Carlos Ruiz (baseball)

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This article is about the baseball player. For the football (soccer) player, see Carlos Ruíz.

**Carlos Ruiz**

Philadelphia Phillies — No. 51
Catcher
Born: January 22, 1979 (1979-01-22) (age 29)
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
May 6, 2006 for the Philadelphia Phillies
Selected MLB statistics (through 2007)
Batting Average	.260
Home Runs	9
Runs Batted In	64
Teams
Philadelphia Phillies (2006-present)

Carlos Joaquin Ruiz (born January 22, 1979 in David, Panama) is the starting catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Also known by the nickname "Chooch" (for his disruptive bickering with skipper Charlie Manuel), he has been on the Phillies' 25-man active roster since the start of the 2007 season. The Phillies signed Rod Barajas before the 2007 season because they had some concerns about Ruiz' ability to catch, hit, and generally hold up over a full season at the major-league level; however, those concerns were dispelled. Barajas' injury left an opening for current backup Chris Coste on the Phillies' roster, but Ruiz played 115 games in 2007 and projects to play even more in 2008.

In 2004, Carlos spent his entire season with the Reading Phillies (AA), where his 17 home runs were second among catchers in the Eastern League. He also had a season-best 10-game hitting streak in July and hit .343 (23-67) over his final 17 games. He played in the developmental Arizona Fall League as well.

In 2005, Ruiz batted .300 in 100 games (347 AB) with 25 doubles, 30 walks, and 4 home runs. In 2006 before his callup, Ruiz was batting .385 with an on-base percentage of .448, including 5 doubles and 6 home runs in 91 at-bats. He also participated in the 2006 inaugural World Baseball Classic, playing for Panama.

In 2007, Ruiz hit six home runs and compiled a .259 batting average. He had one of the highest fielding percentages in baseball among catchers with a .997, with only 2 errors in 744 chances. On June 26, 2007, Ruiz stole home on the front end of a double steal in an 11-4 home win over the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the first Phillie to steal home in 10 years and the first Phillies catcher to steal home in 25 years.

Ruiz was selected to the 2007 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team. The selection was the result of the 49th annual Topps balloting of Major League managers.^[1]