MLB State of the Position 2023: Every Team's 5-Year Plan at Catcher
J.T. Realmuto, Will Smith, Willson Contreras and Salvador Perez are established stars at catcher, while young up-and-comers Sean Murphy, Alejandro Kirk, Cal Raleigh and 2022 rookie standout Adley Rutschman are well on their way to solidifying a spot in that top tier.
However, some teams are better set up for current and future success at the position than others.
Here, we've broken down each team's present and future outlook at catcher, highlighting their current starter and top prospect, followed by a prediction for who will start for each of the next five seasons.
Included with each top prospect is his tier designation based on where he slotted in Bleacher Report's 2023 farm system rankings.
Think of it as the team's five-year plan at the position.
Catch up on previous State of the Position articles: First base, Second base, Shortstop, Third base
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
Present: Carson Kelly (Age: 28)
One of the key return pieces in the blockbuster deal that sent Paul Goldschmidt to the St. Louis Cardinals, Kelly has shown flashes offensively during his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but not enough to firmly establish himself as the guy behind the plate. He has two years of team control remaining before he reaches free agency for the first time.
Future: Gabriel Moreno (Tier N/A)
Moreno was the No. 7 prospect in baseball prior to the 2022 season, according to Baseball America, and while he has technically exhausted his prospect status because of time spent on the active roster, his MLB career is still in its infancy. The 23-year-old was the centerpiece of the deal that sent Daulton Varsho to the Toronto Blue Jays, and he will be given every opportunity to take over the starting job this year.
Five-Year Prediction: Kelly (2023), Moreno (2024-27)
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
Present: Sean Murphy (Age: 28)
Murphy posted a 120 OPS+ with 37 doubles, 18 home runs and 66 RBI last season while once again providing Gold Glove-caliber defense as one of the few bright spots on the Oakland Athletics. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in a three-team, nine-player deal in December and promptly signed a six-year, $73 million extension. Veteran Travis d'Arnaud is in the second season of a two-year, $16 million deal and has a club option for 2024.
Future: Drake Baldwin (Tier 3)
After hitting just five home runs in his first two seasons at Missouri State, Baldwin batted .341/.448/.647 with 19 home runs and 70 RBI in 60 games last spring to send his draft stock soaring. The Braves selected him in the third round of the 2022 draft, and while his arm is average, his receiving skills and leadership give him a great chance to stick behind the plate.
Five-Year Prediction: Murphy (2023-27)
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
Present: Adley Rutschman (Age: 25)
Rutschman might already be the best catcher in the American League, and he's poised to give J.T. Realmuto a run for the top spot at the position in the coming years. The No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft posted a 128 OPS+ with 49 extra-base hits in 113 games last season while becoming just the fifth rookie catcher in MLB history to post a 5-WAR season.
Future: Samuel Basallo (Tier 3)
The Baltimore Orioles gave Basallo a $1.3 million bonus during the 2021 international signing window, and with a 50-hit/55-power offensive profile and a terrific arm, he has the raw tools to emerge as a top-tier prospect in the coming years.
Five-Year Prediction: Rutschman (2023-27)
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Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
Present: Reese McGuire (Age: 28)
The Boston Red Sox traded Christian Vázquez at the deadline last year and did nothing to address catcher during the offseason outside signing Jorge Alfaro to a minor league deal. That leaves McGuire as the presumptive starter after he posted a 142 OPS+ in 108 plate appearances after he was acquired at the deadline. He features club control through the 2025 season.
Future: Nathan Hickey (Tier 3)
A fifth-round pick in the 2021 draft following a strong sophomore season at the University of Florida, Hickey posted a .936 OPS with 18 doubles, 16 home runs and 62 RBI in 75 games between Single-A and High-A in his first full professional season. He's a below-average defender, but his bat could carry him to the majors.
Five-Year Prediction: McGuire (2023-24), Hickey (2025-27)
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
Present: Tucker Barnhart (Age: 32)
The Chicago Cubs will roll out the veteran tandem of Barnhart and Yan Gomes for the 2023 season following the departure of three-time All-Star Willson Contreras. Barnhart signed a one-year, $3.25 million deal that includes a matching player option for 2024, while Gomes is entering the second season of a two-year, $13 million deal that features a club option for 2024.
