Carlos Ruiz

Ruiz's 11-year tenure with the Phillies ended when he was traded to the Dodgers in August. He served as a backup catcher with both teams, first playing behind Cameron Rupp, then Yasmani Grandal. Now traded to Seattle, he figures to do the same with Mike Zunino. Ruiz had a bounceback year offensively in 2016, registering a .365 on-base percentage that was his best mark since his All-Star year in 2012. He also posted a robust .271/.407/.386 slash line against left-handers for the season, so he should have a place somewhere in the Mariners' lineup when a southpaw is starting. There might be a bit of a logjam at catcher if the team also decides to give Jesus Sucre playing time. The 37-year-old's fantasy value is negligible given the limited playing time, but he should still be useful to the Mariners as an above-average backup and veteran in the clubhouse, as well as a potential aid to a rotation coming off a down year.

The Phillies entered last season planning to cut back Ruiz's playing time to keep him fresh for a full season. That part of the plan worked, but Ruiz didn't do his part as he hit just .211 with two home runs in 284 at-bats. He lost playing time to Cameron Rupp in the second half of the season as the young catcher showed surprising pop at the plate. Ruiz is entering the final year of his contract and figures to open the year as a backup to Rupp, giving him a start or two per week. His offensive skill set and role are not a recipe for fantasy success, so ignore Ruiz in all but the deepest of leagues.

Ruiz played in 110 games for the Phillies in 2014, posting a batting line of .252/.347/.717 with six home runs. He missed a significant chunk of time in July with a concussion and also underwent a minor arthroscopic procedure on his left shoulder after the season. Ruiz has a good eye at the plate and makes good contact, which allows him to hit for a decent average. He will also pop the occasional home run, though hitting double-digits is highly unlikely at this stage of his career. Ruiz will be 36 years old this season and the Phillies may opt to rest him a bit more to keep him fresh.

Ruiz began last year by serving a 25-game suspension for a second positive amphetamine test. He got off to a slow start when he returned to the active roster, and did not hit his first home run until July. He was at his best in August, when he hit .333 with four home runs, but then he slowed down again in September. His five home runs were a disappointment after he hit 16 in 2012. The 2012 breakout was fueled by a 15.1 percent HR/FB rate, which was out of line with his career average. He was near a career-low rate last season at 5.5 percent, but that mark is more in line with his 7.4 percent career average. Ruiz is unlikely to return to his lofty 2012 home run rate again, but his overall skill set is solid for a catcher. He will hit for a decent average, provide a little power, and play around five or six times a week, which helps contribute to counting stats.

Ruiz put together the best year of his career last season despite being limited by plantar fasciitis for much of August and September. His .325 average, 16 home runs, 68 RBI, and 56 runs scored were all career highs. His .343 BABIP was also a career high and well above his career average of .297. That number will correct itself in 2013 and Ruiz will likely see his average settle in somewhere closer to his .297 career average. It is also not uncommon for catchers, whose skills often are slower to develop than other players, to see a power spike in their mid-30s. Ruiz saw a big jump in his power numbers from his career average. While it makes sense to expect a drop-off in his home run totals this year, especially since he'll miss the first 25 games of the 2013 season due to a suspension for a second positive amphetamine test, it is not necessarily going to be the case that he'll crater back to his career average rate. Don't pay for the 2012 numbers and know that you won't have him until the end of April, but do expect Ruiz to be a solid catching option again this season once he resumes playing.

Ruiz put together another solid year in 2011 but failed to build on his 2010 campaign. His batting average dropped, and despite increased at-bats, he also ended up with fewer home runs and RBI than his 2010 season. Ruiz is considered an excellent catcher and his glove will keep him in the lineup five to six games a week. He's not going to win your league for you, but there are worse options to have to plug into your catching spot each week.

Ruiz had the best offensive season of his career in 2010. He hit more than .300 for the first time and posted a team-high .400 OBP. He may not be able to match those numbers again this season, but we don't expect his average to drop too much given his solid eye at the plate. Ruiz doesn't have a ton of power, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him hit double-digit home runs one of these years as he's been close twice now. Ruiz isn't a player who will carry your fantasy team, but he's a rare catcher who doesn't hurt your chances either.

Ruiz bounced back from a poor 2008 to post respectable numbers for a catcher last season. He has a good eye at the plate but he doesn't make a lot of contact when he does swing which holds his batting average down. Ruiz's greatest strength is his work behind the plate. That will ensure him the majority of the starts for the Phillies behind the plate. Brian Schneider shouldn't see more than a start or two per week, but he could cut into Ruiz's playing time should Ruiz get into a funk at the plate. Ruiz has the potential to finish in the low-teens in home runs this year and should hit around .260 which makes him a pretty good option in NL-only leagues.

Ruiz should continue to be one of those players that has a bunch of value to his real-life team but is unable to provide much to any fantasy squads. Ruiz hit .219 with four home runs, 31 RBI and 47 runs in 2008. He platooned with Chris Coste for most of the season, but received 49 of the 51 at-bats between the two in the postseason, with Philadelphia preferring Ruiz's superior defense. A similar platoon situation is expected in 2009, at least during the first-half of the season, so Ruiz does not have much, if any, fantasy value beyond deep leagues. Ruiz’s value is also tied to Lou Marson’s development, as the youngster could compete for Ruiz’s job later in the season if he continues to develop as expected.

Ruiz stole the starting job behind the plate away from Rod Barajas in April but enters spring training in 2008 as the undisputed starter at catcher. Ruiz had pretty mediocre stats, .259, six homers, 54 RBI, but provided a calming influence to the Phillies' suspect pitching staff. This was only Ruiz's second season in the big leagues, so he should be expected to improve as he gains experience.

Ruiz has quietly emerged as a starting catching prospect for the Phillies after two good years of production at Triple-A. His defense is acceptable and he showed good power in 2006, with 41 XBH in 100 games at Triple-A. Check on him in spring training to see if he has the job—Ruiz could play most of the year in the majors, or could have the rug pulled out from under him with a late-spring acquisition.

Ruiz, the Phillies' top catching prospect, had a slow start at Triple-A because of a sprained knee but finished off the year pretty well. Scouts aren't crazy about him because he's already 26, but some catchers break into the majors that late and have good careers. Ruiz makes good contact and has an opportunity, since 2006 is the last year of Mike Lieberthal's contract. He'll head back to Triple-A, and hopefully rediscover the power stroke he displayed in 2004.