Darin Ruf broke Ryan Howard's Reading home run record with his 38th, he's driven in 103 runs, and he's second in the league in hitting at .319. For those of you who aren't following, he's a heartbeat from the triple crown with two games to go, if he can get past a .322 hitter. In other words, he's having one of the best AA seasons ever. Not bad for a guy who wasn't on the radar in spring training.
Reading has a one game lead with two to play for a playoff spot, and may in fact have post-season games ahead. It would be fair to say that Ruf, despite his season, is not the highest rated prospect on that team. Tommy Joseph, obtained in the Hunter Pence trade, is certainly higher rated. There are others too. Ruf, despite leading all of minor league ball in homers and RBI's, isn't even considered for the top 100 rankings by the "experts." To be fair, those experts didn't see Vance Worley as a major leaguer, so I understand why some people say they aren't worth dirt. They're not, but they aren't totally wrong either. They did get Mike Trout right, right?
All of this leads me to Darin Ruf's future. I've heard a lot of people say he should be added to the 40 man, and called up as soon as Reading's done. Why I ask them? They usually say to play left-field, a position he lacks experience in, and lacks time playing. If you want him to play left-field, doesn't it make more sense for him to go to Arizona or Winter Ball? I'm not against calling him up in a week or two, but let's be serious here, that should be as a bench bat that can spell Ryan Howard if he needs a day off.
And of course, all of this leads to 2013. The Phillies almost certainly will have Ryan Howard at first base for the next season. Despite being in a little funk right now, Dom Brown is likely to get another look as a starter in one of the corner-outfield slots in 2013. At least right now, Nate Schierholtz, who was obtained at the deadline, would probably be in a platoon in the other corner. Where does that leave Ruf? I'm going to guess he starts opening day in left field for the IronPigs. With a lack of real game time there, and the team now hoping his bat can make it in Philly, this is what makes the most sense.
I know this isn't what fans wanted to hear, especially since he's the best story in the system right now. I just think a realistic view is that Ruf will begin there. This is not the standard, anti-Ruf saber-nerd "he's getting lucky, and he's old for the level" line. I'm not bothered by his age or his numbers. There have been plenty of guys who broke in late- Raul Ibanez had no significant experience in the league pre-27, and had a nice career in the end. Ruf has a future still, I just don't think that future is on opening day of 2013.
