Before we jump to criticizing Keibert Ruiz for his forgettable 2024 season, let’s take a step back and set the stage. The Washington Nationals’ young catcher is well aware of the challenges ahead. Ruiz, the man at the center of this conversation, is taking ownership of his struggles.
“I wasn’t happy with the year that I had last year,” Ruiz admitted. “I was disappointed. I tried to see what I did wrong last year. I just got to keep getting better every day, work on the things that I didn’t do good last year, like chasing [pitches when] hitting, swinging too much at balls. Catching, the throws was really bad last year, and still working on receiving. All those little things, if I put them together, it’s going to be better.”
That’s a hefty list, and let’s be honest—some of those aren’t just “little things.” Ruiz’s role as the Nationals’ starting catcher means 2025 is a defining season. Can he shake off his struggles, learn from his missteps, and prove he deserves his spot? That’s the question looming over him.
A Brutal Season in Review
The numbers don’t lie. Among the 169 players with at least 450 plate appearances in 2024, Ruiz finished dead last in on-base percentage (.260) and nearly at the bottom in OPS (.619), ranking 166th. Defensively, things weren’t much better—Baseball Savant’s “caught-stealing above average” metric placed him 64th out of 66 catchers.
That’s a tough pill to swallow. The Nationals gave Ruiz 485 plate appearances despite those numbers, which speaks volumes about their faith in him—or perhaps their lack of better options.
“It’s been interesting, because he didn’t like anything about last year,” said Nationals manager Dave Martinez. “He really didn’t. He was very—I wouldn’t say upset, but he was down on himself.”
Spring training is often synonymous with hope and fresh starts, and that’s exactly what Ruiz needs. However, his situation is complicated by the long-term contract he signed two years ago. The Nationals inked him to an eight-year, $50 million extension, securing what they hoped would be a cornerstone of their future. But after his 2024 struggles, that deal is starting to feel like a weight rather than a win.
Financially, it’s not a franchise-crippling deal. His highest salary will be $9.4 million in 2029 or 2030, and if the Nats exercise the $12 million option for 2031 and the $14 million option for 2032, it means Ruiz would have proven his worth. Still, for a team that has historically struggled to retain homegrown talent, committing to a player who may not pan out carries a painful irony.
Ruiz understands the expectations that come with his contract. “I don’t want to say ‘pressure,’” he said. “They believe in me, so I got to take responsibility and do my job right. It’s bad when they trust you, they pay you, and you don’t do what they want. I feel that way.”
The Swinging Struggles
Ruiz’s offensive problems are glaring. His approach at the plate is far from disciplined—he swung at an alarming 39.1 percent of pitches outside the strike zone in 2024, per FanGraphs. Worse, he actually connected with 80 percent of those swings. The result? Weak contact, easy outs, and an inability to get on base.
Pitchers have caught on. They know they don’t need to throw him strikes, and Ruiz, to his credit, recognizes the problem. “They know they don’t have to throw right down the middle, especially to me, because I chase a lot,” he admitted. “That’s something I’ve got to control and be aggressive—but on my pitch. I’ve got to see pitches. I’ve got to take walks. I’ve got to swing at strikes, wait for my pitch until I get to two strikes.”
Can He Change?
At 26 years old, Ruiz is still young, but he’s no longer a rookie. After accumulating 1,584 major league plate appearances, can he completely rework his approach? The Nationals don’t think it’s a matter of physical ability—it’s about freeing his mind and finding confidence.
“I think the pressure comes with—for him—wanting to show everybody that he’s worth the contract,” Martinez explained. “And I tell him all the time, for me, that’s not what we’re trying to do. Just try to go out there and play.”
The Catcher’s Balancing Act
Unlike other struggling hitters who can spend endless hours in the cage, Ruiz’s position as a catcher complicates things. His job is multifaceted—calling games, handling pitchers, working on defense—all of which take precedence over his own offensive adjustments.
“Just from the outset, the catching side of it, the defensive side of it, is the most important part,” said Riley Adams, Ruiz’s backup. “Being there for your pitchers in whatever way possible, that’s always going to be priority number one. All the extra work you do, video, the scouting, that’s always going to take priority. … If you had to ask a catcher if you want to catch a shutout and go ‘oh-fer’ or go 4 for 4 and give up a bunch of runs, every catcher would rather catch a shutout.”
Ruiz has taken that to heart. After experiencing arm pain in the spring of 2024 from starting his throwing program too late, he spent this offseason focusing on long toss and improving his athleticism—shedding more than 10 pounds in the process. This spring, he’s been proactive, holding catchers-only meetings, sitting down with pitchers individually, and doubling down on his defensive responsibilities.
“The important things a catcher has to do, he’s been doing,” said Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo. “You know how hard it is sometimes when you’re struggling offensively to focus on defense. His job is to be the leader of that pitching staff and to prepare for each game. The enlightening thing for me is that never wavered, which is difficult for a young player. Usually, you take your offense on defense with you. Behind the plate, that’s unacceptable, and he never did that.”
A New Beginning
It’s February. It’s the season of fresh starts and renewed confidence. There are no guarantees that Ruiz will turn things around in 2025, but one thing is clear: He isn’t shying away from his struggles.
“I got to learn from the bad things, and go, ‘Okay, that stays in the past,’” Ruiz said. “This is a new year, new opportunity, and I’ve got to take advantage of it.”
For the Nationals, for their young catcher, and for the fans hoping to see a turnaround, that’s the kind of attitude that at least gives hope. Now, it’s time to see if he can turn words into results.
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