Drew Rucinski

[Docwaukee]

Nice Indy ball pickup.  

 

Anyone know anything about him?  

[Second Base]

Not that you seem to trust my analysis, but Rucinski's listed at 6'2 but seems more 6 even. Loose arm slot, long mechanics that he seems to have learned to refine since last in the minors. Biggest weakness is he can be slow to the plate despite a fast and somewhat jerky motion, and he loses his release point on his fastball and can leave it up and out over the plate. Definitely gets the most out of his body though, high effort delivery.

Fastball sits 91-93, very good arm-side fade it. Effective when started over the middle only to finish under the hands on righties which is his second favorite approach next to using the predictable fade in a back door manner. Throws a true slider and change up. Slider has sweeping action to it and grades out average or a tick above in my book. Confidently throws a change up, some drop to it, keeps it low and is functional but not really a plus offering from what I've seen. More average at best.

I like that he's simplified his violent delivery into something that he can repeat despite the effort it requires. Has a chance at three average pitches with his fastball being fringe plus because of its movement. Tops out as a back end starter, or perhaps a ground ball specialist in the pen.

Edited June 25, 2014 by ScottyA_MWAH

[Docwaukee]

Not that you seem to trust my analysis, but Rucinski's listed at 6'2 but seems more 6 even. Loose arm slot, long mechanics that he seems to have learned to refine since last in the minors. Biggest weakness is he can be slow to the plate despite a fast and somewhat jerky motion, and he loses his release point on his fastball and can leave it up and out over the plate. Definitely gets the most out of his body though, high effort delivery.

Fastball sits 91-93, very good arm-side fade it. Effective when started over the middle only to finish under the hands on righties which is his second favorite approach next to using the predictable fade in a back door manner. Throws a true slider and change up. Slider has sweeping action to it and grades out average or a tick above in my book. Confidently throws a change up, some drop to it, keeps it low and is functional but not really a plus offering from what I've seen. More average at best.

I like that he's simplified his violent delivery into something that he can repeat despite the effort it requires. Has a chance at three average pitches with his fastball being fringe plus because of its movement. Tops out as a back end starter, or perhaps a ground ball specialist in the pen.

thanks Scotty.  Not sure what would make you think I don't trust or value your analysis.  I have read pretty much every contribution you've made here and appreciate every bit.  I may not always agree, but that hardly matters. 

[Second Base]

I think I took something you said a while back the wrong way then, it was probably sarcasm.

[Blarg]

Hey Scotty, when did you get to see him pitch? Are international league games on the MLB minor league package?

[Second Base]

Texas League games are on MiLB.tv which is how I do much of my own scouting these days and I'm also going off information I collected over last offseason from someone in the organization and a short conversation with Franke Piliere.

Edited June 26, 2014 by ScottyA_MWAH

[Doug Ogilvie]

Saw Rucinski throw 9 innings in Little Rock on 6/7, and 7 innings in Tulsa on 6/12.  Looks more 6'3 to me then 6 even (stood next to him getting card signed).  Was 92-95 on scoreboard, lots of broken bats.  Best pitch seemed to be splitter. 

[Second Base]

I asked the Travs radio guy Phil Elson about the splitter before, he said it was likely something Rucinski experimented with.  More than anything, I think I've seen him rely on the cut fastball/2 seamer.  Is it possible the splitter you saw was a cutter?  If not, the splitter is news to me.  

[ettin]

Last time I was out in Arkansas it had been my hope to interview Rucinski because I missed interviewing him back in May but circumstances (a late double header) intervened. He's the real deal at least this season. I'll be more excited if he can continue this performance level into next year.

[Doug Ogilvie]

I believe Rucinski throws a 4 seamer, a slider, a change up, and a splitter.  I just read somewhere that he is using the splitter later in games as an out pitch.  I will try to find the comments and post.  I dont think he throws a 2 seamer or a cutter.  Phil Elson should know.

[Second Base]

Perhaps it's his 4-seamer that moves so much.  I'd just assumed that given it's arm-side run it would've been a two-seamer or a cut-fastball. 

 

His home park is a pitcher's park, and while his ERA is about 2 runs lower at home, he's been no slouch on the road either. 3.35 ERA. Given his BB/9, K/9, LD% and GB%, it most certainly appears his performance in Arkansas so far is the real deal.  If Santiago is the team's 6th starter, it'd make sense if Roth was 7th in line and Rucinski was 8th. 

 

Really hope he carves a role out in their future plans. 

[Dreams]

Another good outing tonight for Drew:

 

IP 7.0

H 7

R 1

ER 1

BB 0

SO 6

HR 0

ERA 2.31

 

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2014_06_27_arkaax_friaax_1&t=g_box&sid=milb

Edited June 28, 2014 by Dreams

[Doug Ogilvie]

I see Rucinski got another no decision on Friday, that's 5 blown saves and 1 no decision due to a 0-0 score. His record could easily be 12-4 vs 7-4.  Great season so far.