The Nationals are heading into Spring Training with more questions than answers, and few positions are locked down. While the pitching staff and first base situation will draw plenty of attention, the most compelling battle might be behind the plate. Washington’s catching situation is undergoing a quiet transformation - and it could define the early stages of the team’s rebuild.
Keibert Ruiz vs. Harry Ford: The Catcher Clash
Keibert Ruiz has been the Nationals’ primary catcher since 2022 and is signed through the 2030 season. But let’s be honest - the last two years haven’t gone the way anyone hoped.
Ruiz’s bat, once considered his calling card, has gone cold. Since the start of the 2024 season, he’s posted a combined OPS of just .610.
For a bat-first catcher, that’s a glaring issue.
Enter Harry Ford, one of baseball’s top catching prospects and the centerpiece of a recent trade that marked Paul Toboni’s first major move as the Nationals’ new decision-maker. The message was clear: the Nats are looking to shake things up behind the plate.
Toboni didn’t mince words when speaking to fans - he called the trade a unique opportunity, one that only came about because Seattle already had an elite catcher in Cal Raleigh. That kind of transparency, paired with Ford’s arrival, signals a shift. While Toboni has publicly backed Ruiz, the front office’s actions suggest they’re betting big on Ford.
Ford Has the Tools - But He’ll Have to Earn It
Make no mistake, though - this isn’t a coronation. Ford may be the future, but he’s not being handed the job.
He’s made his big-league debut, yes, but he hasn’t logged enough time to be considered a lock. Ruiz is still under contract, and the organization has a financial stake in his success.
Meanwhile, Ford is the front office’s guy - a player they went out and got.
That sets the stage for a genuine competition this spring. Ruiz is fighting to hold onto the starting role, and Ford is trying to prove he’s ready to take it.
And don’t forget Drew Millas, who’s quietly been a strong defender and solid contributor in limited chances. The catching depth is deeper than it’s been in years, and that’s no small thing for a team trying to build a new identity.
The World Baseball Classic Twist
Here’s where things get interesting: Harry Ford will be playing for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic. It’s a proud moment for the 23-year-old, whose parents are British, but it could complicate his push for the starting job.
Ford will be away from camp for at least a week - possibly longer if Great Britain advances out of a group that includes the U.S., Brazil, Italy, and Mexico. With Jazz Chisholm also on the roster, there’s a real shot they make some noise. But for Ford, every day away from West Palm Beach is a missed opportunity to make his case.
That opens the door for Ruiz - and even Millas - to get extra reps in front of the new coaching staff. Spring Training is about impressions, and with a new regime in town, those early looks matter.
A Glimpse at Ford’s Ceiling
Still, it’s hard to ignore Ford’s trajectory. He slashed .283/.868 at Triple-A last season, showing advanced plate discipline and power.
If not for being blocked in Seattle, he might already have a full MLB season under his belt. The Nationals, with their youth movement and tempered expectations, are the perfect environment for him to grow.
Unless he completely stumbles this spring, Ford looks like the favorite to break camp as the team’s starting catcher. But don’t expect him to carry the kind of workload Ruiz did under former manager Davey Martinez. The new front office is likely to take a more balanced approach.
A 60/40 split - Ford getting the majority of starts with Ruiz still seeing meaningful time - feels like a realistic outcome. That kind of timeshare could benefit both players. It gives Ford room to adjust to the majors without being overworked, and it gives Ruiz a chance to reset and potentially rediscover the form that once made him a top prospect.
Depth That Matters
Behind the top two, the Nationals still have options. Millas hasn’t had a long look, but he’s flashed the best glove in the group. Riley Adams, despite being DFA’d, remains in the organization and brings big-league experience and intriguing power potential that hasn’t quite clicked yet.
In short, this catching group is deeper, younger, and more dynamic than it’s been in recent memory. Last year’s production from the position was rough - and Toboni’s first move as GM was a clear response to that. He didn’t just patch the hole; he brought in a high-upside talent who could be a foundational piece.
Looking Ahead
Developing catchers is a tricky business. It’s not just about hitting or defense - it’s about managing pitchers, calling games, and handling the grind of the position. The Nationals haven’t exactly been known for turning out elite backstops, but there’s hope that this new front office can change that.
If things go according to plan, Ford will be the guy - but he won’t be alone. Ruiz still has a chance to contribute, and the competition should bring out the best in both. For the first time in a while, the Nationals’ catching situation feels like a strength in the making, not a liability.
And for a team in transition, that’s a pretty good place to start.