Angels add infield depth with Pedro Ruiz

The Angels utilized yesterday’s Rule 5 Draft to stock up on middle infielders and selected infielder Pedro Ruiz in the Triple-A phase of the draft. In addition to Ruiz, the Angels also selected INF Chris Curley and OF Kentrail Davis in the Triple-A phase.

Pedro Ruiz has played his entire career in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization and is a five-year minor league veteran. Ruiz hasn’t progressed very quickly and played for Arizona’s low-A affiliate in 2014 at the age of 22.

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The Dominican Republic native can play second, third, or shortstop and primarily plays the latter. He will provide a solid up the middle glove and probably start in Single-A or High-A for the Halos.

The 5’9” Ruiz doesn’t pose much of a threat at the plate and seriously lacks power with a career .079 ISO. One thing he does do well is get on base; Ruiz posted a .342 OBP in 2014 and has a .372 mark for his career. On the base paths, he has stolen 52 out of a possible 75 bags with 20 of those stolen bases coming in 2012. Overall, defense is Ruiz’s calling card and that should be noted while checking the box score.

There isn’t a whole lot of excitement around this draft selection. Ruiz is simply a depth piece and will fill in the Angels’ infield in the lower minor leagues. If he can add some more strength to his build and continue to get on base at a high rate, he may come into the conversation in a few seasons. As for now, expect Pedro Ruiz to act as a stopgap for other Angels’ prospects as they move up in the system.