John Buck

2013

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2012

As expected, Buck's batting average plummeted after his career year in Toronto but he still supplied some power and drew a career high in walks, though that was due far more to hitting in front of the pitcher than any new-found plate discipline. The Marlins value him for his work behind the plate, though, and any offense he gives the team is gravy. His usual 18-20 homers are nice, but expect them to accompany a batting average more likely to be below .250 than above it.

2011

Buck cashed in on a career year by inking a three-year deal worth $18 million with the Marlins. He walked just 16 times against 111 strikeouts so it'll be tough to sustain his power gains with that kind of batting eye. There's virtually no way he repeats his 2010 this season even if the Marlins are paying him to do so.

2010

Once viewed as a franchise cornerstone for the Royals, Buck's role diminished down the stretch in 2009 as the Royals led all of baseball in passed balls and wild pitches. He appeared in only six of the final 29 contests. He signed a one-year deal with the Blue Jays in the offseason and could begin the season as Toronto's starting catcher. He'll hit 10 or more home runs if given enough at-bats, but his poor contact rate makes his batting average a negative for fantasy teams.

2009

Buck's power disappeared in 2008 -- his slugging percentage dipped to a career-low .365 to go with just nine home runs -- but he still edged out platoon-mate Miguel Olivo in the at-bats battle (370 to 306). His batting average remained in the .220s for the second consecutive year despite an increased BABIP. He will enter 2009 as Olivo's backup, though he should see more at-bats than the typical backup catcher.

2008

Buck had a career-high 18 home runs last season, but just three of those came after the All-Star break. He can certainly mash it, but as long as it's a fastball coming at him, because off-speed pitches often give him fits. He also isn't a very good contact hitter, evidenced by his career .74 contact rate. The Royals added Miguel Olivo to the mix at catcher over the winter, so while the primary job will be Buck's to start with, he could see his at-bats stick in the 350-400 range again this season.

2007

Fantasy owners and front offices get excited about Buck every year, thinking his strong September finishes mean he'll become the offensive star everyone hoped he would be when the Astros included him in the Carlos Beltran deal. But after three seasons, it's starting to look like Buck is just Mr. September. He has a .226 career average and 24 homers in three years outside of September but has hit .298 with 11 homers in September. He's noted for his defense and ability to handle a pitching staff, but the Royals want more, so they brought in Jason LaRue to push him.

2006

Buck was an out machine for much of the 2005 season and rarely put on the power display expected from him after a strong September in 2004. Another strong September in 2005 increased his average from .216 on Sept. 2 and added four home runs to his total. He's the unquestioned leader behind the plate and draws plenty of praise for his catching work. He needs to make more contact to hold down that job long-term.

2005

Buck was overmatched much of the time during his first season in the big leagues, but he also showed some nice pop – slugging .562 in September. He drew praise for his handling of the staff and will learn much under the tutelage of Tony Pena. Mark Teahen may have been the top prize in the Carlos Beltran deal, but Buck looks like a long-term solution as well and will be the starting catcher in 2005.

2004

The Astros' catcher of the future. The future could arrive as early as midseason 2004, depending on how he starts off at Triple-A New Orleans. Buck's development was set back by a broken right hand last year, and the Astros are still waiting/hoping for his power to emerge. The pitcher-friendly dimensions at New Orleans could disguise his development in that department, however.

2003

Buck made a two-level jump from Low Single-A ball to Double-A in 2002. His plate discipline deteriorated a bit, but overall he still held his own. It's likely that Buck will need at least half of the 2003 season in the minors, perhaps back at Double-A, before he's ready to be promoted to the majors. Still, he may be the Astros' best prospect, and should be ready to start by the 2004 season.