Future: Miguel Amaya (Tier 3)
One of the top catching prospects in baseball a few years ago, Amaya has seen his stock take a hit after struggling at Double-A in 2021 and dealing with a variety of injuries, including Tommy John surgery. The 24-year-old could quickly regain his status as the catcher of the future with a strong 2023.
Five-Year Prediction: Barnhart (2023), Amaya (2024-27)
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
Present: Yasmani Grandal (Age: 34)
Grandal was one of the best catchers in baseball when he signed a four-year, $73 million deal with the Chicago White Sox prior to the 2020 season. After a productive first two years with the South Siders, he saw his number crater last season when he hit .202 with a 64 OPS+ and minus-1.4 WAR in 99 games. The two-time All-Star will earn $18.25 million in 2023 and could split time with backup Seby Zavala if he continues to struggle.
Future: Carlos Pérez (Tier 3)
A member of the White Sox organization since 2014, Pérez has moved slowly through the minor league ranks, but he enjoyed a breakout season at the plate in 2022. The 26-year-old hit .254/.316/.450 with 21 home runs and 76 RBI in 109 games at Triple-A, and he could make a play for the starting job next season after Grandal departs.
Five-Year Prediction: Grandal (2023), Pérez (2024-27)
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Present: Tyler Stephenson (Age: 26)
One of baseball's most promising young catchers, Stephenson hit .319/.372/.482 for a 130 OPS+ in 183 plate appearances during an injury-plagued 2022 campaign following a strong rookie season. With club control through the 2026 season, he will be a building block while the Cincinnati Reds reshape their roster in the coming years.
Future: Logan Tanner (Tier 3)
Arguably the top defensive catcher in the 2022 draft class, Tanner has a top-of-the-scale arm and is a no-doubt MLB backstop. His bat is more of a question mark, but he showed solid on-base skills while hitting .285/.387/.425 during his junior season at Mississippi State before he was taken in the second round.
Five-Year Prediction: Stephenson (2023-26), Tanner (2027)
Cleveland Guardians
8 of 30
Present: Mike Zunino (Age: 31)
Zunino enjoyed a career year in 2021, posting a 136 OPS+ with 33 home runs in a 3.8-WAR season, but injuries limited him to 36 games last year and he settled for a one-year, $6 million deal with the Cleveland Guardians in free agency. The veteran is working his way back from thoracic outlet surgery and could be a steal if he's healthy.
Future: Bo Naylor (Tier 1)
The No. 29 pick in the 2018 draft, Naylor took time to develop offensively, but his hit tool was always highly regarded. The 23-year-old batted .263/.392/.496 with 26 doubles, 21 home runs, 68 RBI and 20 steals in 118 games in the upper levels of the minors last year, and he'll push for the starting job as soon as his defensive game is deemed ready.
Five-Year Prediction: Zunino (2023), Naylor (2024-27)
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
Present: Elias Díaz (Age: 32)
Díaz slugged 18 home runs and tallied 2.2 WAR during the 2021 season, and the Colorado Rockies rewarded him with a three-year, $14.5 million extension. He hit just .228/.281/.368 with nine long balls and 0.4 WAR in 105 games last season, and he could split time with Brian Serven in 2023.
Future: Drew Romo (Tier 1)
One of the best defensive catching prospects in baseball, Romo is still developing offensively, and he was slowed by a hand injury last year. The 21-year-old has a chance to be the best homegrown catcher in Rockies history, and even if he never develops into more than an average offensive player, his Gold Glove potential will make him an everyday backstop.
Five-Year Prediction: Díaz (2023-24), Romo (2025-27)
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
Present: Eric Haase (Age: 30)
A late-bloomer who posted a 103 OPS+ with 22 home runs as a 28-year-old rookie with the Detroit Tigers in 2021, Haase will again see time behind the plate, in left field and at designated hitter during the upcoming season. Defensive-minded Jake Rogers is the front-runner for the backup job, and he could wind up seeing significant time behind the plate if he keeps swinging a hot bat.
Future: Dillon Dingler (Tier 2)
A rare athlete for a catcher, Dingler played center field during his freshman season at Ohio State and has the potential to develop into a terrific defensive catcher. He hit .238/.333/.419 with 22 doubles, 14 home runs and 58 RBI in 107 games at Double-A last season and will need to continue hitting to find his way into a starting role.
Five-Year Prediction: Haase (2023-24), Dingler (2025-27)
Houston Astros
11 of 30
Present: Martín Maldonado (Age: 36)
The Houston Astros have prioritized defense behind the plate in recent years, though Maldonado does have some pop as he slugged 15 home runs last year while hitting .186 with a 69 OPS+ in 113 games. The 2017 Gold Glove winner is in the second season of a two-year, $9 million deal, and retirement could be around the corner.
Future: Yainer Díaz, (Tier 1)
The Astros have two of baseball's top catching prospects in Díaz and Korey Lee, and that tandem is competing for the backup job this spring. Lee is the better defender with a rocket arm, but Díaz is the superior offensive player as he hit .306/.356/.542 with 25 home runs and 96 RBI in 105 games in the minors last year. They could split catching duties for the foreseeable future starting in 2024.
Five-Year Prediction: Maldonado (2023), Díaz (2024-27)
Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
Present: Salvador Perez (Age: 32)
A staple behind the plate for the Kansas City Royals for more than a decade, Pérez is already the greatest catcher in franchise history, and his 32.3 career WAR ranks in the top 10 all-time among Royals players. He signed a four-year, $82 million extension in March 2021 that includes a 2026 club option, which would take him through his age-36 season.
MJ Melendez was developed as a catcher, but he'll likely settle in as a corner outfielder and designated hitter.
Future: Carter Jensen (Tier 3)
Jensen tallied 24 doubles, 11 home runs and 50 RBI in 113 games as an 18-year-old at Single-A last season, and his power potential will be his ticket to the big leagues. It remains to be seen if he'll be able to stick behind the plate defensively, with first base the most likely alternative.
Five-Year Prediction: Pérez (2023-25), Jensen (2026-27)
Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
Present: Max Stassi (Age: 31)
Stassi posted a 111 OPS+ in 424 plate appearances during the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined, and the Los Angeles Angels signed him to a three-year, $17 million extension last March that includes a 2025 club option. He hit just .180 with a 62 OPS+ and minus-0.5 WAR in 102 games last season, so he'll be looking for a bounce-back year.
Future: Logan O'Hoppe (Tier 1)
The Angels found their catcher of the future at the trade deadline last year when they sent outfielder Brandon Marsh to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for O'Hoppe. The 23-year-old was a 23rd-round pick in the 2018 draft but quickly emerged as a top prospect in the Philadelphia system. He hit .283/.416/.544 with 26 home runs and 78 RBI in 104 games at Double-A last year before making his MLB debut in September.
Five-Year Prediction: O'Hoppe (2023-27)
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
Present: Will Smith (Age: 27)
One of the best offensive catchers in baseball, Smith has posted a 129 OPS+ while averaging 33 home runs and 104 RBI per 162 games since debuting for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2019 season. He posted a career-high 4.1 WAR last year and could be an extension candidate in the near future with free agency looming after the 2025 campaign.
Longtime backup Austin Barnes signed a two-year, $7 million extension in July.
Future: Diego Cartaya (Tier 1)
Cartaya checked in at No. 13 in B/R's preseason Top 100 prospect list, putting him second among catching prospects behind only New York Mets rising star Francisco Álvarez. The 21-year-old posted an .892 OPS with 22 doubles, 22 home runs and 72 RBI in 95 games between Single-A and High-A last year, and he should get his first taste of the upper minors in 2023.
Five-Year Prediction: Smith (2023-25), Cartaya (2026-27)
Miami Marlins
15 of 30
Present: Jacob Stallings (Age: 33)
The Miami Marlins sent a trio of prospects to the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to the 2022 season in exchange for Stallings, who was coming off a 3.0-WAR season and NL Gold Glove honors. He struggled in his first season in Miami, logging a 67 OPS+ at the plate and minus-0.7 WAR overall, and now he'll look to bounce back with two years of club control remaining.
