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Dodgers: Surprise September call-ups that could have an impact

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Keibert Ruiz #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the World Team leaves the game injured in the seventh inning against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Keibert Ruiz #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the World Team leaves the game injured in the seventh inning against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers /

C Keibert Ruiz

Right now, the Los Angeles Dodgers have just two catchers on the 40-man roster in Austin Barnes and Yasmani Grandal. However, the team can also use Kyle Farmer at catcher, who is included in the 40-man roster as an infielder.

Farmer has had some big walk-offs for the Dodgers in his brief MLB stints but is not a hugely consistent option at the plate. So while the Dodgers should still call Farmer up, the team could also make a huge offensive addition at catcher.

That addition is Keibert Ruiz, who is the Dodgers second-best prospect on MLB Pipeline and the third-best catching prospect in the league. Ruiz can certainly hold his own defensively while catching MLB pitching and has a bat that could serve as an upgrade from Grandal and Barnes.

Grandal typically goes ice cold in the last two months and is continuing that trend this season with a .175 batting average in the month of August. This is what led to Austin Barnes catching most of the postseason; however, this season, Barnes is struggling with a .198 average and .581 OPS.

Ruiz’ .263 average in double-A certainly is not the most impressive number but with his pure swing and mechanics, he could benefit from a chance at the big leagues.

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