This is the year that the Nationals are going to turn 24-year old righty swinging Wilson Ramos, as the full-time starting catcher. Ramos played in 113 games for the Nationals last year and he was 104 of 389 (.267 avg, .779 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 15 homers and 52 RBIs. He has now played in 128 games in his first two years with the Nationals and he was 118 of 441 (.268 avg, .770 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 16 homers and 56 RBIs. Ramos has now played in 135 games in his first two years in the majors and he is 126 of 468 (.269 avg, .767 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 16 homers and 57 RBIs. Ramos played in 108 games behind the plate for the Nationals last year and he had 3 errors and 2 passed balls. He also threw out 19 of 71 (26.8%) base stealers and Nationals’ pitchers had a 3.73 ERA with him behind the plate. The Nationals stole Ramos in a deal with the Twins a couple of years ago, and he’s going to have a breakout year in 2012.

27-year old righty swinging Jesus Flores is going to back up Ramos in 2012. He played in 30 games for the Nationals last year and he was 18 for 86 (.209 avg, .567 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. Flores has now played in 228 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 167 of 660 (.253 avg, .699 OPS) with 62 runs scored, 17 homers and 101 RBIs. Flores played in 22 games behind the plate for the Nationals last year and had 1 error and 2 passed balls. He also threw out 4 of 20 (20%) base stealers and Nationals’ pitchers had a 3.36 ERA with him behind the dish. If Flores’ shoulder stays in one piece, he should be an improvement over Ivan Rodriguez.

33-year old righty swinging Carlos Maldonado will likely start the 2012 season in AAA-ball. He played in 38 in AAA-ball for the Nationals last year and he was 26 for 111 (.234 avg, .703 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 1 homer and 12 RBIs. Maldonado last played in the majors back in 2010 with the Nationals. He has played in 25 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 10 for 54 (.185 avg, .645 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 3 homers, 7 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CATCHERS IN 2012: B