For a team brimming with minor league talent, the Atlanta Braves have been surprisingly conservative with promoting their prospects after the Sept. 1 roster expansion.
A lot of that stems from having multiple minor league teams advancing deep into their respective playoffs. Still, for the first two weeks of expanded rosters the only player to make an MLB debut was Jed Bradley, a 26-year-old former prospect who was acquired midseason.
This weekend, another Braves minor leaguer will be joining the Major League roster for the first time – third baseman Rio Ruiz.
Acquired from the Houston Astros as part of the Evan Gattis trade, Ruiz has established himself as one of the better-hitting prospects in the Braves organization (MLB.com ranks as Atlanta’s 15th best prospect overall).
Though he lacks the power typically associated with third base, Ruiz does have plate discipline beyond his years and an ability to use the entire field. He also has some gap power that some scouts think will continue to develop.
Though he had a disappointing first season with the Double-A Mississippi Braves (.229/.331/.318, 5 home runs), it’s worth noting that he has consistently been one of the younger players in the league at every stop in the minors.
Despite that rough season, he was promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett for 2016. This year, he has bounced back considerably, slashing a much improved .271/.355/.400 with 10 home runs.
One potential reason for his improved performance is a new dedication to conditioning. In a piece for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, David O’Brien discusses how the 6-foot-2 Ruiz dropped from 230 pounds down to “a lean but muscular 200 pounds” in just 11 months.
In addition to helping his offensive output, Ruiz’s new, sleeker frame has given him a greater chance to stick at third base long-term.
While current Braves third baseman Adonis Garcia has played well in recent weeks, Ruiz is the most advanced corner infield prospect in the Atlanta system and could have a chance at cracking the Major League roster in 2017.
He will have some competition down the road, though. Fellow third baseman Austin Riley is just 19 but has impressed in his brief professional career. Also, given the presence of middle infielders Dansby Swanson and Ozzie Albies, midseason acquisition Travis Demeritte could be shifted from second to third.
Still, regardless what the future holds, Ruiz is now a big leaguer.
Scott Ferris covers the Braves as a Staff Writer for Outside Pitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter @ScottHFerris
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