"Every player dreams of getting a Gatorade shower in a postgame celebration. They rarely happen. The unwritten rule is that you must single-handedly carry your team to a victory to earn the bath. Yesterday, Keibert Ruiz did just that in a 7-5 win by the Washington Nationals."
"In the offseason, catcher Harry Ford was acquired by the Nationals in a trade. It looked like Ruiz's days were numbered with the team. But Ford struggled in Spring Training. Riley Adams was DFA'd and went to Triple-A Rochester. By default, Ruiz and catcher Drew Millas would become the two catchers to make the Nationals roster for Opening Day this year."
"Since 2023 and through the 2025 season, Ruiz's FanGraphs WAR has him cumulatively at a -1.8 WAR. On Wednesday, he was a -0.1 WAR for this season. After his 3-for-4 game with a home run and two doubles, three runs scored and four RBIs, Ruiz's 2026 season moved to a +0.2 WAR. A big jump in the right direction."
""I've been working really hard with the hitting coaches here, and they've been helping me a lot every single day. I'm grateful for them. To have those results - and help the team win, it feels good. I've got to keep getting better, keep working hard." - Ruiz said after the game"
Keibert Ruiz received a Gatorade shower after helping the Washington Nationals win 7-5. The bath is described as a rare reward reserved for players who carry their teams to victory. Ruiz’s roster spot had seemed uncertain after the offseason acquisition of catcher Harry Ford and subsequent spring struggles by Ford, along with Riley Adams being designated for assignment and sent to Triple-A. Ruiz and Drew Millas became the catchers for Opening Day. Ruiz’s contract details include $5.375 million this year and $9.375 million guaranteed over two years. His FanGraphs WAR moved from negative territory to a small positive after a 3-for-4 performance with a home run, two doubles, three runs, and four RBIs. Ruiz credited daily work with hitting coaches and said he will keep improving.
Read at TalkNats.com
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