Who’s ready for some peanuts and crackerjacks? Maybe a “root, root” for the home team? Hearing those iconic lyrics means only one thing: MLB The Show is back. And for the first time in its existence, it’s back in more places than one. MLB The Show 21 will release on the Xbox Series and will be available on Game Pass.

When attempting to build a World Series-caliber team for the game’s Franchise mode, it’s easy to get swept up in the allure of big power hitters. Sure, it’s fun to score a ton of runs, but at the end of the day, it’s the defense that wins championships — and there’s isn’t a more important defensive position on the diamond than catcher.

Operating as the field general, catchers have to understand countless varying situations with base runners and batters. These players are defensive gurus behind home plate and should not be underestimated.

10 Tom Murphy, Mariners: 78

From a glance, seeing a fielding rating of 78 isn’t something to get excited about. But looking at the rest of his defensive ratings, it’s easy to see why Tom Murphy has potential.

The 30-year-old has above-average arm strength (81) and accuracy (85), helping him throw out baserunners attempting to steal on him. His reaction time (71) needs to get better, and Murphy’s ability to properly block a wild pitch (75) is pedestrian. In 2019 with the Seattle Mariners, Murphy had 499 putouts in 67 games.

9 Martín Maldonado, Astros: 78

A savvy veteran, Martín Maldonado has played on five different teams since his debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011. In 2017, the 34-year-old won his lone Gold Glove award as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. Last year in the shortened season, Maldonado only committed two errors.

Over the course of his 11-year career, Maldonado has been a solid catcher behind the plate. His fielding (78), blocking (78), and throw accuracy (78) are all slightly above-average, while his arm strength (82) and reaction time (88) are a bit higher. Maldonado also has a quirk, Catcher Pop Time, which means he excels at throwing out base stealers.

8 Christian Vázquez, Red Sox: 85

If catchers were separated into tiers, this is where an old tier ends and a new one begins. Christian Vázquez debuted for the Boston Red Sox in 2014, and eventually played a key role in the team winning the 2017 World Series.

Over the past two seasons, Vázquez has committed only three errors total. The 30-year-old has excellent reaction time (94), and well-above-average ratings in fielding (85), throw accuracy (83), and blocking (83). Vázquez’s quirk, Vacuum, reinforces how good he is at smothering wild pitches thrown in the dirt.

7 Tucker Barnhart, Reds: 88

Drafted in the 2009 Amateur Draft, Tucker Barnhart made his major league debut in 2014 with the Cincinnati Reds. Coming off his second Gold Glove award, Barnhart committed zero errors in 2020. The most games Barnhart played as a catcher in a season was 118 in 2018, where the 30-year-old committed just two errors. Even though he didn’t have an error last season, Barnhart only played in 38 games out of 60, so his 2018 season might be a better sample in determining what kind of player he is.

The Reds catcher doesn’t have the best throwing arm (63) nor is he accurate (72), but he has one of the highest ratings in reaction time (98). Barnhart’s quick reactions might not do a whole lot of good with his average blocking (72), but at least he can make a solid attempt.

6 Buster Posey, Giants: 88

A future Hall of Famer, Buster Posey is one of the best players ever in the history of the San Francisco Giants. Since Posey debuted for the Giants in 2009, he’s gone on to win Rookie of the Year, one MVP, four Silver Sluggers, one Gold Glove, and has been named an All-Star six times. As one of the best hitting catchers to play the game, Posey is a ridiculous .301 career hitter. But as a defender? Even better.

Posey committed just two errors in 2019 (he didn’t play in 2020 due to COVID-19), which could be a direct result of his superb blocking. Posey’s blocking (95) is rated the second-highest among catchers. Through his 12 years in the MLB, Posey has mastered the art of getting his body in front of the ball to limit any wild pitches. The 34-year-old still possesses fast reflexes (84) and the ability to cleanly field bunts or softly hit grounders (88).

5 Yasmani Grandal, White Sox: 91

A two-time All-Star, Yasmani Grandal is among only four other catchers to have a perfect reaction time (99). Grandal debuted in 2012 with the San Diego Padres before he was traded to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. In Grandal’s first season with the Dodgers, he committed only three errors en route to his first All-Star selection. Grandal secured his second All-Star selection after his first — and only — season with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019.

Although Grandal is rated highly among catchers, his lack of arm strength (59) severely hinders his overall impact behind the plate. His accuracy (83) makes up for the underpowered throws, as well as his fielding (91) and blocking (83).

4 Manny Piña, Brewers: 92

Interestingly enough, when Yasmani Grandal signed with the Chicago White Sox after the 2019 season with Milwaukee, the Brewers already had his replacement on its roster. Last season, Piña committed zero errors, but only appeared in 15 games due to a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Although Piña’s arm strength (75) and accuracy (64) suffer, he still has the quirk Catcher Pop Time, which means he excels at throwing out base stealers. Piña has above-average ratings in fielding (91) and reaction time (86). The 33-year-old has a second quirk, Vacuum, because of his high blocking rating (84).

3 Max Stassi, Angels: 94

Fun fact about Max Stassi: throughout his nine-year career, he’s only been a player on AL West teams. Drafted by the Oakland A’s in 2009, Max Stassi eventually made his debut in 2013 with the Houston Astros. After spending a little over six seasons with Houston, Stassi was traded to the division-rival Los Angeles Angels. Stassi has committed only two errors over the past three seasons. The most errors he’s ever had in a season are just two, however, the most games Stassi has appeared in was 82 in 2018.

Stassi’s fielding (94) and reaction time (99) try to account for his well below-average arm strength (66), accuracy (59), and blocking (59). Unless Stassi can improve on those lower ratings, his potential as a catcher will always be limited.

2 Jacob Stallings, Pirates: 94

The highest overall rated player on the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jacob Stallings is well on his way to being named the best catcher in baseball. Stallings debuted for the Pirates in 2016 and has exclusively played catcher for the team. Over his six-year career, Stallings committed just 11 errors, which possibly explains his exceptionally high ratings.

The 31-year-old has a perfect rating in reaction time (99), amazing fielder (94), knows how to block wild pitches (83), and has above-average arm strength (80) and accuracy (83). Stalling is already the highest overall rated player on the Pirates, and soon, he might claim the title of highest overall catcher in the league.

1 Roberto Perez, Indians: 99

The No. 1 rated fielding catcher resides in the great state of Cleveland. Making his debut in 2014, Roberto Perez has spent his entire eight-year career with the Cleveland Indians. He’s a two-time Gold Glove winner in 2019 and 2020. In 2019, Perez appeared in 118 games and committed only three errors, and then the following season he committed zero errors in 32 game appearances.

Compared to the defensive ratings of other catchers, there’s no debate as to why Perez is at the top. The 32-year-old has nearly all perfect scores across the board in fielding (99), arm accuracy (99), reaction time (99), and blocking (99). The only blemish on Perez’s near-perfect rating sheet is his arm strength (68). As a bonus, Perez also has a perfect bunting rating (99). If the math is correct, that’s an unprecedented five perfect ratings for Perez. Without a doubt, Perez is the best fielding catcher in the league.

NEXT: MLB The Show 21: 10 Best Fielding Outfielders