Ruiz has an exceptional ability to put his bat to the ball, with a whiff and strikeout rate that puts him among the top 1 percent of MLB hitters. The three biggest knocks on Ruiz heading into the season were his swing decisions, the quality of his contact and his inability to frame those sorts of called third strikes. His performances, like the recent victory, are crucial for the Nationals as they aim to build around his talent moving forward.
Manager Dave Martinez remarked, "For me with him, it's about just being consistent. He's got to learn from what he did today and focus on doing that tomorrow. ... We all know he's got unbelievable bat-to-ball skills. I think he thinks he could hit every ball hard, you know, but he needs to understand the strike zone a little better," highlighting the need for Ruiz to refine his approach at the plate.
"Feeling good, swinging at my pitches, not trying to do too much, that's got to be the next part for me," Ruiz said. "Keep that plan and keep being consistent." His recognition of the importance of self-awareness and strategy in his batting approach reflects a mature understanding of what is needed for continued growth and success in the league.
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