Esteury Ruiz #1 of the Oakland Athletics races around the bases on March 31, 2024, at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Oakland Athletics recalled Dominican Republic outfielder Esteury Ruiz from Triple-A Sacramento on April 15. Ruiz made his first appearance since being called up on Monday night as a pinch-hitter and belted a home run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Ruiz, 25, was born in Azua, Dominican Republic, and has played two seasons in Major League Baseball with the San Diego Padres in 2022, the Milwaukee Brewers in 2022, and the Athletics in 2023.
Ruiz played in 11 games to start 2024 with Triple-A Las Vegas and batted .326 in 52 plate appearances, roping 14 hits, two doubles, three home runs, eight RBI, seven stolen bases, six walks, and 10 strikeouts before he was called up.
Oakland optioned Ruiz to Las Vegas on April 1.
Ruiz played in three games to start the 2024 season at home against the Cleveland Guardians and batted .479 in eight plate appearances with three hits, one double, one triple, one RBI, one stolen base, and one strikeout.
During spring training, Ruiz played in 25 games, hitting .236 with 61 plate appearances, smacking 13 hits, four doubles, one triple, one home run, nine RBI, two stolen bases, five walks, and 19 strikeouts.
The Athletics acquired Ruiz on December 12, 2022, from the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-team trade in which the Atlanta Braves acquired catcher Sean Murphy. The Brewers acquired catcher William Contreras, right-handed pitcher Joel Payamps, and right-handed pitcher Justin Yeager, resulting in the Athletics acquiring catcher Manny Piña, left-handed pitcher Kyle Muller, right-handed pitcher Freddy Tarnok, and right-handed pitcher Royber Salinas during the Murphy trade.
Ruiz led the American League in stolen bases during 2023 in Oakland with 67 and was caught 13 times.
Ruiz exceeded his rookie limits 2023 and is pre-arbitration eligible with his contract status for the 2024 regular season.
Last season in Oakland, Ruiz played in 132 games and batted .254 with 490 plate appearances, recording 114 hits, 24 doubles, one triple, five home runs, 47 RBI, 20 walks, 99 strikeouts, and a .654 OPS.