Making the Grade: Ranking Catchers in the AL Central

Jul 6, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians catcher Yan Gomes (right) celebrates his two-run home run with right fielder Ryan Raburn (9) in the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The American League Central fields some of the best players in all of baseball and projects to be one of the most competitive divisions in the league this season.

While so much has been made of the elite pitchers that inhabit the division, the AL Central showcases a number of great position players as well – including the other half of the battery, the catchers.

All three 2014 AL Gold Glove award finalist backstops inhabit the division, and the division fields three catchers with at least one All-Star appearance under his belt – Alex Avila, Salvador Perez and Kurt Suzuki. Additionally, the division fields one catcher who is a former top-100 prospect (Tyler Flowers) and another who is a budding star (Yan Gomes).

This piece highlights the elite cast of catchers in the division and ranks them, from 1-5 in reverse order from most productive to least productive.

Next: No. 5