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Justin Ruggiano Takes A Trip To The Swing Mechanic Jaime Cevallos

Jaime Cevallos is a well known man around these parts. As co-star of the Zobrist code, he is widely credited for being part of the process that turned Ben Zobrist into Zorilla. Well if Cevallos is as good as advertised, we should be hearing a lot more from the "swing mechanic." In addition to working with Arizona Fall League breakout, Nevin Ashley, Cevallos has added Rays outfielder Justin Ruggiano to his growing roster of clients.

Ruggiano, 27, is pretty much at the same point in his career that Zobrist was when he and Cevallos connected. Never really a prospect, Ruggiano has accumulated nearly 100 unimpressive plate appearances with the Rays since 2007. He is mostly remembered for his fantastic game saving catch in late 2008 than anything at the plate.

A member of the Rays 40 man roster, Ruggiano, spent the entire 2009 season in the minors hitting .253/.330/.412. The .741 OPS is his lowest at any level (min .130 PA) since joining the Rays in 2006.With the urging of Zobrist, Ruggiano is hoping Cevallos can use his Mkanx system and get the most of out his stroke. "The difference between Jaime and other hitting coaches is that Jaime truly is a swing mechanic," said Ruggiano. "He has the ability to pick apart your swing and get you into the best possible hitting positions."

More on Ruggiano and The Swing Mechanic...

Star-divide

A unique aspect of this partnership, rooted in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in which both reside, is the accountability being taken by Cevallos. Although Cevallos wouldn't get into the specifics of the deal, he did say, "There are bonuses involved based on his performance. It holds me accountable, which is the way I like it."

The pair started working out earlier this month and looking at the roster construction, Ruggiano is facing an uphill battle. Beside incumbent starters Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton, the Rays outfield options include: Matt Joyce, Gabe Kapler, Fernando Perez and possibility, but less likely Desmond Jennings (at least early on). Zobrist could also be thrown in the mix if you like.

Many remain skeptical of Cevallos's success, but the only way to see if his teachings are the real deal or not is to increase the sample size. With Zobrist, Ashley, Ruggiano and Cincinnati Reds infielder, Drew Sutton, that size is slowly increasing. Time will tell if success will follow. Good luck to Justin and Jaime.

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The line for the Ruggiano bandwagon begins here...all aboard!

if nothing else this makes Ruggiano at least interesting again. I dont think Zobrist’s case is going to be typical, but Ruggiano has nothing to lose and if he becomes good then the Rays add more depth.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Nov 16, 2009 6:55 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

1st in line!

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Nov 16, 2009 7:06 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Do you know when he started working with Ashley?

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Nov 16, 2009 7:01 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I can ask for a more specific date, but definitely before this past season

and Ashley was pretty crappy as you know this year. I’m still not sold that his AFL stats are not just that…AFL stats. Or maybe he was just a slow learner.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Nov 16, 2009 7:05 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Ruggs also had a laser eye surgery (not lasik) before the 2009 season.

It took nearly three months for him to see correctly.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Nov 16, 2009 7:23 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Ruggiano didn't hit anything all season

May was his only month with an OPS over .700.

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Nov 16, 2009 8:16 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Hasn't he been characterized as having attitude issues?

If so, this could be a step in the right direction, a willingness for private instruction

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Nov 16, 2009 8:22 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

he is definitely known in Durham for having a bad attitude.

that said, I swear this guy has the potential to hit 25 HR’s if he gets his act together.

by bullsrayz on Nov 16, 2009 10:20 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Wow, didn't realize he was such a hacker

Monster K rates north of 30% all 3 seasons in AAA, he needs Zobrist’s discipline guidance more so than swing tips

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Nov 16, 2009 8:25 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Ruggs,

Shorten up your swing, be more selective at the plate, and kidnap Gabe Kaplar and Desmond Jennings. There! I am a miracle worker!

In the name of Shinji Mori, we shall win!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Nov 16, 2009 9:39 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I guess

since he hit .227 last year, and has a .247 career avg, I probably should have left him off the list, since he has the worst carrer average of the group

Pena .247
Navarro .253
Burrell .254
Upton .266

Pena has seriously regressed:
2007 .282 avg
2008 .247 avg
2009 .227 avg

Yes, his OBP and OPS are both acceptable, but how much more productive would he be if he could put up .260-.270. What affect would that have on Upton, CC, Longoria and Burrell in regard to the pitches they would see?

by Blue or CONKZILLA on Nov 17, 2009 2:52 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Meh, Pena's 280 was luck.

He’s a 240-260 hitter with power and OBP. Going to the swing mechanic isn’t going to help him considering he all ready has a good swing. Cevallos work is about maximizing your ideal swing, not passing down the same swing technique from player to player. Zobrist’s physical skills and ideal swing plane are very different from Pena’s.

by Suttree on Nov 17, 2009 9:09 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Also

Reply fail

Why do you kill threads????

by Some other guy who does not care on Nov 17, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs


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