MESA, Ariz. – The A’s haven’t been a top-five crew in stolen bases in additional than a decade they usually haven’t led the league since Rickey Henderson’s early years. An offseason addition may assist convey pace and aggressive play again to the basepaths within the years to return.
Outfielder Esteury Ruiz led the minor leagues final season with 85 stolen bases and has made an impression on the A’s in his first spring coaching with the crew.
His pace and energy attracted the eyes of the Athletics’ entrance workplace, which acquired him in a three-team commerce that despatched catcher Sean Murphy to the Atlanta Braves. The Athletics obtained Ruiz, the Brewers’ No. 8 ranked prospect, together with Atlanta pitching prospects Kyle Muller, Freddy Tarnok and Royber Salinas, and catcher Manny Piña.
“My first level is to attempt to get on base,” the 24-year-old Dominican mentioned this week via a translator. “I do know if I try this, we're going to have an excellent quantity of stolen bases.”
Within the 2022 season, Ruiz carried a .332 batting common with a .974 OPS and 145 hits. He drove in 65 RBIs and hit 16 house runs, taking part in the vast majority of his season at Triple-A.
“Once you see his pace and the way in which his bat was growing final yr, he took some nice strides and has some sneaky energy,” Oakland hitting coach Tommy Everidge mentioned.
Final season was the primary time since rookie ball in 2017 that Ruiz maintained a median over .255 or an on-base proportion over .330 — a threshold he smashed via in 2022, at .447.
However the query for this season stays: Will Ruiz’s pace and energy be sufficient to see him referred to as as much as the majors? In spring coaching, he has began in a handful of video games for the A’s alongside different outfielders, together with JJ Bleday, Cristian Pache and Connor Capel, all of whom are competing for spots.
Everidge mentioned finally the choice is as much as supervisor Mark Kotsay and the entrance workplace, however he has seen a whole lot of pleasure and energy from Ruiz.
“He positively brings one thing to the sport that not too many individuals right here have,” Everidge mentioned.
That one thing is pace, which Kotsay mentioned the A’s would use as a bonus this yr. The roster leans on the youthful aspect, offering the chance for aggressive base operating and stolen bases. But the crew nonetheless must be cautious to not give away foolish outs.
Esteury Ruiz flashing off the pace that led catcher Shea Langaliers to declare him a “nightmare” when he will get on. Ruiz would later swipe third base. #Athleticspic.twitter.com/AWUj0MioZ3
— Joe Hughes (@VegasJoeHughes) March 10, 2023
“We worth outs,” Kotsay mentioned. “After we give outs away… it takes away alternatives on the plate. That’s our mentality when it comes to being extra aggressive.”
Catcher Shea Langeliers believes Main League Baseball’s rule adjustments — together with a pitch clock, bigger bases and a restrict on pickoff makes an attempt — would possibly profit speedsters like Ruiz.
He defined that with somebody like Ruiz within the lineup, catchers typically have to vary their recreation plans contemplating what a runner would possibly do. He mentioned, for instance, that they is likely to be unable to name a breaking ball as soon as the pitcher has thrown over twice as a result of the runner may already get a leap.
He’s simply blissful he doesn’t should play in opposition to Ruiz this season, as he did in Triple-A final yr earlier than the Brewers acquired the speedy outfielder as a part of the Padres’ package deal for nearer Josh Hader.
“I simply felt like there was nothing I may do,” Langeliers mentioned. “His leads, his leap off the pitchers, they're cash. You form of simply really feel helpless somewhat bit.”
Ruiz is aware of he can nonetheless enhance on his recreation and mentioned he has been engaged on getting higher offensively and hitting extra line drives this spring. Everidge agreed, noting that Ruiz remains to be engaged on timing and holding his swing tight.
Ruiz has additionally been adjusting to life in Mesa at A’s camp and to this point, it has gone seemingly properly.
“It’s an excellent group of fellows and I’m blissful to be right here,” Ruiz mentioned. “It’s been thrilling.”
Irrespective of the place Ruiz finally ends up on Opening Day, Everidge is longing for him and is aware of he'll take advantage of his alternatives.
“The best way he practices and the way in which his focus is, he’s a real competitor,” Everidge mentioned. “He’ll be prepared for something.”