The Giants have inked first baseman/outfielder Darin Ruf to a minor league contract, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports. The deal includes an invitation to major league spring training.
The 33-year-old Ruf is returning stateside after spending three seasons with the Korea Baseball Organization’s Samsung Lions, who purchased his contract from the Dodgers in February 2017. It proved to be a great move for the Lions, as Ruf slashed an excellent .313/.404/.564 line with 86 home runs over 1,756 plate appearances as a member of the team.
Long before heading to Korea, Ruf entered pro ball as a 20th-round pick of the Phillies in 2009. He picked up at-bats with the major league club in each season from 2012-16, hitting a decent .240/.314/.433 (105 wRC+) with 35 homers in 833 PA, but he logged dismal production in his most recent MLB campaign. Ruf spent the majority of that season at the Triple-A level, where he owns a lifetime .280/.345/.457 mark and 28 HRs in 859 trips to the plate.
WORLD SERIES BOUND!
typical moron comment
How did he think that was witty and original? It happens about 30 times a day on this site.
Someone had to say it…
The Giants. Lol
rightyspecialist. Lol
Giants fans are so fragile and sensitive…..It’s nauseating
Giants fans have celebrated THREE WS titles in recent years. Bet you can’t say the same. Jealous much?
We are.
Could be a slick signing for the Giants
Reminds me of Eric Thames a few years ago.
Now that’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time
I thought he was done. I didn’t even know he went to KBO
Of course I know him. He’s me.
I don’t think the force is strong with Ruf. He seems more like a blaster type.
Must be Resistance. Too much contact to be a Stormtrooper.
What about Matt Adams and Greg Bird?, would’ve
Figured Adams woulda at least got a minors deal.
Woof Woof, Ruf Ruf, my dogs are fired up after hearing this news
Take it easy, DMX…
Figured he would have fetched a better deal.
Nah, his bat is worse than his bark.
A platoon partner for Belt? I guess it’s worth a spring training invite.
Won’t stick. This is a “were working” signing as they reach deals with other players. Like a lot of you though, I didn’t know he still played. Reminds me of a scene from Major league. “O don’t know half of these guys! This guy is dead! Cross him off the list then”.
Well Zaidi did say they’d try to acquire another OF.
Always a Ruff fan. Unlike later players, he got jerked around a lot. NO he’s not a star, but always thought he had the makings of a second division part-time starter and/or a first division bench bat…
Where is the other typical comment “great depth move”
*insert eye roll emoji*
Bring back Russell “the muscle” Branyan.
I liked Ruf when he was with the Phillies organization. He just couldn’t stay consistent, but when he connected he hit some LONG Homeruns. They used to call him Babe Ruf. I’m happy for him, and wish him the best with the Giants, as Long as he isn’t playing the Phillies.
His swing is not consistent with the philosophy of the launch angle disciples. More like a Charlie Lau guy. Hope it works out for him.
I like this pick up. Always thought he needed a change of scenery.
Booya!
I kind of thought he would sign with an NPB team to be honest like Angel Sánchez and Jerry Sands have done.
He could make the team out of spring training and it wouldn’t be that surprising since he has improved his BB/K every year in the KBO.
Terrible depth move..lol. Actually it’s pretty good. If he doesn’t make the major league roster he can help the River Cats challenge for another title. They need to replace Mike Gerber’s bat. He and Chris Shaw can share first base and left field
I think trying to predict the Giants’ opening day roster is a fool’s errand.
I always hoped Ruf would make it and I have no idea why…..
Maybe because he is a 20th round draft pick and the pride of (Omaha/Creighton)Nebraska?
Guy hits lefties a ton if I recall correctly. Decent move for the Gs if he still does.
The platoon split is massive.
Career vs RHP his OPS is .643 (tOPS+ 72)
Vs LHP .921 (146)
His strikeout rate was always a bugaboo…..
“Buzz, your girlfriend…Ruf!”
YAY. ???
Did they sign Ready, too?
Well, he’s tough, but steady. Darin ruf and Randy ready
Putts from the Ruf
Good for him, he got a raw deal because there was nowhere to put the shadow of himself Ryan Howard. Noones fault really, just a bad situation for everyone.
Ruf hasn’t received this much ink since kindergarten. He can still hit ’em a long way, but I don’t see him making the Giants out of ST. Better suited for a DH role IMO. But, hey, good for him that he’s getting another shot at the big leagues.
His brother Dan was better.
Dan’s middle initial was D.
I guess they saw something they liked….
or maybe they just felt they needed to sign a 33 year old with no record of MLB success
Go Gigantes!