Ryan Doumit

Doumit played in a career-high number of games in 2013. While his offense appeared to decline, he basically had the same season as 2012 except for about 15 fewer base hits, which may largely be explained by a slight decline in BABIP. He does not have great plate discipline, but he makes good contact and has always hit for power when healthy. Doumit's defense behind the plate is below average, but his bat is strong enough to justify the drop-off. However, it's not clear how much catcher he'll play in 2014. Doumit didn't play catcher after he went on the DL for a concussion in early August, and he says he's had several concussions in his career. He was traded to Atlanta in the offseason and he'll give the Braves defensive versatility and insurance at catcher behind Evan Gattis. He'll still qualify at catcher for fantasy purposes in 2014, and he'll offer some pop from the position, but his batting average could be a risk.

Doumit played the most games of his career last season as he finally had a season where he was healthy and the result was career highs in home runs and RBI. He was a perfect fit in Minnesota where he could split playing time at catcher with Joe Mauer to reduce both players' wear behind the plate, while also getting time (22 games) in the outfield. Doumit's defense behind the plate is below average, but his bat is strong enough to justify the dropoff. He does not have great plate discipline, but he makes good contact and has always hit for power when healthy. Doumit will return as Minnesota's primary DH and also get time behind the plate. He will always be an injury risk considering the significant amount of time he has missed in his career to a variety of ailments, but his reduced workload behind the plate bodes well for 2013.

Doumit's bat earned him a one-year, $3 million deal with the Twins. He put up some of the best numbers of his career in Pittsburgh last season, compiling a .303/.353/.477 slash line in 218 at-bats. Of course, the low number of plate appearances shows that the injury bug bit Doumit again (this time in the form of a broken ankle). The most worrisome medical issue Doumit faces is the recurring bout of concussions he faces every season. If the Twins can keep him out from behind the plate then there's a chance he stays healthy for longer periods of time and puts up respectable fantasy numbers. He qualifies at a position with little depth (catcher) and even though the new stadium hasn't been kind to hitters, Doumit should fit in well in the American League. Just don't invest too heavily in the oft-injured backstop.

Concussions ruined much of Doumit's usefulness in 2010 and it remains to be seen whether he can recover from multiple bouts of head injuries. Once considered a promising hitter with average defensive abilities, the switch-hitting catcher and sometimes outfielder has become a liability in the field. A move to the American League might help him regain his focus on offense, but he doesn't hit for enough power or average to be considered a top designated hitter candidate. Even missing time with a concussion, Doumit played the most games of his major league career (127). Still, his numbers weren't very good -- he hit .251/.331/.406 with 13 homers and 45 RBI in 406 at-bats. His fantasy value lies with his eligibility to serve as a catcher, but his lack of progress and the fact that his career might have peaked at age 29, makes Doumit a possible late-round fantasy pick and nothing more.

Doumit signed a three-year, $11.5 million contract extension in December 2008, punching his ticket out of Pittsburgh sometime in the next couple years. It's safe to say the Pirates expected more out of their top backstop in 2009, but injuries, slumps and the trading of numerous veterans combined to sour Doumit's season. Doumit broke a bone in his wrist in April and didn't return until July. When he returned, the long-tenured (for the Pirates) catcher hit .207 (31-for-150) until picking things up with a strong September and October finish, batting .329 down the stretch. Still, there seems to be an underlying current of discontent with Doumit. Shortly after vets Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez were dealt, Doumit was benched mid-game for a lack of hustle by manager John Russell, who has always handled Doumit with kid gloves. A 2010 rebound would not only help to show that the Bucs didn't err in signing him to a long-term deal, but it would also improve his trade value (as it did for Jason Bay) and help to send Doumit to a new organization that isn't rebuilding for the umpteenth time in 17 straight losing seasons.

Manager John Russell, a former major-league catcher, moved Doumit back to his natural position of catcher last year and the results were truly impressive. Doumit set personal highs with a .318 batting average, 15 homers and 69 RBI. He played in only 116 games, but that number was good for the second highest mark of his 10-year professional career. The switch-hitting backstop saw numerous improvements, the greatest of which might have been his ability to hit left-handed pitching. Doumit batted .330 against lefties (in 103 at-bats), an increase over the .246 and .208 averages the two previous seasons. A good sign for 2009 is the fact that he hit .294 with 30 RBI in 47 games following the trades of Xavier Nady and Jason Bay. Injuries have handicapped Doumit's career but he showed what he could do in a relatively healthy 2008.

NBA basketball star Dominique Wilkins was nicknamed "The Human Highlight Reel." Doumit might best be defined as "The Human Highlight Injury." The oft-injured Doumit missed nearly half of the 2007 season with ankle, hamstring and wrist injuries, appearing in just 83 games while batting .274 with nine homers and 32 RBI. On the positive side, Doumit did appear in 28 games behind the plate, making him catcher-eligible in many fantasy leagues. The versatile switch hitter is a below-average catcher, but he should see some time there again in 2008 backing up Ronny Paulino unless the team pulls off a trade. He has demonstrated a strong throwing arm in right field, where he played 38 games last year. Doumit has the ability to hit for average -- he batted .305 prior to the All-Star game, but staying healthy is his No. 1 concern. Seven injury-plagued seasons out of nine professional years make Doumit an unreliable fantasy commodity, at least as a starter.

For the sixth time in eight professional seasons, Doumit missed significant time due to injuries in 2006. A balky hamstring caused the switch-hitter to play in just 61 games for the Bucs. He hit .208 in 149 at-bats with six homers and 19 RBI. Perhaps most importantly to his development, fellow catcher Ronny Paulino filled in for Doumit early on and basically stole the catcher's job away from him with his fine play. As a result, Pittsburgh tried Doumit at first base, even though he'd never played there before. The results were basically disastrous and seemed to affect Doumit's hitting. Whatever position Doumit ends up playing, he needs to stay healthy. Defense is not his forte and a move to the American League might be in his best interests -- though he hasn't shown he can hit major league pitching consistently in parts of two seasons.

Health has always been a huge concern for Doumit. The 25-year-old switch-hitting catcher stayed healthy enough in 2005 to play 100-plus games (126) for just the second time in seven seasons of professional ball. He first turned heads in spring training, when he hit .400 with five homers and 12 RBI in 22 games, and then forced the Pirates' hand even further by belting 12 home runs and batting .345 in 165 at-bats at Triple-A. After the team recalled him in June, Doumit saw considerable action, batting .255 with six homers and 35 RBI in 273 at-bats. A mediocre defender, Doumit might be moved to the outfield, but for now he remains behind the plate with a great chance of starting for the Bucs in 2006.

The switch-hitting Doumit had trouble staying on the field in 2004, but if he can beat the injury bug this season he has a chance to re-assert himself as a candidate to become the Pirates catcher of the future. He'll need to develop the defensive aspect of his game, which is an area where his main competitor within the organization (J.R. House) has not excelled.

The switch-hitting Doumit is slated to catch at the Double-A level this year, but eventually he and fellow catching prospect J.R. House may cross swords as one of them will likely be Jason Kendall's successor.