CSS Button No Image Css3Menu.com

Baseball Prospectus home
  
  
Click here to log in Click here to subscribe

Keibert Ruiz

Born: 07/20/1998 (Age: 19)
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
Height: 6' 0" Weight: 225
Primary Position: C
Physical/Health
Thick frame, mature for age, broad shoulders with some present strength, projection for additional muscle development; strong legs, thick but not bulky in the lower half, moderate agility
Evaluator Wilson Karaman
Report Date 09/11/2017
Dates Seen 9 games July-September
Affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High A, Dodgers)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Video
2019 High 55 Yes
Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 55 Switch-hitter, open setup from left side, significant pre-pitch movement; consistent stride closing up and getting on line, aggressive stride has toned down a bit, tight coil, strong launch position, tips his bat, generates torque; front foot will get down early; keeps hands back well, solid hand-eye, above-average barrel control, above-average bat speed, clears hips efficiently, will generate some plane to lift balls in hitters' counts; aggressive in-zone, advanced zone command; more raw swing from right side, starts square, noisier load, hitch, shorter stroke, quick trigger, lacks torque, flat swing path, up-the-middle approach, less consistent with the barrel, struggles with velocity, will expand against changeups; significantly more advanced from left side, 55 projection LH, 45 RH, solid-average hit tool.
Power 45 Average raw LH, below-average RH; LH approach generally gap to gap, will lift and separate some in favorable counts, strength and bat speed to damage the baseball, should grow into a half-grade of additional raw, can play to an average tool in game from left side; RH swing geared exclusively to contact, very limited ability to lift balls, doesn't demonstrate interest in pulling balls, below-average utility.
Baserunning/Speed 20 4.48 LH, 4.62 RH; slow out of the box, marginal second gear, shows a head on the bases, but poor utility.
Glove 55 Quiet setting up, rides pretty low, inconsistent getting down on balls but flashes agility, sound technique; advanced framer, very strong glove hand, effective receiver at bottom of the zone, presents pitches well; strong reflexes pouncing on bunts, demonstrates advanced body control; ingredients of a solid defensive backstop.
Arm 50 Above-average raw arm strength, agile on pops, very inconsistent mechanics at present, immature game speed, consistently rushes throws, flies open; ball has significant tail, frequent misses high and arm side; most raw part of game at present.
Overall

Still a teenager, Ruiz impressed after a mid-season promotion to High-A as an advanced receiver with quality bat-to-ball skills and some nascent pop. The defensive package is raw to be sure, particularly regarding controlling the running game, but he already frames quite well and flashes sound blocking technique. The left-handed bat is much farther along, but he's got an idea of the strike zone from both sides and shows strong hand-eye and barrel control. This is a quality catching prospect with the ingredients to develop into a big-league starter, with room for a bit more if the right-handed swing maxes out.

Baseball Prospectus Home  |  Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Customer Service  |  Newsletter  |  Masthead  |  Contact Us