Down on the Farm: Chance Ruffin’s Hat is Running out of Real-Estate

In February I completed a prospect profile on reliever Chance Ruffin. Ruffin was the 48th overall pick in the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Tigers. The most random yet amazing tidbit of info that I could dig up was in regards to his cap. Apparently Ruffin keeps track of his strikeout victims on his cap for motivation. Hopefully Ruffin is writing small because the strikeouts are piling up this season!

In 27 1/3 innings, Ruffin has racked up 37 strikeouts in the closer role for the SeaWolves. He has posted a 3-3 record with a 2.63 ERA and 7 saves. Opponents are hitting just .196 against him and he has issued 15 walks. The lofty walk ratio is perhaps his only blemish for Ruffin this season. However, his ability to limit hits and make batters swing and miss make him a serious prospect.

Ruffin continues to torment Eastern League batters and will likely be promoted to AAA-Toledo at some point this season. He is currently not a member of the Detroit Tigers 40 man roster. However, I don’t see him very far away from being able to contribute in the Tigers ‘pen. He has handled the pressure of closing games very well and has had an amazing season thus far.

Keep an eye on Chance Ruffin as he continues to earn his stripes down on the farm.

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