Ruf ready to compete for job with Phillies
What special things lie ahead for Darin Ruf remains to be seen. The Phillies need a right-handed power bat and he has proven he is a right-handed power hitter.
Ruf ready to compete for job with Phillies
NASHVILLE -- The Phillies are in search of outfield help at these winter meetings, but the guy who could possibly help them the most in 2013 is already on their 40-man roster.
That same guy was in attendance at the Opryland Hotel Monday to receive the Jim Bauman Trophy for leading the minor leagues in home runs with 38.
Add in the one home run Darin Ruf hit during the double-A Reading Phillies’ postseason series, the three he hit with the big-league Phillies and the 10 he hit during his 32-game stint in Venezuela and his home run total for 2012 reached an amazing 52.
It’s a number that even the 26-year-old Ruf still has some trouble comprehending.
“I never hit more than 17 in a year, so to get to 50, it’s special,” Ruf said after posing for some photographs with the Bauman trophy and his wife Libby.
The couple also celebrated their first wedding anniversary Monday.
What special things lie ahead for Ruf, a player who was barely a blip on the Phillies’ radar a year ago at this time, remains to be seen. The Phillies need a right-handed power bat and he has proven he is a right-handed power hitter.
With Ryan Howard at first base, the Phillies need Ruf to also prove he can play left field, which was the primary reason he went to Venezuela.
“It was a different experience,” Ruf said when asked about his first exposure to winter ball in South America. “It was really intense. It’s a really emotional game down there. They play maybe 60 or 70 games down there as opposed to 162 over here, so every pitch, every game, every win or loss is that much more important for them to make … the Caribbean Series, which is every team’s goal down there.”
Ruf’s goal for 2013 is clear: Win a job in the Phillies’ starting lineup.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is already on record as saying he believes Ruf can do an adequate job playing either corner outfield position, but he also said he would not hand the young slugger a starting job without it being earned in spring training.
Ruf said he feels more qualified to play left field after his trip to Venezuela.
“I hurt my foot the second game (in Venezuela) and DH’d and play some first base, but once that cleared up, I was out (in left field) almost every day, six days a week for four or five weeks,” Ruf said. “I feel a lot more comfortable in getting to balls I didn’t think I’d be able to get to and knowing maybe a little bit more what I can and can’t get to.
“The ones I was having trouble with initially were the ones that were hit within five feet of me in either direction. Those are the ones that are hit a little harder and are tough to judge. Early on, I’d try to read it right away rather than waiting for the ball to come to me. I think that’s where I learned a little more.”
Ruf said regardless of what Amaro does during this offseason, he will go to Clearwater for spring training believing he can win a job, thanks in part to advice he received from former teammate Juan Pierre.
“I think that has to be every player’s mindset and I’m definitely going to go into spring training trying to win a job,” Ruf said. “All playing through the minor leagues, I’ve played 140 or 150 games a year and I don’t want that to stop now. A lot of guys were saying at the end of the year were saying to me. Juan Pierre, I know he’s going to be with another team, but he was a big influence on me. He’d say, ‘You’re that guy. They’re going to have to fill holes next year and not only do you want to be that guy, but you can be.’ ”
How does one spread "Juan Pierre-itis?"— dwp66- Its about time! This kid did everything humanly possible to "earn a shot" unlike Dominic Brown. Ruf completely dominated AA pitching, did fine when called up and finally given a shot to play, was more than adequate in South America. Give the dude his due and let him earn his shot to play LF in CBP!— drhoffman
- Juan Pierre was a great worker and his ethic is something missing in all walks of life. If Ruf was influenced by him, phantastic. Instead of hiring another prima donna the team should plan on Ruf,Brown & Mayberry to start the year.— jjthree
- Gee, ya think? What a ringing endorsement he got from RAJ, unless stating he had a chance to make the team, was emblematic of his baseball acumen. As stated, what more does a player have to do to make the Phillies as a rookie, not some spent retread? He sat complacently without saying a word, while forced to wait to be called up, then to actually get into a meaningful game. Once there, he showed that even forced to play a foreign position, because we overpaid a prima donna who is great at spitting on his gloves, then flailing and bailing on a ball 10 feet wide in the dirt.
Plate discipline for Ryan Howard is the size of his meals.
Meanwhile, Ruf did everything except homer every time up. I guess his BA, on base percentage, slugging average were meaningless statistics. Great that someone thinks he should now get a chance. Good grief......— PhillyboyinNYC - Phillyboy, weren't you saying the same thing about Howard a few years ago,that he should get the opportunity to play? Now you're down on him and want to run out a rookie who had one good year and make him a superstar? And when he fails, are you going to talk about how much he eats or how come he can't hit anything, once pitchers learn about him. Folks like you are jokes. — mike l
- So what will they do if he's hitting better than Howard, or worse if Howard goes on some long slump, will Fur's natural position (first base) be open? Some how me thinks Charlie will have Ruf sit the bench.— meteo30
- Ruf deserves LF. Outside of the huge year in Reading, the thing that impressed me most about Ruf was how he looked at the plate when he got called up. A lot of guys put up minor league numbers and then struggle or are average up in the bigs but this kid LOOKS like he is ready to mash. When he played against quality right handed starters he showed a good eye and looked confident. I really believe he is a huge part of this teams future and I have been saying all off season that if the free agent market in CF does not make sense then play Mayberry there and go get Swisher in right. Ruf and one good free agent outfielder completely change this line up in my opinion.— philsfan in the atx
- I definitely believe he has earned the right to go out to LF and play.....Charlie should tell him the job is his to lose....— BigAfromBucks
- but...but...but... he's just a kid; he's not 39 yet, too soon for a chance in CHOLLIE'S world— DONDEN31
- At the rate the free agent signings are going, Ruf is a shoo-in for us in left field, plus Mayberry in center and Brown in right. Mayberry better channel Garry Maddox all next season because that is a bad defensive outfield right there, Brown's arm notwithstanding.— eman
- Just another great example of the professionalism of Juan Pierre...if the Phils have a need and can re-acquire him at the trade deadline that would be great. The man is a pro's pro. There is something about Ruf and his quick swing. Not only did he produce in the minors but he looked great in his MLB games and to rake 10 hrs in 32 games against that ML quality pitching in a foreign land under that high pressure is the clincher...this kid has it, IMO— Mark1npt
- Just another great example of the professionalism of Juan Pierre...if the Phils have a need and can re-acquire him at the trade deadline that would be great. The man is a pro's pro. There is something about Ruf and his quick swing. Not only did he produce in the minors but he looked great in his MLB games and to rake 10 hrs in 32 games against that ML quality pitching in a foreign land under that high pressure is the clincher...this kid has it, IMO— Mark1npt
- The job should not be handed to Ruf, it must be earned. Let's not get to ahead of ourselves with Ruf.— Philliefan75inAZ
