The Phillies offense has been anything but reliable this season. They can score runs in bunches then not score more than a run for two straight. They have a lackluster bench of supporting players that bring little to no offensive pop, with the exception of Wil Nieves. With the disappointing season of Domonic Brown and the continuing strikeout rates of Ryan Howard, there is no better time than now to get Darin Ruf into the field every day. There really isn't a feasible reason as to why he isn't in there every day, especially with the lack of production from the oufield other than Marlon Byrd.
After being called up last week when Cliff Lee went on the disabled list, Ruf was very realistic about the opportunity and how long he could spend with the big club (via NJ.com)
"I'm excited to be back, excited to help any way I can," said Ruf. "(I want to show) that I can be consistent, what I've done over last year and the year before, they can count on me if they need me. I'm healthy and ready to get back out there.
"I'm looking forward to taking it from here. I could play well and stay up here and play well and not stay here. There's a lot of different circumstances that dictate your career and your career path and what happens. Everybody deals with adversity throughout a long career, short career. Those that can overcome it and face it the right way and hopefully I have so far. … I'm looking forward to the challenge, whatever it may be."
Darin Ruf by no means is the Phillies savior. That being said, he could finally bring some much needed balance to a lefty-heavy lineup that has proven they cannot produce on a consistent basis. Let's first look at the options of where to put Ruf. His natural position is first base. Ryan Howard is signed through 2016 as a part of his five-year, $125 deal that has been a clear disappointment even with the injuries. Howard is hitting .212 against lefties this year, so there should be plenty of consideration to insert Ruf in the lineup against south-paws, which will happen tonight against Colorado. I understand the amount of money Howard makes and how sitting him makes little sense, but the Phillies shouldn't be thinking in that mindset. They need to put the best chance at winning lineup out there, not the one that makes the most financial sense.
An outfield spot for Ruf seems most likely, especially with Domonic Brown having an awful season. You have to wonder if Brown's career successes are being judged just off of his performance last May, because he hasn't really done much since then. This season, he is hitting an abysmal .206 to go along with an equally depressing .261 OBP and .306 SLG. Ruf should get a regular look, as he has shown that he is more than capable of playing in the outfield. Last year, in 47 games played in the outfield, Ruf posted a 1.000 fielding percentage over 367.1 innings. That included four outfield assists as well.
He may turn heads all over the league, but a guy who provides pop at the plate should be given a look at any chance possible, even if it is a slight decrease in defensive ability. It just doesn't make much sense for the 27-year old, who will be 28 in July, to sit on the bench and play second fiddle to players who aren't performing regularly.
While a starting spot would be something most would want to see, Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg states in the previously mentioned NJ.com article, that Ruf provides plenty of value off of the bench as well.
"He can be right-handed pop off the bench late in the game, a spot start in left field or first base against a tough lefty," said manager Ryne Sandberg when asked what role Ruf would play if he stayed. "That was kind of our overall thought or view of him before he got hurt. He's looked very good in batting practice, he stung the ball his one pinch-hit at-bat. He's worked on the mental side of hitting off the bench. I'm anxious to see where he's at in a full game.
"We've had some hits off the bench. But a guy that could pop one and drive one out of the ballpark is a whole other component."
Whether we see Ruf begin to become a regular in the lineup remains to be seen, but you can't tell me there isn't room to keep him here moving forward, especially with a bench full of scrubs, excluding Wil Nieves, who is hitting .289 this season. Ruf may have only hit .247 in limited action last season, but he showed he has the power of a big league hitter with 14 home runs in 73 games. John Mayberry (.220) and Tony Gwynn Jr. (.191) may provide defensive ability off the bench, but their offensive numbers leave plenty to be desired. Mayberry has shown he can be a good option against righties and has recently broken out of a 1-for-23 slump. He has been 5-for-8 since then.
Ruf gets the start tonight against the Rockies lefty, Jorge De La Rosa. This could be the first of many in which we see him in the lineup regularly…I hope.
Brandon Apter is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ApterShock
