EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Ready or not here comes Randy Ruiz

Published on June 23, 2005 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


By Tony Zonca

Randy Ruiz has spent most of his time in the minor leagues playing a curious game of hide-and-seek: He was the one doing the hiding, and for six years nobody bothered to find him.

Heck, the way his career has gone, it appears nobody was even looking. Even the Philadelphia organization, which signed the six-year minor league free agent in May of 2004, relegated him to low Class A ball at Lakewood.

In 110 games, and at the age of 26, Ruiz batted .288 with 17 homers and a club-record 91 RBIs.

Those numbers earned him a huge promotion - to Double-A. Finally.

Gaudy numbers and Ruiz have been pals since that first day he walked onto the field in 1999 as a free-agent signee with the Cincinnati Reds out of little Bellevue University in Nebraska.

For example, he won the rookie Pioneer League batting title for Billings with a .381 average in 2000. The next year he slugged 20 home runs with 92 RBIs for Dayton of the Class A Midwest League, where he became an all-star a second straight year.

So what happens? He finishes the 2002 season with Dayton, puts up decent numbers despite a nasty wrist injury, and is released at the end of the season.

It's nice to see that the Reds are so talent-laden, isn't it? Who was their farm director, Simon Cowell?

Ruiz began the 2003 season with the Baltimore organization and was assigned to - you guessed it! - Class A Frederick. After 17 games he was demoted to low Class A Delmarva, where in 67 games he batted .310 with 11 homers and 51 RBIs.

What was it about this guy that nobody seemed to like? Well, he began his career late, and he wasn't drafted, which is always a test. And then you've heard the expression he was one of those guys who "slipped through the cracks." Heck, Ruiz is 6-3 and a conservative 230 - that crack would have to be the size of the Grand Canyon.

You've also heard the baseball expression that "if he can hit, somebody will find a spot for him." Not true in Ruiz's case. Until this year, that is.

And now, a little more than halfway through the Eastern League season, Ruiz is leading the league in batting at .364, is second with 16 home runs, and first in RBIs with 52. He also leads with a slugging percentage of .671.

"I have no idea why I never got out of A-ball," he said. "But I'm not worrying about what happened in the past. I'm just going on what's happened this year, and I thank the Phillies for giving me the opportunity.

"I'm happy I'm having a great season. It's turned out well so far, but it's not how you start; it's how you finish. We're losing too many games here, and my main concern is producing for the team and winning ballgames."

Ruiz is one of the hardest workers on the club. He shows up early each day and takes ground balls at first base with manager Steve Swisher; he works on his outfield play with coach John Morris; and he never tires of taking extra hitting. You might also have noticed he runs out every ground ball, and for a big man, he's no base clogger.

In his fourth game in a Reading uniform he doubled, homered twice and knocked in five runs against the New Britain Rock Cats. The next day - Shazam! -- he did the same thing and added an RBI.

People began paying attention. And the question became: Do we put the name Randy Ruiz next to Michael Bourn and Chris Roberson as Phillies prospects?

"I just go out there and do my job," Ruiz said. "I don't consider myself a prospect; I just consider myself a player who tries to help his team out and win games, be successful and move on in life. I'm not upset that I'm not a prospect. I'm just here to do my job and have fun with the guys."

Morris, among others, has been impressed.

"I think he's definitely a prospect," he said. "Some people get it later in this game. I don't think it's too late for this guy. He's a big man, but he's got a young body. He's not worn himself out.

"He's a very inquisitive young man and he asks a lot of questions. He's got a burning desire to get better. He asks a lot of questions about hitting and situations and what to look for. I'm really rooting for Randy, and it's really been a lot of fun to watch him play this year."

Much of his career Ruiz has been a designated hitter, which might have limited him. He's worked hard this year to become an adequate first baseman, and he still has a ways to go in left field. He knows that, which is why he has become a student of the game, cramming for what he hopes will be an entrance exam to the big leagues.

"Believe it or not, I just started working so hard," he admitted. "I just feel like I'm getting older now, and I just want to get everything corrected, because it's never too late. I'm just going out there and doing everything I can to get better."

Last season he even paid his way to the Florida Instructional League on his way to winter ball. He studied under Don Long, the Phillies roving batting instructor, and the results have been obvious.

Ruiz arrived late this season after serving a 15-day suspension for failing a MLB drug test last season at Lakewood. He adamantly denied using steroids, called the infraction an "over-the-counter" deal, and now won't even so much as purchase breath mints from the local drug store.

"It was hard on me, people saying I was taking steroids, but it wasn't true," he said.

About his chances of making it to the big leagues, Ruiz said: "I never look that far ahead. I just take it day by day, because you don't want to stress yourself out. There were years when I played, I said, ‘I had a great season, now I get to go to Double-A,' and the next year I'm still back in A-ball. So now I just take it day by day, and whatever happens, happens.

"I can be ready for the major leagues, but I'm not ready yet, because there are still some things I need to work on. I'm not perfect. I'm not ready, ready, ready. When the Phillies think I'm ready, then I'll go."

Morris can only guess why Ruiz has progressed so slowly as a professional ballplayer. He talked about "labels" and maturity and ability growth.

"First impressions mean everything in this game," said Morris, who played seven years in the big leagues. "He's a wonderful young man, very personable and engaging. He's like a big Teddy Bear. He's a very likable guy, and I wouldn't bet against him. With the power he has and the ability to hit the ball all over the field, I wouldn't put it past him that he will wind up in the big leagues some day."

And then Randy Ruiz will be playing a much different kids' game: Go to the Head of the Class.

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Eastern League Stories from June 23, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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