Is Ruggiano Hurt?

by Hazleton Jason on Jul 16, 2008 10:59 AM EDT

I was doing my normal weekly routine of checking up on the stats of the Rays minor leaguers-----and have not been shy about my man-love for Justin Ruggiano---- I went to look more depth at his stats and noticed that he hasn't played for Durham since July 5th. I was wondering if he was on the DL there or something.

I would prefer he get called up in place of Gomes for the rest of the season, but doubt the Rays will give up on Jonny yet, as he has no options.

The only scenerio keeping Ruggs out of RF on a semi-full time basis in '09 IMHO would be a free agent signing to play RF next year... Anyway, just curious to see if any of you had some news on if he is hurt or not...

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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He is on the DL, I don't recall why though.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 16, 2008 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

Why be shy about this "man-love"....

Ruggiano = Shane Victorino ( In My Opinion Of Course )

Mound Visit

by Mound Visit on Jul 16, 2008 11:23 AM EDT reply actions

not ashamed at all

I have been pretty obnoxious about Ruggianio’s lack of “shot” for awhile now. I can understand why the Rays wouldn’t just “dump” Gomes to make room. If Gomes has any value at all Friedco will do what they can to get something for him-the Rays aren’t in a position to just give up players for nothing (see Jason Hammel, and Gary Glover).

Keeping Ruggs in AAA, playing every day will only make him more prepared to take the position next spring. I have feeling Floyd is going to retire at the end of this season, the Rays will have traded Hinske, or let him walk, and probably done sometihng with Gomes. There will be an oppurtunity for Ruggiano to be a big part of this team next year.

Now if the Rays decide to go get Nady or Bay or Holliday, that changes a little, but there will probably be a DH spot opening for the 4th OF or Dan Johnson next season…

by Hazleton Jason on Jul 16, 2008 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't see why Hinske

couldn’t be the long-term DH for us. I can’t think of a better in-house option and I’m sure he would resign at a reasonable price considering the opportunity we game him and all that.

by Vin on Jul 16, 2008 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

as long as it's a platoon....

and Hinkse only sees right handed hurlers…I have no problem with that.

Mound Visit

by Mound Visit on Jul 16, 2008 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

But then where would we put Barry?

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Jul 16, 2008 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

ruggiano/gross in RF and hinkse/baldelli as DH would be just wonderful

they should just get rid of gomes since he sucks this year and call up ruggiano to platoon with gabe gross everyone would love this platoon as gross has some pop in his bat and ruggiano is good at getting on base more and hinske could be CPY and IF rocco comes back he can be the RH DH that will face mostly lefties

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Like that one...and all 4 can spell each other if there's an injury or they just need a day...

by arkansasraysfan on Jul 17, 2008 2:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Why sell Gomes when his stock is so low?

I don’t think we can afford to give up on the Johnny Experiment just yet.

B Rad the Ray Fan
9 = 8

by BWoodrum on Jul 17, 2008 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

because his stock isnt going up anytime soon

ya he hits some HR’s but thats about it, right now he is a lesser verision of russell branyan and all he does is strike out and hit a HR every once in awhile

by RaysOfHope on Jul 17, 2008 12:56 PM EDT reply actions

exactly

Gomes has gotten weaker and weaker in the lineup- I swear, if he didint burst on the seen with titanic Homeruns in ‘05 we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
His defense is piss-poor, and all he does is K and homer (occasionally)

Either way, I still would prefer not to stunt Ruggi’s growth by occasionally hitting in the ML lineup, let him season some more at AAA and give him a shot at the job next spring… For now, play Hinske 80% the time and sub Gross every 7th inning for Defensive reasons…

If they trade Hinske by the deadline, call Ruggi up and straight up give him the job-

by Hazleton Jason on Jul 17, 2008 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions