Washington Nationals Editorial: Where Does Wilson Ramos Rank Among Catchers in the NL East?
By Matt Weyrich
Carlos Ruiz – Philadelphia Phillies
Ruiz appeared in 86 games for the Phillies in 2015, hitting .211/.290/.285 with 60 hits, 13 doubles, one triple, two home runs, 23 runs, 22 RBIs, one stolen base (two attempts), 28 walks, and 43 strikeouts with an OPS+ of 59 over 320 plate appearances.
The former All-Star has struggled to stay on the field, playing in less than 114 games in four straight seasons. As the Phillies have fallen from grace as perennial division winners to the basement of the National League, so has Carlos Ruiz as one of the best offensive catchers in all of baseball to an old veteran past his prime.
At 37-years old, it is no sure bet that Ruiz will even be making a majority of the team’s starts at the catcher position. Teammate Cameron Rupp is ten years younger and has more potential with five more years of team control. However, Ruiz is still a .266 career hitter who makes a lot of contact and doesn’t strike out very often. His shoulder ailments that held him on the shelf for a majority of last year are reportedly fully healed, and he is ready to give another go at a full season.
Even if Ruiz doesn’t win the starting job out of spring training, he will be able to provide a much-needed veteran presence on a rebuilding ball club. He is one of two players left on the ballclub from the 2008 World Series championship team, and has enough knowledge in his head for rookies to pick his brain apart for years.
While Ruiz landed at the top of these rankings last season, he falls to the No. 4 spot very ungracefully. Perhaps he drinks from the Fountain of Youth this season and puts together a productive year. But if that were to happen, he would probably end up getting traded anyway.
Next: #3 Catcher in the NL East