It's just another example of how you shouldn't pay attention to anyone who writes a fantasy baseball column. If not for this game, we'd all be working in toll booths.

There are a plethora of very intriguing offensive players developing behind the plate. Last year, only one catcher, Victor Martinez, hit better than .300 with more than 10 home runs. This year, no fewer than 11 have a realistic chance of doing that.

The two top home run-hitting catchers of last year, Jason Varitek and Rod Barajas, aren't among this year's top 10. Instead, you'll find names such as Olivo, Ross, and Napoli, names that few fantasy owners knew five months ago, leading the power surge. Here are six catchers to watch as the position transforms from a fantasy weakness into a strength:

Brian McCann, Braves

Of all the impressive things about the Braves catcher, here's the most startling: McCann (.352-14-52) has hit above .300 each month this season. He can do it all; the 22-year-old backstop is currently on a power surge, hitting nine homers since July 1. Keep in mind that Javy Lopez, the last Braves catcher to show this kind of ability, didn't have his first .300 season with at least 10 homers until he was 24. McCann has a tremendous future and will be an elite fantasy catcher for the next decade.

Yorvit Torrealba, Rockies

Fantasy owners may feel lukewarm about Torrealba, who is best known for a handful of uneventful seasons as the backup in San Francisco. But as the starter in Denver, he's been an RBI monster. Coors no longer inflates numbers, yet Yorvit is putting up Blake Street Bomber stats, driving in 35 runs in his first 150 at-bats. After watching Torrealba score from first on a double in early August, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle has started giving the fleet-footed catcher the green light and he has stolen a couple bases as well. He finally appears to be a solid fantasy play.

Ronny Paulino, Pirates

Those tricky Pirates pulled a fantasy bait-and-switch. This spring, the team hailed Ryan Doumit as its young power-hitting catcher. An injury to Doumit opened the door for Paulino, who has responded with excellent play behind the plate and impressive results as a hitter. He's hitting over .300 in his first 300 at-bats, and recently he's shown more power, hitting two home runs in the first week of August. Paulino is the present and future in Pittsburgh, a Jason Kendall type with a bit more pop. As for Doumit, he could resurface as a first baseman once he's healthy.

Mike Napoli, Angels

Napoli's recent 2-for-43 stretch has brought his average tumbling to earth. Don't be too worried, however; this 25-year-old has what it takes to be an elite power-hitting catcher in the major leagues. He hit 60 home runs combined in the minors in 2004-05, and he has done a great job being patient at the plate in the majors, walking 40 times in his first 68 games. Napoli should be the Angels' starter the rest of this season and well into the future. He's a future 25-homer guy.

Russell Martin, Dodgers

The Dodgers showed how much they believe in Martin by trading away their future catcher, Dioner Navarro, to open up a slot for Martin to play every day. He's had a terrific rookie season, his average hovering around .300 with some power (five homers) and good speed (eight stolen bases). He's only 23 and is still developing, but it appears Martin already can help fantasy teams with his bat.

Eliezer Alfonzo, Giants

No name on this list is more unlikely than this one. An injury to Mike Matheny paved the way for Alfonzo, who had just 14 at-bats at the triple-A level prior to this season. At Fresno before his callup, the 27-year-old was hitting .189 with two home runs. So count the Giants among the surprised at how productive Alfonzo has been (.289-9-25) in the last two-plus months. While it's true than Matheny is out for the rest of the season, fantasy buyers beware: it's rare for a player with no track record of sustained minor-league success to continue hitting at this level for a full season. Once pitchers get to know him, Alfonzo might struggle.

Chris Coste, Phillies

A 33-year-old career minor leaguer without a starting job ... Who wouldn't be excited? Look past those labels, however, and Coste has been a cheap saviour for the Phillies and astute fantasy owners. Since July 1, he's hitting .361 with four homers and 17 RBIs. Like Alfonzo, Coste was hitting under .200 in the minors prior to his callup, so it would seem unlikely that he'll continue at this pace. Enjoy it while you can.

QUICK HITS

Speaking of catchers, Mike Piazza of the Padres might still be an elite choice. He is hitting .333 with six homers since the all-star break. Here are some surprising names among the top 10 in RBIs since the break: Juan Rivera of the Angels is tied for fourth with 26, and Rangers OF Mark DeRosa is tied for seventh with 25. By contrast, Albert Pujols has driven in 15 runs during that span.