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2009 review and 2010 preview: Carlos Ruiz
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The catcher may be the most underrated position in all of baseball. Catchers are not only important offensively, but they must help the pitcher to manage a game on a pitch-to-pitch basis. Over the past two seasons, Carlos Ruiz has proven the importance of the man behind the plate.
Since being called up to the big leagues midway through the 2006 season, Ruiz has been spectacular defensively. In 2009, Ruiz threw out only 27% of potential base stealers, but opposing teams only totaled 61 stolen bases off of him.
Ruiz has an above average arm, but his strong suit is in his ability to block ill advised pitches, limiting extra bases. Last year, he allowed only one passed ball, which was three less than National League Gold Glove winner Yadier Molina. Also, Ruiz's fielding percentage in 2009 was higher than Molina's, and it has been higher than the league average since he has become a starter in 2007.
Also, Ruiz does a great job of blocking the plate, helping to reduce the run production by opposing teams. Ruiz uses positioning to cut down runs, just as he uses positioning to help out the Phillies pitching staff. The staff favors Ruiz because of his premier defense. When he does not start, Manager Charlie Manuel often enters Ruiz when he goes to the bullpen for Brad Lidge. Ruiz is relied upon because of his ability to block Lidge's devestating slider.
During his career, Ruiz's offensive production has been consistent with a defensive-minded catcher. In 2009, he hit .259 with 9 homeruns and 43 RBI. Ruiz has been an admirable eight hitter, putting the ball in play (only 39 strikeouts in 2009) in an attempt to help the team turnover the lineup.
Ruiz's offensive value has been best exemplified over the past three playoff runs for the Phillies. In seven playoff series' he has hit under .300 only one time. He has given the team some much needed power in the bottom of the lineup with ten extra base hits and 13 RBI over the past two playoff runs.
Ruiz will be 31 years old in 2010, as he begins his fourth full season with the Phillies. Ruiz is due for salary arbitration this year, so he will be getting a much deserved raise from the team.
In 2010, Ruiz will again be the main catcher for the Phillies and barring injury, he should log more than 110 starts behind the plate. Because he does not strike out a lot, Ruiz will once again be called upon to hit eighth in the Phillies line-up.
Expect Ruiz to put up roughly the same numbers as he did in 2009. Although .255 does not seem like a great average his ability to put the ball in play is vital for the Phillies as their last hope in the bottom of the lineup. Ruiz's 9 homeruns in 2009 was his highest season total, and he should be able to match this number.
It truly does not matter what Ruiz's offensive numbers are in 2010, he is much more important as a game manager behind the plate. Ruiz will consistently play solid, if not spectacular defense and he will help the team win many games solely on his abilities as the team's catcher.
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