When a team has a backstop who can rake at the plate in addition to sitting behind it, a position of traditional weakness can very quickly become one of power. And when looking around the American League, there's certainly no shortage of power at the catching position.
Mike Napoli, who homered against the Red Sox on Monday night, is just one of many catchers in the AL showing the impact a hitting catcher can have. While not enjoying his best season statistically, Napoli knows how to make contact. He is third in the league in home runs, and his postseason heroics last year only add to his mystique. Of course, the regularity with which he dominates the Red Sox doesn't hurt his credentials, either.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Napoli's counterpart for the Rangers-Red Sox series, tops Napoli in the RBI category (45) and just edges him out in homers (19). Salty is in the midst of having a breakout year at the plate, but his current battle with inconsistency may hurt his chances at league-wide acclaim.
Meanwhile, Joe Mauer isn't playing as much catcher as he used to, but when he does, he has to be considered among the best in the business. Mauer is batting .332 with 45 RBIs for the Twins in 2012, and what he lacks in power, he makes up for in contact.
Last but not least are catchers A.J. Pierzynski and Matt Wieters. While the two have similar stat lines through the midseason point, Wieters was named to the All-Star Game while Pierzynski was not. The two are still major contributors in their respective team's lineups, however, and match up with the best backstops from elsewhere around the league.
