Dodgers News Round-Up: Corey Seager, Bellinger, Prospects

If you have been following the Dodgers closely over the last few years, paying attention to the minor leagues, in particular, you would have noticed one young prospect quickly slingshot his way through the system. The young catcher, Keibert Ruiz has worked his way from a 17-year-old in rookie ball to Double-A as a 19-year-old.

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Now, just 20 years of age, Ruiz finds himself with the big kids, with a locker in Camelback Ranch’s big league side and a spot amongst the major league top-100 prospect rankings.

Now if you followed the progression the next step should be Triple-A and based on his rate of advancement it would not be unreasonable to predict a 2019 debut for the oft-discussed Ruiz.

Not so fast.

Dave Roberts said on Tuesday morning that Ruiz would take a slower pace to the major leagues. He said the Dodgers are looking at the long term with Ruiz and a 2019 call-up is not likely.

With his counterpart, the 23-year-old catcher, Will Smith, a 2019 debut may not be so far fetched.

Roberts said that Smith could catch in the big leagues right now but needs some “offensive improvement” before that happens.

By the sound of things, I would not be surprised to see both Smith and Ruiz start the season at the same level they ended 2018 in. For Smith that is Triple-A and for Ruiz it is Double-A. Regardless, the safe pace for both of them is the way to go.