undeniable.

8. Austin Wells — New York Yankees

Austin Wells had an up-and-down offensive year, but the talent is obvious.

His framing numbers remain strong, and the Yankees believe his bat will bounce back in 2026. If that happens, he could rise quickly up these rankings.

9. Drake Baldwin — Atlanta Braves

The reigning National League Rookie of the Year makes the list after an impressive debut.

Baldwin showed power, consistency, and the rare ability to hit both lefties and righties equally well — a major advantage for Atlanta moving forward.

10. Gabriel Moreno — Arizona Diamondbacks

When healthy, Moreno is one of the most complete catchers in baseball.

Injuries have limited his recent seasons, but his defense and all-around ability still make him a top-10 option entering 2026.

Honorable Mentions to Watch

Several other catchers could push into the top tier this year, including:

• Hunter Goodman — big-time power potential

• Carlos Narváez — praised for handling pitching staffs

• Adley Rutschman — looking for a bounce-back season

• Francisco Álvarez — entering a pivotal year

• Salvador Pérez — still producing, even late in his career
  

Final Word

The catcher position is deeper than ever in 2026, with elite defenders, power bats, and rising young stars all competing for the spotlight.

Whether it’s Raleigh’s historic dominance, Kirk’s consistency, or Bailey’s defensive brilliance, the backstop position will be one of the most important storylines to follow this season.

Stay tuned with BetNow as we continue our Top 10 rankings at every MLB position.