"The Washington Nationals have a catcher who's built his reputation as a potential Hall of Famer in part because he's one of the best there is at gunning out runners.

Over the course of his 21-year career, Ivan Rodriguez has thrown out an average of 46 percent of attempted base stealers — a track record that includes nine times as the league leader in that category. In 2001 with Texas, he caught 60 percent of runners.

And while Rodriguez's arm continues to be a marvel as he approaches age 40, the Nationals have another catcher who's bringing back memories of Rodriguez in his prime — Wilson Ramos.

"I think he's a stud," shortstop Ian Desmond said Tuesday before the Nationals' game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

"He's got a great arm, and he's got a great technique back there," said Desmond, who's on the receiving end of a lot of those throws. "I asked him the other day who his favorite players were growing up and who he wanted to be like, and he said Pudge, which is obvious. They have a lot of the same characteristics, and they kind of both have the same fire. As far as throwing guys out, he's going to end up being probably one of the best if he keeps doing what he's doing."

Ramos has caught eight of 18 would-be base stealers this season, a 44 percent rate that ranks second in the majors among regular catchers behind only the 45 percent posted by Baltimore's Matt Wieters. Rodriguez and Ramos have combined to tie with Oakland for the best mark in the majors as a team (42 percent).

Even Monday, when Ramos attempted to throw out Chase Utley in the fifth inning and was unsuccessful, it wasn't because of his throw. It was on target and in time, but infielder Alex Cora wasn't able to corral it."