Tonight, Keibert Ruiz might be batting seventh and catching. Ruiz being behind the plate has turn into a foregone conclusion at this level. To start out the season, Davey Martinez has leaned closely on his beginning catcher. It looks like that’s starting to backfire.
To start out the season, Ruiz was purple scorching. In his first 15 video games, Keibert hit .364 with a .935 OPS. The Nats younger catcher appeared nice, displaying off his contact expertise, in addition to some further base influence. His protection additionally appeared improved, with Ruiz controlling the operating sport higher than he had ever earlier than.
Nonetheless, his workload is starting to meet up with him. Ruiz will make his twenty seventh begin behind the plate in 31 video games. That’s the most in all of baseball. We’re seeing the consequences of that on either side of the ball. Nonetheless, Davey retains enjoying Ruiz on a regular basis, commonly mentioning that the catcher is adamant about enjoying.
Keibert Ruiz for the primary 2 weeks of the season was slashing: .364/.426/.509 and an OPS of .935.
and the previous 2 weeks of the season was slashing: .227/.261/.273 and an OPS of .534.
YOU CAN’T OVERUSE PLAYERS however supervisor Dave Martinez stated, “He was adamant about enjoying.” pic.twitter.com/CAFOh0GYpb
— Discuss Nats (@TalkNats) April 30, 2025
The supervisor mustn’t blindly consider a participant once they say they’re good to go. Most gamers need to compete and play each day. It’s the job of the supervisor to reel the participant again in and provides him a break day for the great of the crew. The MLB season is a 162 sport grind and catcher is probably the most bodily demanding place.
In his final 15 video games, Ruiz has fallen off offensively, with a .621 OPS. Sure, he’s hitting .281, however it’s an empty .281 with not many further base hits or walks. The very fact he’s not a risk on the bases makes that strong batting common much more hole.
Nonetheless, I believe now we have seen much more defensive regression from him currently. A whole lot of that appears like it’s coming from fatigue. His blocking has not been on level in any respect currently. Ruiz already has -5 blocks above common for the season. For reference, he was at a -2 for all of 2024. Ruiz’s framing can also be within the backside 1% of all MLB catchers.
As we noticed together with his incapability to place down a sport successful tag final night time, his focus is just not the place it must be. Truthfully, I don’t blame him. Catching practically 90% of your groups video games wears you down. It’s one thing solely elite guys like Yadier Molina can pull off. This falls on Davey Martinez for not having the texture to handle his catcher’s workload in 12 months 8 on the job.
Martinez ought to know to not throw guys three nights in a row and never run his catcher into the bottom by now, nevertheless it looks like he has nonetheless not discovered these issues in 12 months 8. It’s irritating to see a participant so clearly misused and seeing it impact his play so clearly.
Clearly Ruiz goes to be the groups starter and can get the lions share of the reps. Nonetheless, you must discover a steadiness. Giving Keibert a couple of extra nights off will assist him and it’ll additionally assist backup Riley Adams get going.
Keibert Ruiz shouldn’t be catching 87% of his groups video games. There usually are not many catchers who can do this and thrive. The place is simply too bodily demanding and the damage and tear turns into an excessive amount of. Keibert Ruiz is a competitor and needs to play each day. Nonetheless, it’s Davey Martinez’s job to handle his catcher and never completely consider him when he says he’s good to go. The outcomes are telling us that Keibert Ruiz is just not good to go and wishes a relaxation.
