Keibert Ruiz Emerging as a Bright Spot in Sluggish Nationals Lineup
As the Washington Nationals struggle offensively to open the 2025 season, catcher Keibert Ruiz is standing out as one of the few consistent performers. While many of his teammates—like Dylan Crews, Josh Bell, Jacob Young, and Luis García Jr.—have stumbled out of the gate, combining for only five hits, Ruiz is off to a red-hot start as he looks to rebound from a disappointing 2024 campaign.
A Make-or-Break Season for Ruiz
This season marks a pivotal moment in Ruiz’s career. After being entrusted with an 8-year, $50 million extension prior to the 2023 season—despite having just one solid full MLB season under his belt—the Nationals made it clear they were committed to him as a long-term piece of their rebuild.
The past two seasons, however, have been a mixed bag. In 2023, Ruiz showed some offensive promise with 18 home runs and a .717 OPS, but his defense was among the worst in the league for catchers. Then in 2024, his bat collapsed to a .619 OPS, though his defense modestly improved. A major early-season illness that caused him to lose 20 pounds likely played a role in his offensive decline, but inconsistent plate discipline and a lack of power were also key issues.
Strong Start to 2025 Shows Growth
So far in 2025, Ruiz looks like a different player. He’s batting .381 with a 1.149 OPS, and has hit safely in every game this season, extending his hitting streak to 10 games dating back to last year. He’s already launched two home runs and is showing much better discipline at the plate, laying off bad pitches and waiting for opportunities to drive the ball.
His approach has improved noticeably—he’s no longer just swinging to make contact. Ruiz is showing patience and better decision-making, which is allowing his natural bat-to-ball skills to shine.
Ruiz also appears more athletic and agile behind the plate. A key indicator is his improved pop time on stolen base attempts, dropping from a sluggish 2.06 seconds last year to 1.91 seconds this season. He’s already thrown out two of four base stealers, a marked improvement for a catcher who previously struggled to control the running game. Reports from MASN suggest a better diet—possibly thanks to hiring a personal chef—may be helping him physically.
Looking Ahead
While it’s still early in the season and too soon to declare a full turnaround, Ruiz is showing signs of putting it all together. The Nationals would benefit greatly if he can become a reliable, everyday catcher who contributes on both sides of the ball.
There’s reason for cautious optimism. Ruiz has had hot streaks before, only to fall into prolonged slumps, particularly with weak groundouts early in counts. Consistency will be the key. But with a stronger body, sharper approach, and renewed focus, Keibert Ruiz is off to the kind of start that suggests he’s ready to live up to the organization’s long-term faith in him.
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