By Robert Masusock

AVG\OBP\OPS: .230\.300\.714
HR:12         RBI:39

For years fans have been clamoring for Darin Ruf to get a chance to become something. Then GM, Ruben Amaro Jr., seemed to have no faith in Ruf as he constantly played with his head moving him back and forth between the majors and the minors. Ruf continued to catch bad breaks as well, with injuries in the minors that further side tracked his opportunity at regular playing time with the Phillies.

This year Ruf had a solid amount of playing time accumulating 297 plate appearances in 106 games, 62 of which were starts at left field or first base. His production was nothing to look twice at but he displayed one strong tool, his ability to hit against lefties. Against right handers he had an abysmal .483 OPS. Against left handers however, he had an astronomical 1.107 OPS, take into account an OPS of .800 is about All-star level. This could give him a future, at least for now, with the Phillies as a platoon with Ryan Howard. Howard conversely had an .802 OPS against right handers and a .418 OPS against left handers. If Pete Mackanin wants to put out a respectable team and product for the fans he will surely platoon the two. If the respect for Howard supercedes the clear logical move Mackanin should not be back in Philadelphia as manager for the 2017 season.

Ruf had an extraordinarily average season overall with the exception of his play to end the season. Through September and into October, an injury to Ryan Howard gave Ruf a shot at some extended playing time. Ruf seized the opportunity by hitting 6 home runs with a .481 slugging percentage, in 93 plate appearances. This was probably enough of a power display to at least warrant giving him a shot to split time at first with Ryan Howard. Quite frankly though, with Howards bat against left handed pitchers it can’t be any worse to give Ruf that playing time.

His most glaring weakness is his propensity for strikeouts as he totaled 69 strikeouts in his 297 play appearances. Meaning he struck out in about 23 percent of his plate appearances. That coupled with only 21 walks, a mediocre .300 OBP, and a staggeringly low walk rate of only about 7 percent, indicate a tremendous lack of plate discipline.

You never know what can happen although Ruf is no spring chicken he is still just 29 and it is still possible to see a player bloom this late into their career. Bat flip champion Jose Bautista showcased similar mediocrity until his age 29 season in 2010 when he hit 54 home runs and has remained one of the leagues most feared hitters. Philly villain Jayson Werth is yet another example of a late bloomer who took until age 29 to put it all together and be an invaluable member of the beloved 2008 Phillies. Werth, like Ruf, struggled most against right handed pitchers but had success against left handers. This does not in any way, shape, or form mean that Ruf can be like those players but it shows there is still time for him to be an above average major leaguer who could contribute to a playoff team.

Ruf showed signs throughout the season but time is running out for him entering his age 29 season this March. The power potential is definitely there and he’s shown it over his samplings with the Phils over the last few years. The issue is consistency and developing his hitting against righties if he ever wants to be an everyday major league player in Philadelphia or elsewhere. I don’t expect much from him outside a platoon with The Big Piece.

***All stats and player information courtesy BaseballReference.com

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