Phillies fans seem to have one of two points of view when it comes to Darin Ruf. One side believes that if given every day playing time, he has the chance to really become staple in the lineup that doesn't provide too much power much anymore. The other set of fans look at Ruf's stats over the years and assume that they won't improve even with every day playing time. If the Phillies want to give Ruf every day playing time, it looks like that chance will be in Triple-A.
Darin Ruf is not a lock to make #Phillies, said Amaro. He added sending Ruf to Triple-A to play every day is not ideal, but it's possible.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) March 30, 2015
Last week, I wrote a piece about this being the last chance for the Phillies to decide Ruf's role in the organization, and as we can see here, he may go yet another season without getting a chance to play every day.
With Ryne Sandberg having announced Ben Revere as the starting left fielder, the only spot on the team left for Ruf would be right field. Even then, when Domonic Brown returns, Ruf's playing time would reduce significantly, because for whatever reason, the Phillies will give Brown every chance to earn a spot on the team, but not Ruf. It's clear that until Ryan Howard is traded, Ruf's natural position of first base isn't really an option for him to obtain regular playing time. Should Ruf be given a chance in right to win the job from Brown? Defensively, Darin may have less speed, but Brown has shown time after time that he lacks the ability to track balls well and make a big play, while Ruf has been chomping at the bit to gain more and more experience in the outfield. Unfortunately, the Phillies didn't like what they saw from Ruf in right over 29 games, so him overtaking Brown or anyone else for that matter seems very unlikely. Ruben Amaro tells Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com that Ruf is still fighting for a spot, though it doesn't seem like one that will get him in the lineup every day.
Darin Ruf is not a candidate for the rightfield job. Team officials closed that door after he played 29 games there in 2013. If Ruf sees outfield time, it will be in left field.
“I think he’s still battling for a job right now,” Amaro said of Ruf. “I see him as a right-handed bat off the bench, play some first base, maybe a little outfield. It’s up to Ryno (Sandberg) and his performance. First base is (Ruf’s) best position. He’ll get time there. Guys like Ryan (Howard) and Chase (Utley), we’re going to have to give them time off.”
Offensively, Ruf has shown potential to hit for some great power, but again, he hasn't been given the chance to show it regularly. In three seasons for the Phillies, spanning 137 games, Ruf is slashing .251/.339/.402. He's hit 20 home runs, has 48 RBI's and has walked 43 times while striking out 135. He got the most playing time filling in for Ryan Howard and platooning in left back in 2013. He launched 14 home runs and drove in 30 runs, hitting .247.
In 2012, Ruf hit 38 home runs with Reading, driving in 104 runs. Sure, injuries have played a part in his development, but he should have been given every opportunity in 2013 when the team had no chance of contending. Whether it had been in the outfield or for Ryan Howard, who was struggling at the time, it would have been smart to get him in there as much as possible. I feel like any other team would have done that if a guy was putting up those kind of numbers in the minor leagues.
Meanwhile, Domonic Brown has been living off of May 2013, the month of his career where he carried the Phillies offense on his back. He hit 12 homers that month. Since then? Well, a large regression happened. In 2013, Brown hit .272 with 27 home runs and 83 RBI's. Last season, he hit just .235 with 10 homers and 63 RBI's, striking out 91 times and holding an OBP of just .285. In five seasons, spanning 430 games, compared to Ruf's 137, Brown is slashing .248/.308/.412.
Though Ruf's sample size is smaller, the slugging and on-base numbers are in his advantage. Not only that, but Ruf has been very clear in saying that he is willing to take on any role to help the team, while Brown hasn't really been very vocal about where he feels comfortable at all. Ruf got less than a 30-game tryout in right, so I mean, do you lose anything giving him another chance two seasons later?
Beyond Ben Revere and Odubel Herrera, the Phillies outfield is an unknown. Sure, Ruf is in the mix, but who else makes the team? Brian Bogusevic? He's had a hot spring. Jeff Francoeur? He would provide a defensive advantage. Russ Canzler? He's right behind Bogusevic and Herrera in hitting this spring, sitting in 6th place. Jordan Danks? He's likely to make the team because he can play all three outfield spots. One name we haven't heard much of is Grady Sizemore. He's played in 14 games this spring, but is hitting just .147. Average aside, Ruben Amaro tells Meghan Montemurro of DEOnline that he's a lock at this point.
One position player who appears to be a lock to make the team is outfielder Grady Sizemore.
"For me he is," Amaro said. "But again, we're still looking through a lot of different things, a lot of scenarios."
In addition to the outfield situation, utility infielders need to be picked too. Cesar Hernandez has been the favorite, but he's hitting just .133 in Grapefruit League action with 10 strikeouts. Cord Phelps could be an option there. Phelps is 7th on the team in batting this spring, hitting .270 with a homer, double and five RBI's. He's shown plate discipline as well, walking nine times.
Obviously, this next week of spring training will be crucial for the Phillies as they select the guys who will form their 25-man roster.
