Early on, it looked like Rio Ruiz was over-matched at the plate in the majors. Lately? Maybe some hope. That creates possibilities… and dilemmas.
In reading through Mark Bradley’s interview with Atlanta Braves General Manager John Coppolella, a couple of things stand out. Specifically, it sounds like Coppy wants to give the ‘kids’ a chance wherever possible:
- “I think we’re going to see a younger team.”
- “we’re going to see our young players make their way up to Atlanta, and they’re going to be given opportunities.”
- On whether the youngish infield seen in September could become an STP staple: “It could certainly factor in. You could have a great defensive infield with some good hitters who are going to get better.”
- “Part of what we want to do is grow with our kids.”
We know what is intended regarding Ronald Acuna: unless he lays an egg in Arizona this fall, the team is going to go to great lengths to make a space for Acuna. What isn’t exactly sorted at this point is the third base position.
While both Johan Camargo and Rio Ruiz have experienced extended flashes of brilliance, it’s probably time to check into how each has done overall.
One thing for sure: Adonis Garcia? Thanks for your efforts over the past couple of years. We’ll let the Mets know that you’re available.
But let’s check these new guys out:
Rio Ruiz
- For the year: .197 BA, .238 BABIP, .273 OBP, .317 SLG, .590 OPS, 53 wRC+ in 161 plate appearances.
- 4 homers, 21 runs, 19 RBI
- In the field: 1 error at first base; 2 at third in 313 innings (roughly 21% of a full season; consistent with Gwinnett pace)
- At Gwinnett: 432 PA, slash line of .247 / .322 / .446 / .768 OPS
- K rate at both levels: about 25%; walk rate about 9.5%
Lefty-hitting Ruiz has a bizarre set of platoon split numbers:
- vs. RHP: .176 BA (148 PA)
- vs. LHP: .455 BA (but just 13 PA)
If you include Gwinnett’s number in there, then a less clouded picture emerges:
- vs. RHP: .236 (463 PA)
- vs. LHP: .226 (130 PA)
Basically, he’s been having trouble hitting anybody… unless he’s on a hot streak.
Ruiz had a 9 game stretch between 9/1 and 9/15 in which he got hits in 11 of 13 games, batting …. 12 for 41, or a .292 clip. on May 24-25 he was 5 for 9 vs. the Pirates.
But he’s had just 12 hits over the entire rest of the season. That includes both a 10 game run with one lone hit (early June) and his current stretch of 8 games. (2 hits since the 15th).
Johan Camargo
- For the year: .297 BA, .360 BABIP, .329 OBP, .452 SLG, .781 OPS, 101 wRC+ in 254 plate appearances.
- 4 homers, 30 runs, 27 RBI
- In the field: 1 error at shortstop (205 innings), 3 at third base (285 innings), none at second base (57 innings). He also saw 1 innings in left field.
- At Gwinnett: 142 PA, slash line of .295 / .340 / .452 / .792… very similar to his major league totals.
- K rate jumped a bit from 15.5% to 19.7% in going to the majors; walk rate near 5% at both levels.
Switch-hitting Camargo is hitting lefties very well: .394. Against RHP, he’s still out-hitting Ruiz (.256), but was clearly better from the right side.
Curiously enough, he was hitting very well at home, regardless of the arm he was facing:
- At STP vs. RHP: .309 (104 PA)
- At STP vs. LHP: .333 (44 PA)
- …but don’t let him hit against right-handers on the road: .183 in 75 PA. Go figure.
Camargo hit better at AAA vs. RHP with a less-pronounced platoon split, but was still is over 1.000 OPS for the year against all southpaws.
Note: All stats cited from either fangraphs.com or baseball-reference.com
The Dilemma
Camargo has probably earned first dibs on the 3rd base position, but that’s complicated by the fact that he’s just so darned versatile at all infield positions – and maybe even in the outfield when desperate.
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Ruiz is probably the better defender overall, but that’s even a tough call given that he’s not been asked to do much of anything other than third base… consistently being at the same position helps Ruiz’ case, and hurts Camargo’s.
Another factor: if Brian Snitker is coming back at the helm of this team, do you really expect him to handle these players much differently from today’s shuffling?
If that’s the situation for 2018, then you’d probably see Camargo in vs. lefty starters, and then a split of duties other times – while Camargo pinch-hits, and spells other infielders occasionally.
My own opinion? If you’re going strictly with ‘the kids’, then hand the job to Camargo and let him hit: Ruiz can provide backup against tough right-handers and support off the bench.
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Beyond that, it would be okay with me to make Ruiz available to other organizations, but I’m also not ready to give up on him, either… his hitting just might eventually work, but it’s just taking a bit longer to blossom.