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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/75b4397dadef5a3ce79464113909bf744030132b67c10b64994cf28f39fabd81.jpg)
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.