"Entering the 2026 season, the Nationals had four main options to fill two roster spots with catchers. Chief among those was Keibert Ruiz, who hadn't been so much as replacement level on the field since 2022 but had been extended through 2030 by a prior administration."
"Adams was outrighted off the roster in January, and Ford, between the World Baseball Classic and Spring Training, didn't look ready before being optioned at the end of camp. He managed just two hard-hit balls in 15 batted ball events across the WBC pool stage."
"Barring the aberration that are Ruiz's strangely positive framing numbers, the Nationals have gotten some of the least value out of their catchers across all of baseball."
"Even the eye test will tell you that he's allowed three passed balls in just 100 innings, and Statcast says he's in the 5th percentile of blocks above average."
Entering the 2026 season, the Nationals had four options for two catcher spots: Keibert Ruiz, Drew Millas, Harry Ford, and Riley Adams. Ruiz has struggled since 2022, while Millas has limited big-league experience. Ford, a top prospect, was optioned after a poor showing in the World Baseball Classic and Spring Training. Adams was removed from the roster. The current duo of Ruiz and Millas has performed poorly, with Ruiz's framing metrics being an outlier amidst overall disappointing value from the catchers, particularly Millas's defensive struggles.
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