Rick Hahn announced the White Sox will promote Winston-Salem pitcher Jose Ruiz on Tuesday as part of their September roster expansion at Monday’s pre-game presser before the Detroit Tigers game.
At first blush, Ruiz seems an unlikely ascension from High-A but the flame-throwing right-hander is not who you think he is. Ruiz already has big league experience with the San Diego Padres after he was called up last season in a pinch.
Ruiz was originally signed as a catcher by the Padres and earned a seven-figure signing bonus. After five seasons of lackluster offensive performance (.203/.239/.240), the Padres decided to tap into his arm as the last resort before making a roster decision.
Ruiz was placed on waivers last December and the White Sox were happy to snag the high-ceiling hurler with little risk. After joining a stacked organization, Ruiz is now considered the No.-24 prospect in the organization. Here is an excerpt from MLB Pipeline.com
The arm strength that helped Ruiz earn a seven-figure bonus and throw out 37 percent of the professional baserunners who tested him also has translated to the mound. Ruiz sits at 94-97 mph with his fastball and can reach 99 mph, generating downward plane with a high three-quarters delivery that helps him compensate for a relatively undersized 6-foot-1 frame. His No. 2 pitch is a mid-80s slider that has more power than bite but keeps hitters from sitting on his heater.
Promoting Ruiz seems to fit with the White Sox’s bullpen showdown this September. After Ian Hamilton, Caleb Frare and Ryan Burr were promoted over the past week, adding Ruiz boosts the level of competition at the back of the bullpen.
Ruiz owns a 3-1 record with 16 saves in 58 2/3 innings between Double-A and High-A this season and appears to be a strikeout machine. He’s fanned 77 batters in 2018 for a staggering 14.9 strikeouts per nine innings and 4.40 strikeout-to-walk ration.
