After beginning the 2015 season with the Seattle Mariners, Justin Ruggiano saw his role begin to diminish. On a team with outfielders such as, Nelson Cruz and Franklin Gutierrez, there wasn’t much playing time for Ruggiano.
He was designated for assignment by the Mariners on June 4 and sent outright to Triple-A Tacoma last June. Ruggiano was then traded to the Dodgers on Aug. 31, beating the deadline for players to be traded and remain eligible for the postseason roster with their new club.
During his time in Los Angeles, Ruggiano was primarily utilized against left-handed pitching. He batted .333/.388/.667 with eight extra-base hits against lefties in September and October (21 games; 13 starts).
Overall with the Dodgers, who selected Ruggiano in the 25th round of the 2004 draft, he hit .291/.350/.618 with four home runs, 12 RBIs, a .409 wOBA and 166 wRC+.
The success, coupled with Scott Van Slyke’s wrist injury, earned Ruggiano a spot on the Dodgers’ 25-man roster for the National League Division Series. He made one start and two pinch-hit appearances, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
Los Angeles sent Ruggiano outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City last November, though he refused the assignment and elected free agency. The 33 year old went on to sign a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers.
2015 Highlight
On Sept. 7, Ruggiano hit a two-run double in his first game as a part of the Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. His two RBIs essentially proved to be the difference in the Dodgers’ 7-5 win. The following night, Ruggiano connected on a leadoff home run.
2016 Outlook
By signing with the Rangers, Ruggiano joined his seventh organization in the last nine years. Ruggiano’s ability to play all three outfield positions should lend to semi-consistent playing time with the Rangers.
Additionally, if Ruggiano is able to replicate his success against left-handed pitching, he could serve as designated hitter depth behind Prince Fielder.
Ruggiano is a career .256/.321/.436 batter over parts of seven seasons in the Majors with the Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Mariners and Dodgers.
