Nats lock up Ruiz

[Smithian]

Something is off with him right now. They need to fake an injury and so he can have a stint on the Jason Marquis Memorial "I Suck"™ disabled list.

[nobleisthyname]

I still believe he'll turn it around from where he's currently at, but I'm not so sure he'll ever be better than he was last season, which still isn't very good.

With the bat swing speed data that was just released, it shows that Ruiz is one of the slowest swingers in the game, which makes sense given the overall lack of power throughout his career. I don't think that part of his game will ever develop. Theoretically you could maybe see him turning into an Arraez/Kwan type, who also have some of the slowest bat swing speeds, but make up for it by having great bat to ball skills and hitting the ball on the sweet spot for soft liners over the infield and in front of the outfielders.

I think that's the best case scenario at this point.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I still believe he'll turn it around from where he's currently at, but I'm not so sure he'll ever be better than he was last season, which still isn't very good.

With the bat swing speed data that was just released, it shows that Ruiz is one of the slowest swingers in the game, which makes sense given the overall lack of power throughout his career. I don't think that part of his game will ever develop. Theoretically you could maybe see him turning into an Arraez/Kwan type, who also have some of the slowest bat swing speeds, but make up for it by having great bat to ball skills and hitting the ball on the sweet spot for soft liners over the infield and in front of the outfielders.

I think that's the best case scenario at this point.

thing is, in the past he's shown contact skills, too. Slow bat in the plane of the ball leads to liners for Arraez / Kwan. But is looks like he's trying to elevate a bit this year. Maybe Coles needs to work with him. I'll take slappy contact from him for now.

[IanRubbish]

With the bat swing speed data that was just released, it shows that Ruiz is one of the slowest swingers in the game, which makes sense given the overall lack of power throughout his career. I don't think that part of his game will ever develop.

You're absolutely right.  Question is how will he impact this team in 2-3 years when they're supposed to be going for it.  Doubt they bench him given his contract and the "play the contract" approach they have.

[IanRubbish]

Svrluga on Keibert's struggles

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/05/21/keibert-ruiz-nationals-slump/

[Slateman]

Is he back

[NatsAllThe Way]

I hope so.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

It's all about not swinging at crud. He isn't going to drive out of the strike zone stuff. Making contact out of the strike zone is making weak contact.

I feel that if you tell me the number of pitches he sees per plate appearance, I'll be able to tell you how he is hitting.

[IanRubbish]

District on Deck has a really good article about this team's catching issues.   Millas is very likely the best catcher in the org.  However, with Mini Me and Rizzo playing the contract, I doubt they'd ever allow Ruiz to be a backup as the article suggests.

https://districtondeck.com/posts/the-nationals-answer-at-catcher-is-in-triple-a-01hyeqpjmdn6

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Adams still has an option. I wonder if they will swap him and Millas at some point. They can use the excuse of getting  Adams into more games to get him going. They can also play him at 1st a bit.

Yepez has started to turn things around the past couple of weeks (.283 /.404 / .543 over 57 PAs, with 3 HRs, 10 BBs and 6 Ks).

[Slateman]

Adams still has an option. I wonder if they will swap him and Millas at some point. They can use the excuse of getting  Adams into more games to get him going. They can also play him at 1st a bit.

Yepez has started to turn things around the past couple of weeks (.283 /.404 / .543 over 57 PAs, with 3 HRs, 10 BBs and 6 Ks).

I mean, we could just drop Nunez and then platoon Adams with Gallo.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I mean, we could just drop Nunez and then platoon Adams with Gallo.

I was a John McDonald fan, so I don't quite get the Nunez / McDonald comp. That's another thread, I guess.

[rileyn]

If Rizzo can flip Thomas (and maybe some mid-level prospects) for a quality starting 1B for the next few years, he deserves to have the stadium named after him.

Would including Ruiz in a deal net us a better return, or his contract too much of an albratross for anybody to pick up?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Would including Ruiz in a deal net us a better return, or his contract too much of an albratross for anybody to pick up?

