The Braves promoted Ruiz to the major leagues on September 17, 2016.[15] The next day, he was announced as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning of a game against the Washington Nationals, but was unable to make a plate appearance before the contest was called due to rain.[16] Ruiz tripled for his first major league hit on September 28, against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Frank Herrmann.[17]
Before reporting to spring training in 2017, Ruiz sought help from Azusa Pacific University track coach Kevin Reid, who aided Ruiz in improving his agility and conditioning.[18] Ruiz began the 2017 season with Gwinnett and was promoted to the major leagues on May 18.[19] On May 20, 2017, Ruiz hit his first major league home run off Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer.[20] Ruiz started the 2018 season at Gwinnett.[21]
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles claimed Ruiz off waivers on December 10, 2018.[22] On August 11, 2019, Ruiz hit his first career walk-off home run off Roberto Osuna of the Houston Astros.[23] He finished the 2019 season with a .232 average, 12 home runs and 46 RBIs in 370 at bats.
In 2020 for the Orioles, Ruiz slashed .222/.286/.427 with 9 home runs and 32 RBI.[24] After hitting .167 in 101 plate appearances in 2021, Ruiz was designated for assignment on May 18, 2021.[25]
Colorado Rockies
On May 24, 2021, Ruiz was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies.[26] The Rockies assigned him to the Albuquerque Isotopes.[27] Ruiz made his debut for Colorado on July 27, 2021.[28] Ruiz played in 30 games for the Rockies, hitting .168 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI's. On October 21, Ruiz elected free agency.[29]
LG Twins
On December 27, 2021, Ruiz signed with the LG Twins of the KBO League.[30] He was waived on May 30, 2022, after struggling to a .155/.234/.262 line with 1 home run and 6 RBIs over 27 games.[31]
Ruiz and his wife Michelle have one son together who was born in 2019.[33]
References
^Sondheimer, Eric (June 4, 2011). "Bishop Amat's Rio Ruiz contributes to great prep sports moments". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
^"Bishop Amat's Rio Ruiz is a sophomore star". Los Angeles Times. May 1, 2010. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
^Robledo, Fred (June 30, 2011). "The final awards of the season go to Bishop Amat's Rio Ruiz and Northview's Khalalah Todd, the 2010-11 Tribune athletes of the year". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
^Robledo, Fred. "Baseball: It's a Banner year for Bishop Amat, Rio Ruiz and coach Andy Nieto earn top honors". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
^Grimala, Mike. "Don't call it a comeback". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
^ a bMakarewicz, Daniel (July 14, 2013). "Bandits' Ruiz nearly had game taken away from him". Dispatch Argus. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
^Robledo, Fred J. (March 26, 2012). "HIGH SCHOOLS: Bishop Amat's Ruiz recovering, in 'good spirits'". Whittier Daily News. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
^Goble, Clark (June 6, 2012). "Astros thrilled with variety of Day 2 Draft picks". MLB.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
^Tolegian, Aram (June 25, 2012). "BASEBALL: Ruiz has 1.85 million reasons to choose Astros". San Bernardino Sun. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
^"Among top prospects in AFL, Ruiz feels he belongs | astros.com". Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
^Bowman, Mark (January 14, 2015). "Braves send Gattis to Astros for 3 prospects". MLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
^"Braves trade Evan Gattis to Astros". ESPN.com. January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
^Constant, Andrew (May 28, 2016). "Ruiz Making Strides in Triple-A Debut". MILB.com. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
^O'Brien, David (September 17, 2016). "Braves 3B prospect Ruiz gets first call to the big leagues". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
^James, Pat (September 17, 2016). "Diet, hard work come to fruition for Ruiz". MLB.com. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
^Bowman, Mark (September 18, 2016). "Rain can't spoil debut for Braves' Ruiz, family". MLB.com. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
^Bowman, Mark; Zolecki, Todd (September 29, 2016). "Braves keep rolling, knock off Phillies". MLB.com. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
^Bowman, Mark (February 19, 2017). "Ruiz arrives at Braves camp with new body". MLB.com. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
^O'Brien, David (May 18, 2017). "Freeman has fractured wrist, expected to miss at least 10 weeks". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
^"Braves hit 3 homers to beat Max Scherzer, Nationals 5-2". ESPN. Associated Press. May 21, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
^Kelly, Matt (March 28, 2018). "Braves option Ruiz to Triple-A, reassign 4". MLB.com. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
^"Braves INF Rio Ruiz claimed off waivers by Orioles". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 10, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
^"O's battle back to claim walk-off win over Astros". MLB.com. August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2019.