Carlos Ruiz: All-Star?

by WholeCamels on Jun 8, 2009 11:10 AM EDT

1. Leads all National League Catchers in OPS - .945 (min. 100 plate appearances). Better than Phillies-slayer Brian McCann (.916), who is ridiculously awesome. Since coming back from injury in May, Ruiz has been raking at a .313/.447(!!)/.530 clip.

2. Throwing out baserunners like crazy.

3. Charlie picks the reserves.

4. The catching position in the NL is pretty poor.

Everything's comin' up Chooch!

My money is on the Phillies sending three players to the All-Star Game - Utley, Ibanez, and Ruiz, with Howard as a possible injury replacement. It'd be nice to see Madson honored, but I'd just as soon see him get some rest.

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Maybe Cole gets a place on the team due to Chaz…

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Jun 8, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

Oh, why not

I’m sure they’ll carry three catchers (at least?) so I’d be happy to see Ruiz there, though he’s not really this good.

by phatj on Jun 8, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

Posts

I have to admit your posts are getting better, people.

by fan since late 40's on Jun 8, 2009 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

That’s great, since your approval means everything to us.

by taco pal on Jun 8, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d say there’s a 62% chance that this is my dad, messing with us.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Jun 8, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

And he is commenting on all of your multiple personalities?

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Jun 8, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

THen I feel bad for you – and any siblings you have

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on Jun 8, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

In my opinion, Chooch is the perfect selection for an all-star game. I absolutely hate seeing the name “stars” in the all-star game year in and year out (well, I would be seeing the name “stars” if I actually watched the game, or cared even a little…). To me, the all-star game should be about the best players at their respective positions for the given year. Obviously, Chooch is not as good a player as Brian McCann is. However, he is playing better thus far in ’09, and deserves a little recognition.

by Neduol Caz on Jun 8, 2009 6:44 PM EDT reply actions

Only problem with this is that nobody ever recognizes the second-half all-stars. Some of the guys who are tearing it up enough to earn All-Star selections (I’m looking at you, Carlos) will plummet back to earth after the break, while guys who got off to slow starts may go on a tear but will have nothing to show for it.

by phatj on Jun 8, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree that a certain amount of consideration should be given to recent career achievement, otherwise making the ASG would just mean having a hot May or June.

That said, even if you pencil McCann in as your #1 in this case, Ruiz has still hit so much better than almost everyone else that he still deserves a spot. It’s not like there are a ton of great catchers in the NL even if you take a big-picture approach. There’s Russell Martin, but Chooch has been WAY better than Martin this year, not just a little bit.

by taco pal on Jun 8, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions

JRoll Deserving?

I say absolutely. Sound defense notwithstanding, it’s payback for not getting there his MVP season.

by PhillyPhantastico on Jun 10, 2009 9:02 AM EDT reply actions

If he was anywhere close to league average I’d be a homer and say yeah, send him, but the guy has been soooooooo bad this year.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Jun 10, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Too bad they don’t schedule the ASG in November so that an entire season of work is in the books. Vegas anyone?

by PhillyPhantastico on Jun 10, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions

This is interesting...

I hadn’t really considered Ruiz an all-star, but his numbers are pretty solid.

Here’s a comparison of the top NL Catchers this year.

I think McCann is clearly the best offensive catcher, but he never gets voted into the all-star game by the fans. Yadier has been leading the entire way, and with the game being played in STL, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start.

Certainly based on those numbers, though, Carlos Ruiz would be the obvious choice for back-up catcher on the all-star team.

"If I had a little humility, I would be perfect" - Ted Turner

by Little Lady on Jun 13, 2009 1:47 AM EDT reply actions