Categories: News

Darin Ruf signs minor-league deal with Giants

15 April 2016: Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Darin Ruf gets ready to bat during the MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

Former Philadelphia Phillies first baseman/outfielder Darin Ruf is coming back to the United States, at least for Spring Training.

Ruf, who has spent the past three seasons playing for the Samsung Lions in the Korean Baseball Organization, has agreed to a minor-league deal that includes an invite to Spring Training with the San Francisco Giants. Jayson Stark of The Athletic reported this news Thursday night.

Over the past three seasons in Korea, Ruf has slugged 105 home runs and driven in 350 runs. It appears that the appeal of potentially playing in the major leagues again – even if it means giving up being a superstar overseas – was intriguing to Ruf. It’s unclear if he will return to Korea or head to Triple-A if he doesn’t make the Giants Opening Day roster.

In parts of five seasons with the Phillies between 2012 and 2016, Ruf slashed .240/.314/.433 with 35 home runs, 96 RBIs and a .747 OPS. While his power production against righties and lefties was comparable, his overall offensive output against right-handed pitchers wasn’t major league caliber, as he hit just .206 in 466 career at-bats against right-handed pitchers. That, along with a lack of serious positional flexibility, led to him wearing out his E-ZPass traveling back and fourth between Philadelphia and Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

In November of 2016, the Phillies traded Ruf to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a deal that netted them Howie Kendrick. The Dodgers ultimately worked out a deal with the Samsung Lions that allowed Ruf to head to the KBO in February of 2017.

Now 33, Ruff will compete for a job on a Giants team that is managed by former Phillies skipper Gabe Kapler. The two never crossed paths in Philadelphia, though, as Kapler was hired in October of 2017.

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION

  1. Phillies Roundtable: Bold Predictions For 2020
  2. Phillies Nuggets: Opening Day Lineup Projection 1.0
  3. What Happened To Rhys Hoskins In 2019?
  4. Phillies Over/Under On Wins For 2020 Set At 85.5
  5. A Look At Bryce Harper’s Projected Numbers For 2020
  6. Spencer Howard Could Be Limited To 150 Innings Or Less In 2020
  7. Realmuto On Arbitration: ‘It’s Not Me Against The Phillies’
  8. What Should You Expect From Mickey Moniak In 2020?
  9. Vince Velasquez Expects To Be In The Starting Rotation In 2020
  10. Will Andrew McCutchen Be Effective In 2020?
Share
Tim Kelly

Tim Kelly was the Editorial Director of Phillies Nation from June 2018 through October 2024. You can follow him on social media @TimKellySports.

Get throwback Phillies styles from Shibe Vintage Sports in Center City Philly