Which MLB Catchers Have 200 or More Career Home Runs?

Over the course of baseball history, only 21 *full-time MLB catchers have hit 200 or more career home runs. 

Each of those catchers with 200 home runs are listed below, ordered from the highest home run total to the lowest:

• Mike Piazza - 427 HR

• Johnny Bench - 389 HR

• Carlton Fisk - 376 HR

• Yogi Berra - 358 HR

• Gary Carter - 324 HR

• Lance Parrish - 324 HR

• Iván Rodríguez - 311 HR

• Brian McCann - 282 HR

• Jorge Posada - 275 HR

• Javy López - 260 HR

• Ted Simmons - 248 HR

• Víctor Martínez - 246 HR

• Salvador Pérez - 246 HR (through 2023)

• Mickey Tettleton - 245 HR

• Roy Campanella - 242 HR

• Gabby Hartnett - 236 HR

• Benito Santiago - 217 HR

• Bill Dickey - 202 HR

• Todd Hundley - 202 HR

• Gene Tenace - 201 HR

• Bill Freehan - 200 HR

 

*We define a full-time catcher as any MLB player who played 51% or more of their total defensive games as a catcher

Who from the 200 Home Run Club is in the Hall of Fame?

Ten of the catchers with 200 home runs are currently in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as of the end of 2023. 

Those ten are Mike Piazza, Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk, Yogi Berra, Gary Carter, Ivan Rodriguez, Ted Simmons, Roy Campanella, Gabby Hartnett and Bill Dickey.

Who from the 200 Home Run Club is not in the Hall of Fame? 

Among the 21 catchers with 200 home runs, 11 of them are not (currently) in the Hall of Fame.

Those in the 200 Home Run Club who are not in the Hall of Fame are Bill Freehan, Gene Tenace, Todd Hundley, Benito Santiago, Mickey Tettleton, Salvador Perez, Victor Martinez, Javy Lopez, Jorge Posada, Brian McCann and Lance Parrish.

What about Joe Torre and Craig Biggio?

Joe Torre, the Hall of Fame manager, was nearly a Hall of Fame player in his own right.

During his 18 year playing career, Torre hit 252 home runs. 

Although he caught 903 MLB games, it was not his primary playing position during the majority of his career. In fact, 59% of all of Torre's defensive games were played at a position other than catcher.

Similarly, Houston Astros great Craig Biggio hit 291 career home runs. However, just 15% of his total defensive games were played behind the plate.

Since the majority of Torre and Biggio’s games were played at a position other than catcher, they did not make the above list. 

Does Yadier Molina Have 200 Home Runs?

No, Yadier Molina does not have 200 home runs.

Yadi is one of the greatest catchers to play in recent times and will likely find himself in Cooperstown one day.

However, he wasn’t necessarily known for being a power hitter. 

Yadi finished his playing career in 2022 having hit 176 homers.

Current Catchers That May Join the 200 Homer Club?

Salvador Perez is the only active catcher in the 200 home run club. 

Among all the other current big league catchers, the closest to 200 is currently Yasmani Grandal of the Chicago White Sox. Through the end of 2023, he’s sitting at 185 career home runs.

The next most likely catcher to reach 200 home runs we predict is J.T. Realmuto of the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Through the end of the 2023 MLB season, Realmuto has 153 career homers.

Our last best guess is Venezuelan catcher and current Cardinal, Willson Contreras, who has 137 career home runs.

It’s too early to tell if some of the younger stars like Adley Rutschman or Cal Raleigh will reach the 200 homer threshold.

That’s a Wrap!

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