Worst batter in the league after transfer… Former Samsung giant, will this year be okay?

Darin Ruff (37, New York Mets), who played a big role as the 4th hitter in the KBO League Samsung for 3 years (2017-2019), chose a re-challenge in the major leagues in 2020 and achieved great success. Although he signed a minor league contract, he has established himself in the major leagues, and is enjoying his prime, receiving a higher rating than in his 20s, especially being recognized for his strength against lefties.

In fact, from 2020 to 2022, Ruff’s performance in San Francisco was remarkable. He appeared in 247 games over two and a half years and made a name for himself as an OPS (on base percentage + slugging percentage) type hitter. During this period, he had a batting average of 0.248, but had a high on-base percentage of 0.358 and added 32 homers for an OPS of .814. His OPS during this period was 24% above league average.

The New York Mets, who are challenging for the championship with bold investments, highly valued the strength of Ruff and ventured to trade last year. He wasn’t a top prospect, but he still invested four players for the rough. However, Ruff has not been able to get out of the swamp of sluggishness after transferring to the New York Mets.

Ruff stayed with a batting average of 0.152 in 28 games after the transfer. He also had an OPS of 0.413. The rough’s OPS+ was 20, down from the 124 he recorded in San Francisco. During this period, he was almost the last among players with more than 50 plate appearances.

There were difficult times, such as when the New York media poured intensive fire on the sluggish performance, and manager Buck Showalter himself explained Ruff’s position in the team. There is no time for rough. His two-year, $6.25 million contract in San Francisco ends this year. It is difficult to predict what the position will be in the future if the Mets, whose goal is to win, cannot secure a spot at the beginning of the season.메이저놀이터

Plus, the beginning of the year has been slow. Rough still hasn’t entered spring training normally. He doesn’t even play in an exhibition match. It’s because of his wrist injury. He is expected to return sooner or later, but it is unknown when his first exhibition appearance will be. In the meantime, the stronger Mets lineup is putting the pieces together.

As there is a league-class hitter named Pete Alonso at first base, the use of rough is likely to be a left-handed designated hitter or backup first baseman. That’s what the Mets wanted when they acquired Ruff. Attention is focusing on whether Ruff at the crossroads will be able to escape from the crisis once again.