Skip to main content

Phils' Circumstances Could Benefit Ruf

He leads the Double-A Eastern League in home runs (23) and OPS (.961), ranks second in RBI (72) and is seventh in batting average (.306), but Reading Phillies first baseman Darin Ruf has done all of this without much consideration as a real contender to join the Phillies' major league roster.

A 20th round draft selection in 2009 out of Creighton University, Ruf signed quickly with the Phillies and made an immediate impact, posting a .307/.383/.472 line in 57 combined games with the Gulf Coast League Phillies and the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters. He followed that up with a .290/.363/.451 campaign at two levels with Class A Lakewood and Class A Advanced Clearwater in 2010. Last year, Ruf batted .308 with 17 HR and 82 RBI in 133 games while spending the whole season with Clearwater.

Increasingly productive numbers aside, the 6-foot-4-inch 230-pound Ruf has never been considered among the Phillies’ top ranked prospects. Without regard for what others think of him, the 26-year-old has begun to transform himself from a virtual afterthought into an individual that fans have begun to clamor for, as sports radio callers and social networking enthusiasts have been singing his praises of late.

The five-time defending National League East division champions could have a silver lining-like luxury being in last place, 18 games behind division leading Washington. With the Phillies clearly out of contention for a playoff berth, the organization might have the unusual flexibility that would be necessary to allow an up-and-comer like Ruf to get a shot at the big league level. In recent years, the club has mainly used September call-ups in limited roles, but a lackluster 2012 could present an opportunity to expand on that a bit and allow Ruf, who has played some left field for the R-Phils this season, to display how his talents might translate at the highest level of the game.

Ruf, who typically says he only focuses on his own game and not on things that aren’t under his control, such as his place in the system and which roster he is a part of, opened up regarding the possibility of a call up, once the big league rosters expand in September, acknowledging the Phils' obsequious status in the process.

"It crosses my mind a little bit. The Phillies are in a little bit of a different situation than they have been in other years I've been in the organization. But, you know, if that opportunity presents itself, I would absolutely jump at the opportunity and take advantage of any chance I might get”, Ruf candidly told PhoulBallz.com this week.

Although, the right-handed slugger reverts to a reserved state of mind while looking forward to potentially playing winter ball and getting an opportunity with the Phillies next year in spring training, he has also confidently expressed his desire to move upward in a more expeditious manner.

"I'd like to think that I can compete and carry myself where ever I go," Ruf stated. "It's all a game of adjustments and even this year I've had to adjust throughout the course of the year. As long as I keep learning and adapting my game, I think I can compete at any level."

With the ability to acclimate his approach as well as some added versatility after having played a dozen games in the outfield this year, Ruf may be knocking on the door to the big leagues. Whether or not the Phillies change their usual mindset and invite him in remains to be seen.

_____________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular

World Series Preview: Phillies vs. Astros

The Fall Classic is set to get underway on Friday with the Phillies opening on the road to take on the Astros in a best-of-seven series. This year marks 75 years since the first time a World Series was televised and this year each game will be broadcast on the FOX television network.  ESPN will have the radio broadcast and that feed can be streamed by using this link . Game 1 Friday, 8:03pm Eastern....in Houston.  RHP Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA).  In 16 road starts during the regular season this year, Nola notched a 5-9 record with a 3.00 ERA.  Nola has struck out 18 and walked three in 17 1/3 innings pitched this postseason.  Earlier this month, Nola tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Houston.  In 15 home starts during the regular season, Verlander sported a 10-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.  Verlander has a 5.68 ERA and has not recorded a win in seven career World Series starts.  Verlander has 11 starts allowing one run or fewer in

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Ben Brown talks TJ recovery, O'Hoppe, cancelled season

Image- MiLB.com Out of action since last May when it was determined he required Tommy John surgery, righty pitching prospect Ben Brown is using the downtime of the pandemic hiatus to continue his physical recovery.  A 33rd round draft selection of the Phillies back in 2017, Brown made his professional debut that same year, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 10 appearances in the rookie level Gulf Coast League.  The following season, Brown began to make a name for himself in the GCL, striking out 16 batters in one July appearance.  He would post a 3.12 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 10 games (eight starts) before earning a promotion and finishing the season with a pair of outings with Class A short-season Williamsport. Brown, a Long Island, NY native, opened last year with Class A Lakewood.  In four appearances with the BlueClaws, he struck out 20, walked four and allowed no runs in 13 2/3 innings and looked well on his way to making an impact on betting odds and available promo codes