Traded by the Atlanta Braves, outfielder Esteury Ruiz landed in Oakland with many wondering what type of impact he would make. No one expected much of him heading into 2023, as with the other players on the roster. But, positive news came out of the spring in regards to him and his play. His speed stood out the most, showing he could be a dependable outfielder who can track down balls with ease. The amount of playing time became clear when the team traded center fielder Cristian Pache to the Phillies before the regular season started.
On Opening Day, we all saw (including me in-person) why the A’s believed in Ruiz.
Unreal catch by Esteury Ruiz in his first A’s game to rob Trout of a hit! pic.twitter.com/242EaBRgsg
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) March 31, 2023
What a start to his Oakland career.
2023 Review
Ruiz played in 132 games for the A’s in 2023. It was clear he wasn’t a power hitter, only giving the team five home runs to his name. But, his 114 hits and 67 stolen bases will make many fans like myself forget about his lack of power.
Every game, it seemed like Ruiz had a stolen base. His speed struck fear into opposing pitchers, who had to account for him every time he was on base. No wonder he set the American League record for stolen bases in a season.
His .254 batting average led the team, and his three home runs in September show there is potential in terms of becoming a better hitter for the Athletics.
Defensively, you would think his speed would make him one of the best players in the outfield. Incorrect. His arm isn’t the best in the league, and was one of the worst outfielders in defensive runs saved (-20). Improvement is definitely needed in 2024.
2024 Outlook
With the A’s looking forward to another rebuilding year in 2024, Ruiz should receive plenty of playing time to refine his game and become a better player compared to 2023.
This spring, he has refined his mechanics at the plate. It has resulted in better exit velocity and plate appearances during games, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com.
Manager Mark Kotsay is optimistic about the improvement carrying over into the regular season, noting Ruiz’s “bat path looks better” and adding the outfielder’s head position now appears to be consistently correct after his helmet frequently fell off during at-bats in 2023.
CBS Sports on Esteury Ruiz’s improving skills during Spring Training
Continuing to refine his approach while maintaining his elite speed will help him be a more dangerous threat at the plate. After all, getting yourself in scoring position consistently will only help your team be better offensively.
Overall, Esteury Ruiz has the talent and opportunity to become a breakout star for the Oakland A’s in 2024. If he stays healthy and continues to develop his all-around game, he could become a crucial piece for the A’s future and a fan favorite with his electrifying style of play.
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Featured Image: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
