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Drew Rucinski

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Drew Rucinski
Rucinski with the Rochester Red Wings in 2017
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1988-12-30) December 30, 1988 (age 35)
Neenah, Wisconsin, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: July 10, 2014, for the Los Angeles Angels
KBO: March 24, 2019, for the NC Dinos
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record4–8
Earned run average6.25
Strikeouts50
KBO statistics
(through 2022 season)
Win–loss record53-36
Earned run average3.06
Strikeouts657
Teams
Career highlights and awards
KBO

Drew James Rucinski (born December 30, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Minnesota Twins, Miami Marlins, and Oakland Athletics and in the KBO League for the NC Dinos.

Career

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Rucinski attended Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[1] He played college baseball at Ohio State University for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2008 to 2011.

Cleveland Indians

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The Cleveland Indians signed Rucinski as an undrafted free agent on June 15, 2011.[2] He spent his first professional season split between the rookie–level Arizona League Indians, Low–A Mahoning Valley Scrappers, and Single–A Lake County Captains. In 22 appearances out of the bullpen, he logged a cumulative 4–0 record and 2.92 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 37.0 innings of work.[3] Rucinski was released by the Indians organization on March 28, 2012.[4]

Rockford RiverHawks/Aviators

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On April 23, 2012, Rucinski signed with the Rockford RiverHawks of the Frontier League.[5] In 22 games (15 starts), Rucinski logged a 7–4 record and 3.13 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 103+23 innings pitched.[6] In 2013, Rucinski returned to Rockford, now the Aviators, making 15 starts and posting a 4–6 record and 2.88 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 100.0 innings of work.[7]

Los Angeles Angels

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On August 6, 2013, Rucinski signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization.[8] He finished the year with the High–A Inland Empire 66ers, posting a 1.86 ERA across 5 starts. In 2014, Rucinski made 26 starts for the Double–A Arkansas Travelers, logging a 10–6 record and 3.15 ERA with 140 strikeouts in 148+23 innings pitched.[9]

On July 10, 2014, Rucinski was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[10] In 3 games for the Angels, he logged a 4.91 ERA with 8 strikeouts in 7+13 innings pitched. In 2015, Rucinski made the Angels' Opening Day roster, beating out Andrew Heaney and Nick Tropeano.[11] He made only 4 appearances for the team, struggling to a 7.71 ERA with 4 strikeouts in 7.0 innings of work. On September 1, 2015, Rucinski was designated for assignment following the promotion of Wesley Wright.[12] On September 4, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Salt Lake Bees.[13] He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[14]

Chicago Cubs

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On November 16, 2015, Rucinski signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization.[15] He spent the 2016 season with the Triple–A Iowa Cubs, making 28 starts and posting a 7–15 record and 5.92 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 155.0 innings of work. Rucinski elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2016.[16]

Minnesota Twins

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On December 15, 2016, Rucinski signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.[17] He began the 2017 season with the Triple–A Rochester Red Wings, posting a 3.48 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 10+13 innings pitched. On May 5, 2017, the Twins selected Rucinski's contract, adding him to the major league roster.[18] He struggled immensely in two appearances for Minnesota, allowing five runs on ten hits and two walks in 4+13 innings of work. On June 11, Rucinski was designated for assignment following the promotion of Nik Turley.[19] On June 15, he re–signed with the Twins on a minor league deal after briefly becoming a free agent.[20] On September 6, Rucinski was released by the Twins organization.[21]

Miami Marlins

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On November 30, 2017, Rucinski signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins.[22] He began the 2018 season with the Triple–A New Orleans Baby Cakes, posting a 2.52 ERA with 21 strikeouts across 14 appearances. Rucinski had his contract purchased to the major league roster on June 3, 2018.[23] He made 32 relief appearances for Miami, recording a 4.33 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 35+13 innings pitched.[24] On October 27, Rucinski was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A New Orleans; however, he subsequently elected free agency in lieu of the assignment.[25]

NC Dinos

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On November 29, 2018, Rucinski signed a one-year, $600,000 contract with the NC Dinos of the KBO League.[26] On January 1, 2021, Rucinski re-signed with the Dinos on a one-year, $1.6 million contract.[27] He posted a 15–10 record with a 3.17 ERA and 177 strikeouts over 178 ⅔ innings. On December 21, 2021, Rucinski re-signed with the Dinos to a $2 million deal, which tied for the second-most lucrative contract for a foreign player at the time of his signing.[28] Rucinski was named a KBO All-Star for the team in 2022.[29] He became a free agent after the 2022 season.

