Who the hell is Rucinski

[NrM]

I noticed he has pretty good numbers in the minors, but hasn't compiled a lot of innings as a starter. I'm guessing he's had a lot of injuries?

Does he have good stuff? Looks like his fastball sits around 93.

 

He was 25 last year and did well in Arkansas.

Seems to be shutting down the rockies starters and is having one of the better springs of any angels pitcher.

Edited March 17, 2015 by Poozy

[Second Base]

He's this guy - http://monkeywithahalo.com/player-projections/la-angels-prospects-countdown-27-drew-rucinski.html

 

Though admittedly his change up looks better today then it did when I watched him last year.  Could be a 3-pitch pitcher now. 

Edited March 17, 2015 by ScottyA_MWAH

[Chuck]

He was hitting 94-95 MPH with his fastball the past two starts. Just saying. 

 

It was always his secondary stuff that appealed to scouts, so look out. 

[NrM]

He's this guy - http://monkeywithahalo.com/player-projections/la-angels-prospects-countdown-27-drew-rucinski.html

Cool thanks. Here's fangraphs writeup on him.

 

RHP Drew Rucinski (Cleveland signed him out of the Indy Leagues, then released him, then the Angels signed him out of the Indy Leagues in 2013 and he reached the big leagues in 2014; works 92-94 with a splitter that’s above average at times that helped post good numbers as a starter in Double-A in 2014).

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/evaluating-the-prospects-los-angeles-angels/

[wopphil]

He has excellent HR/9 and K/9 rates in his minor league career, so hopefully he is a diamond in the rough.

[Mark68]

He has excellent HR/9 and K/9 rates in his minor league career, so hopefully he is a diamond in the rough.

Or a clean peanut.

[Chuck]

Who the hell is Rucinski

 

 

You obviously haven't paid attention to our weekly prospect reports throughout the entire previous season.

[Mark68]

Drew Rucinski is CJ Wilson's replacement.

[Docwaukee]

with all the nasty change up guys in camp, it makes sense that he'd be able to pick up some tips.  

 

if he can truly be 92-94 with deception and solid secondary pitches, that's pretty damn good.  

 

there were 17 qualified starting pitchers in all of mlb who averaged 93mph or better on their fastball.  

 

He needs to grow and beard and then we'll like him better.  

[tdawg87]

This guy is underrated and will be a solid starter in the majors.

[Afternoon Angel]

Sooooo...attended 5 Spring training games and saw 0 wins.

Returned back to OC and today the Cubs win and the Angels win huge...

 

Jinx material???

[Erstad Grit]

He looked nasty today

[DMVol]

How in the heck did he get released twice and end up in the Indy league?

[Sam Sanchez]

V

[Angelsjunky]

I think it was Sickels who said that if you're looking for a 2015 version of Matt Shoemaker that Drew Rucinski could be that guy.

[Second Base]

That was actually Scotty Allen that said that.

[tdawg87]

That was actually Scotty Allen that said that.

 

Scotty Allen wanted to trade Rucinski for Carlos Quentin.

[Angelsjunky]

That was actually Scotty Allen that said that.

 

John Sickels also said it: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/2/16/8047917/los-angeles-angels-top-20-prospects-for-2015

 

Relevant quote: "Four-pitch mix, throws strikes, if you are looking for another Matt Shoemaker "who the hell is this guy" success story, check him out."

[laagamer]

I like him. I thought they should consider him for spot starter last year before Rasmus ran away with the job. 

[Second Base]

Scotty Allen wanted to trade Rucinski for Carlos Quentin.

That was in the event that Quentin is killing the ball, Cron isn't and the Padres aren't wanting Green.

[Angel Oracle]

Shoemaker in 2014.

Rucinski in 2015?

[Inside Pitch]

Shoemaker in 2014.

Rucinski in 2015?

 

Sometimes I wonder if we won't end up asking the same thing about Nate Smith down the road.   Kid just knows how to pitch and while he doesn't awe anyone with pure stuff, that change-up is really really good, the FB ticks up at times, particularly for a LHP, and he knows how to work both of his curves..

[Second Base]

I'd agree if Smith weren't so hittable. 

[Inside Pitch]

I'd agree if Smith weren't so hittable. 

 

Smith's career H/9 of 7.2 (6.9 last year), sort of argues he's not that hitable.  

 

I mean, Rucinski had a H/9 of 8.6.  Roth who you were very fond of was at 7.8, both pitched in the same park as did Smith.  Garret Richards' lowest H/9 in the minors was 7.7  Andrew Heaney's career minor league H/9 is 7.9...    To date Smith's allowed 123 hits in 153 minor league innings.   There isn't much of a track record there I admit... but if he's that hitable it's not yet manifested itself in his performances...

 

Perhaps you're predicting he will start getting tagged as he moves up?   Maybe you can elaborate.  

Edited March 18, 2015 by Inside Pitch

[Mark68]

Is it possible that Shoemaker and Rucinski are victims of the same prospect rating process that never had Calhoun pegged as much of a prospect? Maybe lack of high ceiling and age relative to league average is causing these players to be overlooked?