REDEMPTION: Keibert Ruiz's Washington Nationals RESURGENCE Makes Me Believe He Could Be THE GUY!

Washington Nationals fans have new hope at catcher—can Keibert Ruiz sustain his breakout and anchor the team’s future? After a stellar 2026 campaign that saw Ruiz rebound offensively and improve defensively, questions swirl about his ceiling for 2027 and beyond. With Ruiz finishing top five among National League catchers in slugging and batting average, host Ryan Clary breaks down what fueled his resurgence and whether the Nationals can count on more growth. The episode explores Harry Ford’s surprising role shift, Drew Millas' defensive value, and top prospect Caleb Lomavita’s potential impact. Clary examines the fierce competition for innings behind the plate, the impact of coaching from Simon Matthews and the addition of the ABS challenge system, and how recent developments affect the Nationals’ long-term plans. Will this talented group finally solidify a position that’s been in flux? Get the latest insights as the Nationals’ catching future takes center stage.

00:00 Keibert Ruiz's 2026 Performance

05:55 Keibert Ruiz's performance and defense

08:10 Keibert Ruiz's defensive improvement

12:06 Keibert Ruiz's 2023 performance improvements

18:16 Nationals' catcher future discussion

24:56 Nationals catcher position speculation

Follow Ryan Clary on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ryanclary11

Follow Locked On Nationals on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LO_Nationals 

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