Darin Ruf Finds Elusive Successful Day at Plate

“Prospects will break your heart,” the mantra goes.

March 1, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Darin Ruf (18) hits a RBI single during the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Baseball Prospectus released their mid-season top 50 prospects today ($$$), revealing the recent flowering of Phillies 3B prospect Maikel Franco in Reading is no biased fluke. “The bat is real,” they say, and despite the kid’s slow feet, he is gaining more credibility every day.

The future is bright, or at least has a bright spot.  The present, however, does not see September with a swath of reasonably-hoped for “prospects” being put on display.

Take a peak at Darin Ruf, the 2012 Eastern League home run king.  “Babe Ruf” they called him.  Phillies management broke protocol and promoted him to the Major League level in September, putting his power in full view of those like us, who would become most addicted to it.  And after knocking three dingers as a pro, he was deemed the savior of Phillies baseball.

Struggling with the transition to left field – at least at first – Ruf couldn’t make it out of camp in 2013 and went back to Lehigh to develop, as much as a 26-year-old whom no one was expecting much from will.  He comes up now and again, having returned to the mean, due to the prolific nature of his 2012 folk legend.

However, when you sink out of view as Ruf has, any progress is worth a tweet.

So, Darin – maybe some day, something will happen.  The future is bleak, but a feel-good Ruf-errection (WHOA that’s supposed to be a play on “resurrection” that went horribly wrong, jesus) would be fun.  Maybe he’ll just be a normal hitter for the rest of his career.

3-for-3 is good, though.