[Slateman]

Would including Ruiz in a deal net us a better return, or his contract too much of an albratross for anybody to pick up?

Ruiz's contract isnt an albatross for just about any team. And I imagine a whole bunch of teams would leap at the chance to buy low on him.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Ruiz's contract isnt an albatross for just about any team. And I imagine a whole bunch of teams would leap at the chance to buy low on him.

you think he has positive trade value? I think including him diminishes the return.

IF you've paid for MLB trade values, i'm curious what they peg Ruiz at.

[Slateman]

you think he has positive trade value? I think including him diminishes the return.

IF you've paid for MLB trade values, i'm curious what they peg Ruiz at.

No idea, but they have Kyle Finnegan a -0.3 value, so they can freak off and die in a fire with their paid for bullcrap.

He doesnt diminish any return, you're just not getting anything for him cus he is at his lowest. Most teams will give you something, and just slot him into the backup spot. Like, we forget, but he was a 2 WAR player coming in to last season. Not sure why we're panicking and shifting to a guy who profiles as a defensive backup catcher.

If you want to go for it, add Elias Diaz to your shopping list

[aspenbubba]

Meh, you can just sign him in the offseason. Get what you can out of him.

Though, I was kind of hoping Ruiz would hit well enough to be a DH though.

My thoughts also. I wanted Adams and Milas as the catchers and I thought Ruiz would be a good DH

[JCA-CrystalCity]

My thoughts also. I wanted Adams and Milas as the catchers and I thought Ruiz would be a good DH

you're half right. I think he's a D right now. Designated. It's the whole H thing he's failing on. As long as Winker is on this roster, he should be penciled in as DH.

[IanRubbish]

Would including Ruiz in a deal net us a better return, or his contract too much of an albratross for anybody to pick up?

His contract, his offense, and his defense.

[Slateman]

you're half right. I think he's a D right now. Designated. It's the whole H thing he's failing on. As long as Winker is on this roster, he should be penciled in as DH.

Eh, its a perfect season to figure it out. The ability was there, hence the extension.

I think the coaching staff is a big problem. You have a hitting coach that is telling him to be aggressive when he needs to be far more selective. And they have altered his mechanics to try and frame better, but framing will be gone (or much less important) within a couple years.

But there would he a subtantial number of teams who would gladly gamble on his 8 year, 50 million contract in exchange for a fringe prospect.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Eh, its a perfect season to figure it out. The ability was there, hence the extension.

I think the coaching staff is a big problem. You have a hitting coach that is telling him to be aggressive when he needs to be far more selective. And they have altered his mechanics to try and frame better, but framing will be gone (or much less important) within a couple years.

But there would he a substantial number of teams who would gladly gamble on his 8 year, 50 million contract in exchange for a fringe prospect.

It worked wonders teaming a guy like Doo with Hickey, blending a guy who could work with analytics with an old school philosophy of pitching approach. I wonder if they need a second hitting coach or assistant who has a different philosophy than Coles that some of the hitters could turn to if Coles's approach doesn't get through or work for a guy. it might even be Frandsen, for all I know, but he drives home for some hitters they need to be more selective and they should feel OK in deeper counts given their contact skills.

[Senatorswin]

It worked wonders teaming a guy like Doo with Hickey, blending a guy who could work with analytics with an old school philosophy of pitching approach. I wonder if they need a second hitting coach or assistant who has a different philosophy than Coles that some of the hitters could turn to if Coles's approach doesn't get through or work for a guy. it might even be Frandsen, for all I know, but he drives home for some hitters they need to be more selective and they should feel OK in deeper counts given their contact skills.

Steal Howie Kendrick from the Phillies. Put the band from 2019 back together but this time as coaches.

[varoadking]

Steal Howie Kendrick from the Phillies. Put the band from 2019 back together but this time as coaches.

Howie should be the Skipper...

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Howie should be the Skipper...

President of Baseball Ops.

President Howie.  Nice sound to it. Something like a clang off a foul pole.