Oakland Athletics

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On December 21, 2022, Rucinski signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics that contains a club option for the 2024 season.[30] He began the 2023 season working out of Oakland's rotation, and went 0–4 through his first 4 starts with the club. On May 20, 2023, Rucinski was placed on the injured list with a gastrointestinal illness. On June 11, it was announced that he had recovered from the illness, but was dealing with a low–grade MCL sprain of his right knee.[31] On June 20, Rucinski was transferred to the 60-day injured list.[32] On July 18, it was announced that he would undergo season–ending back surgery to address a degenerative condition.[33]

References

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  1. ^ "Pro baseball: Union graduate Drew Rucinski wins Korean title game".
  2. ^ Drew Rucinski Signs Free Agent Contract with Cleveland Indians
  3. ^ Ludwiczak, Brett (May 10, 2020). "Drew Rucinski's journey from Ohio State to South Korea". Land-Grant Holy Land. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  4. ^ "Drew Rucinski Stats, Fantasy & News". milb.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  5. ^ "2012 Transactions". frontierleague.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  6. ^ "Drew Rucinski pitches Rockford RiverHawks to win". rrstar.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  7. ^ "Tough baseball path about to pay off for Angels pitcher Drew Rucinski". capitalgazette.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  8. ^ "ANGELS PURCHASE CONTRACT OF ROCKFORD PITCHER DREW RUCINSKI". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  9. ^ "Ohio State baseball: Former OSU pitcher Drew Rucinski gets chance with Angels". dispatch.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  10. ^ "Angels Designate Nick Maronde For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  11. ^ "Angels Notes: Drew Rucinski ready for first big league start". ocregister.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  12. ^ "Angels Designate Alfredo Marte, Drew Rucinski". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  13. ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 9/4/15". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  14. ^ "Drew Rucinski Stats, Fantasy & News". mlb.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  15. ^ "Cubs Sign Drew Rucinski to Minor League Deal, Brian Schlitter Signs with Rockies". bleachernation.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  16. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2016". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  17. ^ Eddy, Matt (December 24, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: Dec. 10-22". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
  18. ^ "Twins select contract of Drew Rucinski". mlb.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  19. ^ "Twins Designate Drew Rucinski". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  20. ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 6/15/17". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  21. ^ "Drew Rucinski Trades and Transactions". baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  22. ^ Todd, Jeff (November 30, 2017). "Minor MLB Transactions: 11/30/17". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  23. ^ "Twins Select Drew Rucinski, Option Jarlin Garcia". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  24. ^ "Right-Handed Pitcher Drew Rucinski's 2018 Miami Marlins Review". marlinmaniac.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  25. ^ "Marlins Outright Bryan Holaday, Drew Rucinski, Miguel Del Pozo". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  26. ^ @MyKBO (November 30, 2018). "NC announced the signing of pitcher Drew Rucinski.Contract Details: $200K signing bonus, $600K salary and $200K…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  27. ^ "NC Dinos Re-Sign Aaron Altherr, Drew Rucinski".
  28. ^ "NC Dinos sign new American outfielder, bring back 2 starters". English.yonhapnews.co.kr. December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  29. ^ "Tigers starter Yang Hyeon-jong tops KBO All-Star voting". m-en.yna.co.kr. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  30. ^ "A's Agree to Terms with RHP Drew Rucinski on One-Year Contract with Club Option". MLB.com.
  31. ^ "Athletics' Drew Rucinski: Over illness, nursing knee sprain". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  32. ^ "Athletics' Drew Rucinski: Moved to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  33. ^ "Athletics' Drew Rucinski, Yacksel Ríos Require Season-Ending Surgery". bvmsports.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
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