The Clan of the KayBear

One of my all-time favorite books is Jean Auel’s “Clan of the Cave Bear.” After Keibert Ruiz hit a home run in his first MLB at bat, I thought it only appropriate to call this blog the Clan of the Kaybear. By the way, if you have never read that book and the “Earth Children” series, I strongly recommend it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGK50ulSar8

First of all, while everyone was in love with Will Smith, I have been singing the praises of Keibert Ruiz for three years. I have felt that he was the Dodgers catcher of the future. He is 22 years old (3 years younger than Smith) and while I like Smith a lot, I believe Keibert has some very special skills.

What I did not expect was to see him hit a home run in his first MLB at-bat… but maybe that tells you something about him. In 1,580 minor league at-bats, Keibert has hit exactly 29 home runs. I do not consider him a home run hitter. However, the Dodger Brass has been working with him on his swing and launch angle so that he might be better prepared to hit some more dingers. Is this the payoff? I have no clue!

What Keibert Ruiz has is incredible “bat-to-ball skills.” In 5 minor league seasons, he has a .299 BA with a .351 OB%. However, the most telling stat is that he has struck out just 150 times in 1,580 at-bats. That’s below 10%… that’s below what Alex Verdugo accomplished.

He was in AA ball at age 19. In 2019 at the age of 21, he had the worst offensive year of his short career as the Dodgers tried to “change his swing.” By the way, he is a switch-hitter, but shows much more pop as a lefty hitter, with just two of his 29 homers in his first five pro seasons coming as a right-handed batter. He has solid raw power but likely won’t fully tap into it until he becomes more selective hunting pitches he can drive.

He is young but has the tools to be a very good backstop, however like many “kids” he needs to keep his head in the game. He is very athletic and has what are called “soft hands” to go with above-average arm strength. I think he is a player who will “play up” to his level. I am extremely high on him and have been for three years. Yesterday was his “dream come true.”

One game does not make a career, but he looked fine behind the plate – no passed balls or wild pitches, but you really don’t expect that with him. He’s very good at blocking pitches in the dirt. Will Smith has a better arm, but Ruiz may ultimately be a better thrower, due to his quick release. That is the area where he needs to grow the most. As you will see, he is a very smart and coachable young man who has the drive to be a very good big league catcher. I can certainly see a L-R platoon with Barnes or Smith.

The Rest of the Story

Five years ago, Travis Barbary (the Dodgers catching coordinator) took Keibert under his wing and Ruiz moved in with Travis and his family in Greenville, S.C. Ruiz was just 16 at the time and could not speak English. For five weeks that winter, Ruiz lived with Travis and his wife Raquel and their four children. Ruiz was tutored by a local woman in English twice a week. He worked out at Clemson University. He played soccer in the backyard and video games with Travis’ youngest son Cannon.

It was so well received that Ruiz returned the next January. Before last season, he again spent a few weeks with the Barbary clan. “It was an easy fit,” Travis said. “Really, it’s just more about getting them comfortable in their ability to communicate in English.” Ruiz, who finished last season in OKC, opted to stay in Arizona when spring training was shut down this year. Being on the 40-man roster allowed him to use the Dodgers’ spring training facilities at that time.

Ruiz used to be a little on the “pudgy” side but has now matured into a lean-mean catching machine. I look for big things from him in the future. Some fans feel that Will Smith is the Dodgers catcher of the future… I see Will Smith as the backup. Time will tell who is right. Here is his interview after the game (notice his English). I love this guy! He that “extra something!”

I think Kaybear has that little something extra, but he has impressed me with his work ethic and dedication to be the best he can be… whatever that happens to be. I am excited to see him progress.

The Next One…

On another note, the Dodgers have another catching prospect, Diego Cartaya, who is also a top MLB catching prospect. He is now 18 years old and when the pandemic shutdown baseball, he had nowhere to go. He was not on the Dodgers 40-man roster, so he could not use Camelback Ranch to work out.

Chase Barbary is the 23-year-old son of Travis Barbary and a catcher for the Dodgers. He pushed Cartaya to join the Barbary family in South Carolina. Now, the two are nearly inseparable. Travis Barbary has taken in another young catching prospect who has yet to play above the short-season Rookie ball, helping provide security in an uncertain time while building for the future.

In about three months, Cartaya immersed himself into his second home. He worked out nearly every day with Chase. He learned English. He learned from Travis… just like Kaybear! More importantly, Cartaya found a home base when he needed it most.

This is what makes the Dodgers the greatest organization in baseball. They care about their players and they show it!

Trades Anyone?

It was mentioned a couple of days ago that Gavin Lux could be trade bait at the deadline. I see two issues at play here:

1. Kike will most likely walk next year; and
2. This team has no holes – they don’t need anything (barring injury).

Salvador Perez was mentioned as a trade possibility but I cannot see AF giving up a top prospect for an aging catcher who has had an OB% below .300 for five consecutive seasons. He’s Austin Barnes with more power for $14 million a year. Besides, it takes time for a catcher to jell with his pitching staff. I think that would be a bad move. No thanks!

I do think Joc Pederson could be on the trade block. He’s becoming “replaceable.” He seems to have “given up.” Thanks Joc, but this time, you need to REALLY move on. If Ruiz keep it up, Barnes could be moved as well… especially if Smith is really healthy (we have no idea how bad his neck is).

Maybe AF should put in a call to Arte Moreno and say “Hey, you can still have Joc, Ross, and I’ll give you Austin Barnes… for Mike Trout.” Shut-up, Arte!

On Doc

Of course, Doc Haters want to pile-on because Doc left Rios in the game after he apparently hurt his hamstring. Doc is a”players manager” and that means that he trusts his players. Rios said he was OK, but he wasn’t. Rios will never do that again. Game, Set, and Match!

Roberts stuck with Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger and it is paying off. A player truly appreciates that his manager has confidence in him. Confidence breeds confidence and the Dodgers love Dave Roberts. He may not be the greatest game manager, but he might be the most loved and that means a lot! The Dodgers have the most wins in MLB – Lay off, Doc!

The Dodgers continue to have the best pitching in MLB and lead all of MLB in Runs Scored and Home Runs. The Yankees have the best winning percentage, but they score fewer runs and allow 1.75 more runs a game. Judge and Stanton are both on the DL and it appears to me that both of these freaks cannot stay healthy for any stretch of time.

Jeff Dominique – A Real Man!

Today marks a really bad day for Jeff and his family. Maybe some of you can know how it feels to lose a child – I can’t. Bear lost a grandchild. I cannot even imagine that. How horrific! How can you even go on? But life is for the living. Death is a part of life we hate to face, but we all do. I have lost a wife, both parents and grandparents, but never a child. How do you overcome that? I can only imagine. Jeff knows and he also knows because life goes on… he has other kids, his wife and grandchildren to think about.

LADT was a big part of my life for 20 years, which is why I offered to write this today… or any day for that matter. Jeff, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Miss Kris, but know you were the best father you could be and move on. The pain will never go away, but that’s the reminder we are all human. Godspeed!

My Theme Song

The book is coming soon… I promise! Very Soon!

Today’s Music

To all my LADT friends!