It’s easy to be anxious to call up a minor league prospect who is doing well in AAA, especially when your big league outfield is doing this…

Phillies outfielders have a .615 OPS, worst in baseball. The next closest is Oakland at .650. Incredible discrepancy.

— Matt Gelb (@magelb) May 11, 2013

Yeah, it’s easy to see why people aren’t really thrilled with how things have been going with the current gang in the outfield. It’s easy to see why they’re looking for a solution. And it’s also easy to see why many think Ruf might be that solution.

LF Darin Ruf continues to shine for @ironpigs. With his 1st inning 2B, he’s hit safely in 12 of last 14 (.412-4-14; 21-51, 5 2B, 11 R, 7 BB)

— Matt Provence (@PigsRadio) May 12, 2013

Not only that, as ubiquitous blog master Justin Klugh pointed out this weekend, Ruf’s defense in left field appears to be nearing competency as well.

So, that leaves pretty much every question answered, doesn’t it? What are we waiting for? Let’s call the boy up and get that pitcher-demolishing bat in the everyday lineup for Pete’s sake!

Only, there’s one problem.

There’s no room for him at the inn right now.

March 17, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Darin Ruf (18) at bat against the Baltimore Orioles at Bright House Networks Field. The Players are wearing green for St. Patrick

As bad as the Phils’ offense is, and as poorly as the outfielders have hit the ball so far in 2013, there really isn’t a spot for him to play, unless you want to either demote or release Domonic Brown, Ben Revere or Delmon Young.

Brown is finally starting to show the promise that many hoped he would show. Sure, his batting average and on base percentage aren’t where everyone wants them to be yet, but he’s been showing signs that he may be on the verge of finally breaking through. He’s gotten some big hits lately, has been hitting the ball hard, and besides, it’s time to give this guy a full season to prove what he can do.

Revere isn’t going anywhere. The Phillies traded two young pitchers to acquire him, he plays tremendous defense, and has been coming around at the plate as well, hitting .400/.483/.440 in 30 PAs in May (although much of that is inflated due to a .435 BABIP this month).

The Phillies are locked in with both those players.

The only player you could argue could be removed and replaced by Ruf is Young. And while Delmon has gotten off to a slow start (hitting .207/.306/.379 with 1 HR and 2 2Bs since returning from injury), he’s only had 36 plate appearances and played in just 10 games in a Phillies uniform.

Love or hate Delmon Young, that’s not nearly enough of a sample size with which to judge him.

And although there’s no love lost for John Mayberry, the Phils need him as their right-handed bench option because he’s the only other outfielder who can play a competent defensive center field.

At some point, the Phillies may be forced to make a decision with Delmon Young and Ruf. If Ruf is going to be called up, it would seemingly have to be at Delmon’s expense. And yeah, the offense, especially the production coming from the outfield, is downright putrid right now. But it’s unlikely that starting a rookie in one of the two corner outfield spots would be a cure.

But hey, it’s great that Ruf seems to be learning how to hit AAA pitchers and that his defense is coming around. Both developments portend well for the future.

But right now, despite the outfield’s inability to generate consistent offense, promoting Ruf doesn’t seem to be the right move.

Yet.

Darin Ruf walks with the bases loaded to give Lehigh Valley a 1-0 lead. T3 in DUrham.Ruf with 21 RBI’s.

— Phuture Phillies (@PhuturePhilz) May 11, 2013

Lehigh Valley lost to Louisville 6-3. Zach Miner (4IP, 4ER) took the L. Cody Asche & Darin Ruf w/ 2 hits apiece, including a HR each. #MiLB

— Jay Floyd (@PhoulBallz) May 9, 2013

But it was never his offense or walking with the bases loaded abilities that were in question, all the time.  It was the Phillies’ awesome plan turn him into an outfielder that seemed to put a snag in things.

Well, according to director of turning players into positions that they don’t play Joe Jordan, everything’s going fine, so shut up, please.  Why, just look at the value of Ruf’s rookie card, skyrocketing.

“The left-field play has been very good.  It’s not a concern for me. It’s not a concern at all.”

–Joe Jordan, via Bob Brookover in the Inquirer

March 17, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Darin Ruf (18) catches a fly ball during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

And what better way to convince people of things than to repeat them unnecessarily?  When I want to trick someone into my many lies, I hauntingly repeat myself, over and over again, at times rocking back and forth and letting my eyes roll back into my head.

Ruf didn’t make the Phillies out of training camp this year, in large part due to chilling inadequacies in his defensive game.  His development since then has seemed to go raucously well, but the Phillies already have a Delmon Young on the roster, who seems weirdly capable in the right field thus far.

Not sure what sort of offensive punch the Phillies would need to call up Ruf without an injury, but nonetheless, it’s good to see any player become more well-rounded, especially if they are able to contribute in one facet of the game already.

The Phillies filtered out of the dugout to meet him in lackadaisical “I guess we’re obligated to do this” preseason baseball-style and congratulated the lad, not pretending he doesn’t exist like they did that one time.  The baseball was turned to mere threads, clearing the entire stadium and landing somewhere where it would eventually become a part of some beach fowl’s nest.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

A great moment for a kid whose had heaps of pressure to perform, now, as a surprise who was never supposed to be here in the first place.  The Phillies were thrilled with the young slugger’s afternoon, despite his recent struggles at the plate, in the outfield, and in not throwing the ball over the outfield fence.

They celebrated the day by shipping Darin out of camp to join his compatriots at Triple-A spring training, where he will most likely start the season, play left field a lot, and become the hero we’re all demanding that he be.  It seems that we’re destined for something like a Mayberry/Nix platoon in the outfield, with maybe some Michael Martinez because he always seems to be around somewhere.  Rumor has it he pays Ryan Howard $200 a month to live in his gym bag.

An important spring for Darin Ruf, certainly, and pretty much what could have been predicted (and in most cases was).  He didn’t fail completely, though he did fail a lot, but now he will have the time at a lower level to develop until the time comes for him to board that bus for the long ride from Lehigh.