Future: Joe Mack (Tier 3)
A well-rounded prep catching prospect who went No. 31 in the 2021 draft, Mack missed a significant chunk of the 2022 season with a hamstring injury. The 20-year-old has the potential to hit for average and power as he develops, and he posted an .806 OPS with four home runs in 72 plate appearances as one of the youngest players in the Arizona Fall League.
Five-Year Prediction: Stallings (2023-24), Mack (2025-27)
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
Present: William Contreras (Age: 25)
Looking to add some pop to the middle of the lineup, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired Contreras from Atlanta in a three-team deal during the offseason. The 2022 All-Star posted a 138 OPS+ with 20 home runs in 376 plate appearances last season while splitting his time between catcher and designated hitter, and he should be a significant offensive upgrade over Omar Narváez.
Future: Jeferson Quero (Tier 3)
Signed for just $200,000 in 2019, Quero turned heads in his full-season debut last year when he hit .286/.342/.439 with 22 doubles, 10 home runs and 57 RBI in 95 games between Single-A and High-A. The 20-year-old is a no-doubt catcher with a strong arm and solid receiving skills, and he could fly up prospect rankings with a strong follow-up season against higher-level competition.
Five-Year Prediction: Contreras (2023-27)
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
Present: Christian Vázquez (Age: 32)
The second-best catcher on the free-agent market this offseason behind Willson Contreras, Vázquez was pursued by multiple teams before settling on a three-year, $30 million deal with the Minnesota Twins. He will join defensive-minded Ryan Jeffers in what should be a solid platoon behind the dish.
Future: Ricardo Olivar (Tier 3)
Signed for just $20,000 in 2019, Olivar won Florida Complex League MVP honors last season by hitting .349/.442/.605 with 20 extra-base hits in 154 plate appearances. The 21-year-old saw time behind the plate and at all three outfield spots, and his first full season at the Single-A level will be a big one in determining his long-term prospect outlook.
Five-Year Prediction: Vázquez (2023-25), Free Agent (2026-27)
New York Mets
18 of 30
Present: Omar Narváez (Age: 31)
The New York Mets signed Narváez to a one-year, $8 million deal during the offseason that includes a club option for 2024, and he will be tasked with serving as a bridge to the team's top prospect while splitting time with incumbent backup Tomás Nido. The 2021 All-Star has a 100 OPS+ and 7.1 WAR across seven MLB seasons.
Future: Francisco Álvarez (Tier 1)
The top catching prospect in baseball and one of the elite prospects in the sport, Álvarez hit .260/.374/.511 with 22 doubles, 27 home runs and 78 RBI in 112 games in the upper levels of the minors before making his MLB debut in September. The 21-year-old still has work to do on defense and is likely headed to Triple-A to start the year as a result, but his 55-hit/70-power offensive profile is destined for stardom.
Five-Year Prediction: Narváez (2023), Alvarez (2024-27)
New York Yankees
19 of 30
Present: Jose Trevino (Age: 30)
The New York Yankees acquired Trevino in an under-the-radar deal for a pair of prospects less than a week before Opening Day last year, and they ended up with an All-Star catcher. He posted a modest 90 OPS+ with 12 doubles, 11 home runs and 43 RBI at the plate, but his biggest contributions came in the crouch as he won Gold Glove and Platinum Glove honors in a 2.3-WAR season. He is controllable through 2025.
Future: Austin Wells (Tier 1)
Wells will likely never be more than an average defender, but he has shown enough progress behind the plate to instill belief he can stick as an offensive-minded backstop. The 23-year-old hit .277/.385/.512 with 17 doubles, 20 home runs and 65 RBI in 92 games over three minor league levels last season, and he should start 2023 in the upper levels of the minors.
Five-Year Prediction: Trevino (2023-25), Wells (2026-27)
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
Present: Shea Langeliers (Age: 25)
The Oakland Athletics cleared a logjam behind the plate when they sent Sean Murphy to Atlanta during the offseason, and that should make Langeliers the starting catcher for the upcoming season. One of the prospect centerpieces of the Matt Olson blockbuster, he posted a 98 OPS+ with 17 extra-base hits in 153 plate appearances in his debut last season.
Future: Daniel Susac (Tier 2)
With Tyler Soderstrom shifting to playing primarily first base, the top catching prospect in the Oakland system is now Susac, who was chosen No. 19 in the 2022 draft. He hit .366/.430/.582 with 19 doubles, 12 home runs and 61 RBI as a draft-eligible sophomore at Arizona, and there is no question he should stick behind the plate.
Five-Year Prediction: Langeliers (2023-27)
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
Present: J.T. Realmuto (Age: 31)
Realmuto has three years remaining on his five-year, $115.5 million deal, and he is coming off the best season of his impressive career. The three-time All-Star finished seventh in NL MVP voting while posting a 129 OPS+ with 26 doubles, 22 home runs, 84 RBI, 21 steals and a career-high 6.5 WAR. It was just the second 20/20 season by a catcher in MLB history.
Future: Rickardo Perez (Tier 3)
The Phillies dealt top prospect Logan O'Hoppe at the trade deadline, leaving Perez as the top catching prospect in the system. The 19-year-old has a strong hit tool and the raw defensive tools to stick behind the plate, and the Phillies can give him plenty of time to develop with Realmuto under contract.
Five-Year Prediction: Realmuto (2023-25), Perez (2026-27)
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
Present: Austin Hedges (Age: 30)
Looking to add a veteran presence behind the plate to anchor their young pitching staff, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Hedges to a one-year, $5 million deal after the former top prospect spent three seasons in Cleveland. He can't hit, but he's a terrific defensive catcher and does a great job handling a pitching staff.
Future: Henry Davis (Tier 1)
The Pirates took Davis with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft after he hit .370/.483/.663 with 15 home runs and 48 RBI in 50 games during his junior year at Louisville. The 23-year-old reached Double-A last year and could make his MLB debut late in the 2023 season with an eye on claiming the starting job in 2024.
Five-Year Prediction: Hedges (2023), Davis (2024-27)
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
Present: Austin Nola (Age: 33)
One of the best contact hitters in baseball, Nola posted an 8.6 percent walk rate and a 15.1 percent strikeout rate last season, and he has a 106 OPS+ in parts of four major league seasons after making his debut at age 29. He'll split time behind the plate with former top prospect Luis Campusano in 2023.
Future: Ethan Salas (Tier N/A)
Salas was the No. 1 prospect in the 2023 international class, according to MLB.com, which gave him a 60-hit/50-power offensive profile and above-average defensive tool grades as well. The 16-year-old is years away from making an MLB impact, but a strong pro debut could quickly vault him onto leaguewide Top 100 prospect lists.
Five-Year Prediction: Nola (2023), Campusano (2024-27)
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
Present: Joey Bart (Age: 26)
The San Francisco Giants viewed Bart as the heir apparent to Buster Posey when they selected him No. 2 overall in the 2018 draft, and he put up impressive numbers throughout his time in the minors. That production hasn't translated to the big leagues yet as he batted .215/.296/.364 with 11 home runs and 25 RBI in 97 games last season, but the starting job is still his entering the 2023 season.
Future: Patrick Bailey (Tier 3)
Bailey has a high floor as a solid defensive catcher with strong game-calling and receiving skills, and he has hit .247/.355/.425 with 21 home runs and 90 RBI in 165 games since going No. 13 in the 2020 draft. The 23-year-old could be the one who pushes Bart for playing time if the latter continues to struggle.
Five-Year Prediction: Bart (2023-27)
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
Present: Cal Raleigh (Age: 26)
"Big Dumper" enjoyed a breakout 2022 season, leading all catchers with 27 home runs while posting a 122 OPS+ and 3.9 WAR over 119 games in his first full season in the majors. With team control through the 2027 season, he can be a building block for a Mariners squad on the rise.
Future: Harry Ford (Tier 1)
Ranked No. 78 on B/R's Top 100 prospect list for the 2023 season, Ford hit .274/.425/.439 with 23 doubles, 11 home runs, 65 RBI, 23 steals and 88 walks in 499 plate appearances at Single-A. He is a terrific athlete for a catcher and has 60-grade speed, and the Mariners could try him at some other positions if Raleigh is still blocking his path when he's MLB-ready.
