Rod Barajas

49-Year-Old CatcherC

Free Agent

2024 Stats

AVG

.000

RBI

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AVG

RBI

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2024 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for Rod Barajas in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Bats R

Throws R

40 Man No

Height 6'2"

Weight 250

DOB 9/5/1975

Born Ontario, CA

College Cerritos (CA) JC

Drafted 1996 ARI

Rod Barajas: Will Manage In 2014

CFree Agent

January 14, 2014

Barajas will manage the Padres' rookie-level club in 2014, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.

ANALYSIS
No teams have come knocking since Barajas was released by the Diamondbacks last spring, leading the 38-year-old to accept a managerial role. In parts of 14 major league seasons, Barajas hit .235/.284/.407 with 136 total home runs and 480 RBI.

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Past Fantasy Outlooks

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

In 2012, Barajas posted his lowest batting average (.206) and OPS (.625) since 2003. He reached double-digit homers for the fifth straight season, but his 11 home runs were one of the few positives he added to the Pittsburgh lineup. At 37, his skills are in steep decline, not only at the plate but also behind it. He threw out only six of 99 baserunners, the worst percentage by far among regulars. Barajas offers plenty of intangibles but his actual ability limits his fantasy value to that of a possible midseason, waiver-wire pickup in 2013.

Barajas continued his "one-trick pony" ways, batting just .230/.287/.430 in 2011, but contributing 16 home runs in 305 at-bats. For his career, Barajas is a .238 hitter and he certainly won't steal bases (two for his entire career), but over the past three seasons, he's been good for one long ball per 20 at-bats. Barajas will take his talents to Pittsburgh this year where he'll serve as the Pirates' starting catcher until prospect Tony Sanchez is ready.

Barajas hit just .240/.287/.447 for the year, but after coming to the Dodgers in an August waiver deal from the Mets, those numbers spiked to .297/.361/.578 in 64 at-bats. Clearly those numbers aren't repeatable over an extended sample size given Barajas' skill set and past performance, but he could be an average fantasy catcher given 300-plus at-bats. With the departure of Russell Martin via free agency, it appears Barajas will be the team's primary catcher in 2011.

Barajas drove in a career-high 71 runs in 2009 in a full-time role with the Jays and hit the free-agent market. He's much better suited for a reserve role at this stage in his career, but someone will likely pony up the dough and make him their starter. His average will hurt you and he doesn't draw enough walks to help out your runs scored, but Barajas will still dent the occasional outfield seat.

Barajas parlayed an injury to Gregg Zaun into some regular playing time and finished with 11 homers and 49 RBI. The Jays picked up the $2.4 million option on his contract and jettisoned Zaun, so Barajas will be back as the team's primary catcher this season. He'll hurt your batting average, but will provide above average power for his position with the increased role.

The Phillies signed Barajas to provide veteran insurance in 2007 in case Carlos Ruiz wasn't ready to catch every day in the big leagues. The plan was for Barajas to start 90 games, but he only managed to catch in 38. Barajas' lackluster plate performance eventually gave Chris Coste the backup spot, so Barajas will seek employment elsewhere this spring.

Barajas' power and playing time dipped in Texas as the season wore on last year when it became apparent that Gerald Laird would be the catcher for 2007 and beyond. Barajas could now end up as the starter after signing with the Phillies, as he'll compete for playing time with rookie Carlos Ruiz. He offers power behind the plate, but 2005 is looking like a career year.

Barajas surprised many by continuing his power spike from 2004. He hit 14 of his 21 homers on the road, and 14 after the All-Star break, too, so he didn't wear down despite a pretty heavy workload. It's a job that youngster Gerald Laird could do cheaper and better, but Barajas seems to be a favorite of manager Buck Showalter. There's talk of a multi-year deal this winter. He's arbitration eligible, so he'll be back for one year at the very least and should put up similar numbers.

Barajas emerged as Texas' primary catcher in 2004 after an April trade of Einar Diaz and an injury to Gerald Laird. His walks and strikeouts don't bode well for retaining the power spike, however, and his numbers after the All-Star break (.225, 3 HR, .631 OPS in 57 games) show a truer indication of Barajas' skill set than the season totals. Expect a drop-off here.

With an anemic bat, Barajas' biggest claim to the Diamondbacks' regular catcher job was that he was Curt Schilling's favorite catcher. Now that Schilling has moved on and Rob Hammock has proven to be a decent major league hitter, Barajas is no better than the backup at Arizona, and may be sent packing once prospect Chris Snyder is ready. No reason to bid anything on Barajas in any type of league.

Barajas looks to share time behind the plate with Chad Moeller for Arizona (although note that Moeller will catch every time Randy Johnson pitches). Frankly, not a very good hitter (.234-3-23 in 70 games last year), and, turning 28 this year, we've got no reason to believe he'll suddenly get better. You have better catcher options, even for late-round plays in deep NL leagues.

More Fantasy News

CFree Agent

March 25, 2013

Barajas has been released by the D-Backs, the Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro reports.