Charlie Manuel wants to see Darin Ruf. Will it happen in September?
If you can hit the ball really far, it will not take long for Charlie Manuel to notice. If you can hit the ball really far and with great frequency, Manuel will do more than notice. If you can do all of this while the Phillies flounder, Manuel will start thinking big things.
Charlie Manuel wants to see Darin Ruf. Will it happen in September?
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
If you can hit the ball really far, it will not take long for Charlie Manuel to notice. If you can hit the ball really far and with great frequency, Manuel will do more than notice. If you can do all of this while the Phillies flounder, Manuel will start thinking big things.
Such is the case with Darin Ruf, the 26-year-old slugging first baseman at double-A Reading. Manuel has watched recent video of Ruf's assault on the Eastern League.
The Phillies manager is interested.
"He's had an extraordinary year," Manuel said. "Ruf is someone who pops out at you. Ruf is trying to hit his way to the big leagues. That's what it used to be like. You had to do something to get to the big leagues. Evidently, Ruf is an old throwback."
Manuel said he wants to see Ruf, whether it be now or in spring training. He has yet to discuss the idea with his boss, Ruben Amaro Jr., but made it sound like he will stump for Ruf's candidacy. Rosters expand Saturday.
Ruf has swatted 36 home runs in 2012 with 18 in August alone. On Monday, he broke Greg Luzinski's 1970 mark for most total bases ever in a Reading season. His 36 home runs are more than any player in all of affiliated minor-league baseball.
Of course, the decision to promote Ruf is not Manuel's. Some scouts are skeptical whether Ruf has a true position in the majors. He is blocked at first base by Ryan Howard. He has played 33 career games in left field, with 23 of them coming in 2012.
His work there is limited and not pristine.
The Phillies plan for Ruf to play the outfield in winter ball. He will likely be added to the 40-man roster during the offseason if not summoned in September. That would guarantee a spring audition.
"He's on the radar screen," Amaro said Monday. "It really depends on whether he can get playing time. It is something we'll continue to talk about."
The Phillies are already committed to playing time for two corner outfielders in Domonic Brown and Nate Schierholtz while evaluating for next season. The only true center fielder on the roster is John Mayberry Jr. That could affect plans.
Manuel said playing Ruf in the outfield during a major-league game could be a risk. Then again, he's enamored with the power potential.
"If a guy can hit," Manuel said, "his defense gets a little bit better."
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Home runs are great they also cover up a lot of managerial mistakes. Manuel loves home runs because they cover up his many many mistakes. The Phils will never get back to where they have been the past 5 years with Manuel in the dugout. He caught a break by having the best players in all of baseball but even his most ardent supporters will admit the guy makes too many mistakes. So keep him in the dugout if you have guys who hit dingers each and every night. If that was the case my dog who is named Utley can manage. Get rid of Manuel now.— rtiannelli- Ruf n' ready
— Barneyboy - "His 36 home runs are more than any player in all of affiliated minor-league baseball."
Thats all you need to know. Unbelievable this guy hasnt been called up yet. The Orioles, Nationals, Braves, Angels, etc call up 20-22 Year olds, but the phils are afraid a 26 yr old is NOT READY. WHAT A JOKE GIVE THE GUY A SHOT ALREADY.
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO LOSE. Worried his arbitration clock will start soon? LOLOLOL the phils are AWASH in MONEY. That is a laughable excuse— astroqueen0 - Greg Luzinski and Darren Daulton played L for this team, I'm sure Ruf can handle it.— Scope33
- Saw Ruf on Sunday night in Reading. He misjudged two flyballs and totally missed another in leftfield. He might have a hot bat but he needs a ton of work in the outfield. Those screaming for him to be brought up haven't seen him play. He cannot play in a major league OF the way he has at Reading. Also, those expecting him Sept. 1 won't see him because Reading will make the Eastern League playoffs. Have seen him at 1B as well and not exactly a gold glover there either. Shame.— chescoguy
- I was a punt returner, and in the summer could shag flys all day, never tiring of it. So I find it unbelievable that a 26 year old man who has played baseball all his life can not track down fly balls. It amazes me with Brown, and it amazes me with Ruf. Do they just spend all their time in the batting cages?
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- Dude. Don't know what you were watching when and if you saw him play at first. Ruf was the Rawlings Gold Glove first baseman TWICE while at Creighton. That means he was voted the best fielding first baseman in the NATION twice while he was in college. What? Did he forget how to catch?
His manager of two years praises his defense. He has 4 errors at first this year. Compare that to Howards 54 in three seasons worth of games in the minors.
???— zubzub - The first poster nailed it big time. Charlie Manuel holds this team back in so many ways especially his game strategy...well his lack of strategy!— Phillip Phan
Comment removed.- Don't let Chawlie anywhere near Ruf.— wo_fat
- Can anyone say Matt Rizzoti, another Phillies slugging minor leaguer with no true position. He's so amazing that Oakland, in a league with the DH, still hasn't brought him up. Look, if a guy is 26 and still playing in AA, there's a reason. It's one thing to light up minor league pitchers, but it's a whole other thing to be able to hit in the majors. Ruff is a nice story and maybe he can surprise and be something, but the odds say otherwise.— Hemingway
- Yea, Rizzotti is tearing up AA Midland,where he's been for like 6 weeks, after wasting away at 2 levels in the Twins organization this season...The Phillies never took to his LONG swing, and he did not have the prolific power this guy has developed since he started to show it last season in Clearwater..Contrary to the Dan Helds,Randy Ruiz's,Andy Tracy's, and Tagg Bozied's...Ruf's swing is short,he has always hit for average (he's a 2009 draftee,holding it against him that he was 23 as a 5th year senior seems petty), and he's had a low whiff rate for such a slugging %...He has no more to prove in AA, (for 6 weeks now),but is the show in Reading, and at the least should've seen more experienced pithing in LV...His August has MORE than put him on the radar, it has broken it...His venezuela Winter League assignment will be the key, but in the meantime, give him the respect he deserves...Was Erik Kratz no good early this season as a 32 year old in AAA?...It's all about opportunities...Ruf has flown by several higher rated guys.. Let's hope he can pick up LF,or make a great PH, or a fine future trade chip. — bearsfriend
- I just hate it when people bring up Rizzotti. First of all, totally different hitter. Second, Rizzotti hit a wall at AAA. Ruf hasn't even been given a chance at AAA because he's blocked by Cody Overbeck. And there's all you need to know. — zubzub
- time to kick howard and his unclutch postseason stats to the curb and replace him with ruf. it wont happen though.. amaro is too afraid to move howard..— zwarte piet
- Phils should send a message to their minor leaguers that when you excel at your job, as Ruf has, you will get promoted. He is 26 not 19. If he can't play the outfield, trade him to an American League team in the off season for a decent prospect.— zeke128