Five-Year Prediction: Raleigh (2023-27)
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
Present: Willson Contreras (Age: 30)
The 2004 season is the last time someone other than Yadier Molina started behind the plate for the St. Louis Cardinals on Opening Day, and the front office made the position a priority this offseason when it inked Contreras to a five-year, $87.5 million deal. The three-time All-Star has been a 3-WAR player five times in his seven-year career and joins an already potent lineup.
Future: Ivan Herrera (Tier 2)
Herrera has spent the past two seasons playing in the upper levels of the minors, and he hit .268/.374/.396 with 10 doubles, six home runs and 34 RBI in 65 games at Triple-A last season. The 22-year-old will be given plenty of time to develop and should ultimately be one of the better backups in the league if he stays in St. Louis.
Five-Year Prediction: Contreras (2023-27)
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
Present: Christian Bethancourt (Age: 31)
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired Bethancourt in an under-the-radar deal with the Oakland Athletics last summer, and he posted a 101 OPS+ with 13 extra-base hits and 0.8 WAR in 44 games before starting behind the plate in both of the team's playoff games. He'll likely split time with former top prospect Francisco Mejía behind the dish for the next few seasons.
Future: Dominic Keegan (Tier 3)
Keegan hit .371/.458/.646 with 17 doubles, 14 home runs and 67 RBI in 62 games during his senior season at Vanderbilt before he was taken in the fourth round as one of the first senior signs off the board. With solid two-way skills, he could eventually develop into an MLB starter.
Five-Year Prediction: Bethancourt (2023-25), Keegan (2026-27)
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
Present: Jonah Heim (Age: 27)
Heim hit .262/.313/.467 with 12 home runs and 33 RBI during the first half last season, but he slumped badly after the break and batted just .181 with a .589 OPS over his final 58 games. Which version will show up in 2023? The Texas Rangers also have slugger Mitch Garver as an option behind the plate, though much of his playing time will come as designated hitter.
Future: Cody Freeman (Tier 3)
Plucked from the California prep ranks as a fourth-round pick in 2019, Freeman put together a solid 2022 campaign when he hit .234/.312/.366 with 10 doubles, 13 home runs and 71 RBI in 102 games at High-A Hickory. The organization saw enough in his performance to send him to the Arizona Fall League, and he'll be one to watch as he makes the jump to Double-A.
Five-Year Prediction: Heim (2023-26), Free Agent (2027)
Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
Present: Alejandro Kirk (Age: 24)
The Toronto Blue Jays had the best catching tandem in baseball last season. Kirk hit .285/.372/.415 with 19 doubles, 14 home runs, 63 RBI and 3.9 WAR in a breakout season, while backup Danny Jansen posted a 141 OPS+ with 15 home runs and 2.9 WAR in 72 games. Both players will also see action at designated hitter this year when they're not catching. Kirk is controllable through 2026, but could be an early extension candidate with another strong year.
Future: Luis Meza (Tier 3)
With Gabriel Moreno traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Daulton Varsho deal, the Blue Jays do not have a clear-cut catcher of the future. Meza, 18, signed for $2.05 million during the 2022 international signing period and has the raw tools to eventually develop into a quality prospect.
Five-Year Prediction: Kirk (2023-27)
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
Present: Keibert Ruiz (Age: 24)
The Washington Nationals acquired Ruiz in the blockbuster deal that sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2021 trade deadline. He hit .251/.313/.360 with 22 doubles, seven home runs, 36 RBI and 1.6 WAR in 112 games last year, and he looks like one of the few long-term pieces on the roster.
Future: Israel Pineda (Tier 3)
Pineda hit .258/.325/.458 with 20 doubles, 16 home runs and 71 RBI during a breakout 2022 season, reaching Triple-A at the end of the year. The 22-year-old has taken some time to develop since he was signed in 2016, but he could prove worth the wait if he can build off last year's performance.
Five-Year Prediction: Ruiz (2023-27)
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference. Prospect tool ratings via MLB.com.
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