Nats lock up Ruiz

[Smithian]

While admitting he's likely to never live up to the contract, I am in no hurry to bring in another catcher next season. I would like to see Ruiz in an actual rotation where he is not ridden into the ground. I unfortunately sold all my old Riley Adams stock at penny levels but I'm buying some more now it's rebounding. And it isn't like the Nats are trading for a talented young catcher. I'd rather watch a couple 20 somethings struggle with the Mendoza line than a 33 year old whose pop time is a couple years past its peak.

Also, fresh start coaching wise may be a big boon for Ruiz.

[imref]

While admitting he's likely to never live up to the contract, I am in no hurry to bring in another catcher next season. I would like to see Ruiz in an actual rotation where he is not ridden into the ground. I unfortunately sold all my old Riley Adams stock at penny levels but I'm buying some more now it's rebounding. And it isn't like the Nats are trading for a talented young catcher. I'd rather watch a couple 20 somethings struggle with the Mendoza line than a 33 year old whose pop time is a couple years past its peak.

Also, fresh start coaching wise may be a big boon for Ruiz.

i would be fine with Millas and Adams next year, they were one of the better tandems in the league this year after Ruiz went down.

[Slateman]

When was the last time he walked three times in 8 plate appearances

[imref]

0-3, 2Ks tonight. Fixed the walk problem

[nobleisthyname]

That's a lot of Ks for him.

[imref]

Feel like we've reached the end of the line for Ruiz. Still can't hit or play his position well, and getting killed in ABS challenges. Not sure Ford is ready, but Adams has a 1.017 OPS at Rochester and couldn't be any worse.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Millas also isn't looking all that good. Loved the last AB, but I don't think they want to add Adams back to the 40 man at this point.

[IanRubbish]

Feel like we've reached the end of the line for Ruiz. Still can't hit or play his position well, and getting killed in ABS challenges. Not sure Ford is ready, but Adams has a 1.017 OPS at Rochester and couldn't be any worse.

The end of the line was long ago, but he's owed another 30 million Lernerbucks, so we know there's plenty more of him in our future.  The pain of watching him play is only surpassed by having to listen to Franny praise his "framing ability" while the team still plays below average at catcher in terms of defensive runs saved, and much further below average in terms of color commentary.

[Slateman]

Feel like we've reached the end of the line for Ruiz. Still can't hit or play his position well, and getting killed in ABS challenges. Not sure Ford is ready, but Adams has a 1.017 OPS at Rochester and couldn't be any worse.

Millas also isn't looking all that good. Loved the last AB, but I don't think they want to add Adams back to the 40 man at this point.

Nope. They'll just plug along until Ford or Lomavita is ready.

[rileyn]

How much longer are we going to have to watch this guy?

[Slateman]

How much longer are going to have to watch this guy?

Probably a couple years. He's getting paid, so he will at least be the backup.

The bat is so disturbingly bad. Like, even the xBA from previous years had him hitting for a decent average. He's swinging this year like he broke his hammate bone and hasn't told anyone

[PowerBoater69]

As his OPS nears .800 Butera is going to have to get him more at bats, move him up in the order and let him DH when Millas is catching.

[rbw5t]

As his OPS nears .800 Butera is going to have to get him more at bats, move him up in the order and let him DH when Millas is catching.

Except that he seems to tire and lose pop when he plays a lot. I think we need to keep him fresh, which means playing Millas more than ideal I’m afraid.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

At some point, it's  Ford getting Millas's games. Keep Ruiz rested.

[Slateman]

All right, raise your had if you have Ruiz having a .768 OPS in the first 50 games? No one? Yea, me neither.

Think its worth noting that he's done all his damage against LHP (.949 OPS vs LHP and .639 vs RHP). This could match up nicely with Ford, who 2024-Present has hit right handed pitching better

[nobleisthyname]

I had completely written him off. Now he's looking like a viable half of a future catching tandem with Ford.

[blue911]

At some point, it's  Ford getting Millas's games. Keep Ruiz rested.

Catcher should be a platoon position. Just to manage the workload if for no other reason than.

[Slateman]

So Ruiz is our Suzuki. Now we need to find our Gomes

[IanRubbish]

Same AVG and OBP as last year, too low to start everyday.  But the soft swings of the last few years have been replaced by pulling the ball to get power, very few big hits anywhere near the middle of the field.  Could be coaching, Davey and Coles hated pulling for power, but in Keibert's case it's made him more effective than all the gently hit pop ups and grounders.

[Slateman]

Same AVG and OBP as last year, too low to start everyday.  But the soft swings of the last few years have been replaced by pulling the ball to get power, very few big hits anywhere near the middle of the field.  Could be coaching, Davey and Coles hated pulling for power, but in Keibert's case it's made him more effective than all the gently hit pop ups and grounders.

His current average is .250. The average BA in baseball is .241. At catcher, it's .225.

Also, neither Davey nor Coles hated pulling for power. In fact, that's generally one of the big reasons why Abrams and Wood took a downturn in the second half of last year. They over emphasized pulling the ball in the air.

[aspenbubba]

At some point, it's  Ford getting Millas's games. Keep Ruiz rested.

While Ford languishes in Rochester bring up Adams to replace Millas.

[welch]

While Ford languishes in Rochester bring up Adams to replace Millas.

Ford is hitting .202 right now. When he is up to .250 or .260, then maybe he will be ready.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

While Ford languishes in Rochester bring up Adams to replace Millas.

this team is not going to commit a 40 man roster  spot on Adams for 2 weeks to a month. They just don't want to expose anyone right now. They obviously like Chaparro some, and they aren't going to drop one of their pickups for someone they already waived off the roster.

I think they are OK with Millas every other game and Nunez playing nearly every day as long as they are leading the majors in runs scored. I will guess they think  that Adams is not a big upgrade as a hitter and is worse defensively. They also like Millas's framing, which was not an Adams strong suit. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Ford is hitting .202 right now. When he is up to .250 or .260, then maybe he will be ready.

.234 average with a.368 OBP this month. The power still hasn't shown up but he's nearly 1:1 on Ks and BBs.
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/harry-ford/29958/game-log?position=NP&gds=2026-05-01&gde=2026-10-31&season=&type=-2

[IdahoNat]

I wonder if they'll play Ford's contract next year too and wait to call him up till after May.