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Expect to See Ruiz in Marlins Lineup Early and Often
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- Expect to See Ruiz in Marlins Lineup Early and Often
(Sam Navarro/Imagn Images)
MIAMI — Esteury Ruiz was acquired by the Miami Marlins over the offseason with the expectation that he would be a speedy fourth outfielder who could provide a spark off the bench when needed.
But what if he could be more?
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Marlins manager Clayton McCullough intends to find out, saying on Tuesday during his pregame press conference that Ruiz will be getting more opportunities in the lineup.
"He's earned the opportunity to get some more run and some more starts," McCullough said.
Ruiz has slashed .375/.615/.875 with three stolen bases in his last seven games. He came into Tuesday's 10-6 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks as a pinch hitter and knocked in an RBI double.
Ruiz has had the same number of opportunities (26 at-bats) against left and right-handed pitching. His OPS is much higher against lefties (.910) than righties (.709).
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"What does the bat look like when he's given a more regular chance to go play," McCullough said, "not only vs. left but play some version of right as well."
Speed has always been Ruiz's calling card. Even with 52 at-bats this season, Ruiz has stolen 11 bases and is a key contributor to the Marlins leading the Major Leagues in stolen bases.
"He has certainly changed the game when he's gotten on base," McCullough said. "He factors in almost every game at some point when it's close, and we're up.
On Sunday, Ruiz came in as a pinch hitter, drew a walk, stole both second and third base, before scoring on a single by Joe Mack. The Marlins defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 to claim their second straight series.
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"I know that he's fast and I know that, ball on the ground, he's gonna be a tough out to get at home," Mack said of Ruiz.
The 27-year-old seemingly broke out in 2023 with 67 stolen bases for the Athletics . He spent much of the past two seasons in the minor leagues but played enough games in 2025 to earn himself a World Series ring with the Los Angeles Dodgers .
The Marlins traded RHP Adriano Marrero to the Dodgers for Ruiz on Dec. 30, 2025.
"We knew of the ability to go play defense in all three spots, whether that's starting the game or coming off the bench," McCullough said. "The speed off the bench can be a real weapon. But also, we felt that offensively, there's more there as a player than what he may be has shown in the Major League level."
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Over the course of his career, Ruiz has had enough at-bats to resemble a sample size of a full-time leadoff hitter. In 612 at-bats, dating back to 2022, Ruiz is slashing .239/.311/.500 with 11 home runs, 88 stolen bases, 76 runs scored, and 66 RBI.
"He's still a very young player that still at this point has minimal experience at the Major League level," McCullough said.
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