The All-Star break is here, and the catcher position has been packed with breakout seasons, bounce-backs, and a few names forcing their way into the conversation. At the midpoint of the 2026 MLB season, these are the 10 catchers standing out above the rest.
Hunter Goodman sits at No. 1 after a huge first half for Colorado. He leads all MLB catchers in home runs, and if he keeps rolling after the break, he has a real shot to finish with the most homers at the position.
Right behind him is Dillon Dingler, who has put together a powerful season for Detroit. He’s been driving the ball all year and leads all MLB catchers in RBI.
Shea Langeliers has taken another step forward for the Athletics. He’s become one of the better-hitting catchers in the league and keeps producing in the middle of the A’s lineup. In a few more seasons, his power will be on display in Las Vegas.
Liam Hicks has been one of the quieter success stories of the season. He’s helping Miami stay in the playoff mix and is tied for sixth among MLB catchers in home runs.
William Contreras has been a major reason Milwaukee is sitting atop the NL Central. He leads all MLB catchers in hits at the All-Star break and is putting together one of the strongest seasons of his career.
Drake Baldwin has emerged as a real force for Atlanta. In just two seasons, he’s already become one of the game’s best catchers, and he ranks fifth among MLB catchers in home runs.
Samuel Basallo keeps delivering for Baltimore as a rookie. He’s currently fourth in home runs among MLB catchers and is firmly in the mix for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
Carter Jensen has given Kansas City a strong young option behind the plate. His power has made the move away from Sal Perez at catcher easier, and it has also allowed the Royals to get Perez more at-bats at DH.
Adley Rutschman is showing signs of a true turnaround season in Baltimore. He has cut down his strikeouts and is hitting the ball with more authority, which is exactly the kind of development the Orioles needed.
Ryan Jeffers rounds out the list after missing a few months but returning to action. Before the injury, he was leading MLB catchers in OPS, and a strong second half could still put him in line for career highs across the board.
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What has changed is Bakers trajectory since landing in Tampa Bay, where he has turned into the kind of reliever Baltimore could use right now. The Orioles can point to the pick they got back, but the trade has become a reminder that bullpen evaluations are fragile, and that a move that seems minor in July can look much larger once a pitcher settles in and starts missing bats for someone else. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles May Have Finally Found The Pitching Gem Elias Rarely Drafts
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What makes Piech worth watching from here is the combination of stuff, feel and reputation. Evaluators have liked the way his control has sharpened, and his high school coach Joe Bowers has been just as bullish about the work ethic and long-term upside. For an Orioles organization that has often been more aggressive with bats than arms, the question now is how quickly Piech can translate that college success into the minor league system and whether the early promise holds up against better professional hitters. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles First Round Pick Hit With Another Frustrating Setback
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Honeycutt, ranked No. 28 in Baltimores system by MLB Pipeline, had shown enough raw power to hint at why the Orioles were intrigued, but the bigger question now is simply getting him on the field long enough to build rhythm. For a player whose development depends on reps, the combination of strikeouts, slumps and repeated injuries has made every setback feel a little more costly. [Read more 🡒]