For all but three games, John Ruettiger‘s brief 40-game professional career has been spent at Delmarva.
One of the few bright spots from a wretched second half of 2011 where the Shorebirds staggered home with a 20-50 record and a 14-game losing streak, the Illinois native and product of Arizona State University has a pretty famous uncle named Rudy but is trying to establish his own name in a different sport.
And the Orioles are noticing, as the younger Ruettiger went 4-for-11 in 12 spring training games with the big club. Perhaps they’ve seen the fact that John is sporting a .316/0/15/.771 OPS in his 37 games with Delmarva dating back to last year. And since Ruettiger won’t turn 22 until after this season, he’s at a professional level which is probably appropriate for his development but one where’s he hitting for a high average. He may be moved rather quickly, though, given that he was an eighth round selection last season by the Orioles (he was also picked in the 35th round by Texas in 2008, but chose to go to college.)
One area where John has improved his game from his initial campaign is utilizing his speed. While he went just 2-for-6 in steals last year, Ruettiger is tied for third in the league (and leads the Shorebirds) with 8 stolen bases, being caught just once.
Rolling on a nine-game hitting streak – a stretch where he’s hitting .400 – John may not make it though the entire Delmarva season without being plucked by the Orioles and promoted to Frederick; fortunately for Delmarva fans the Keys outfield is holding its own so far. But that may not last, and it’s beginning to look like Ruettiger will need a new challenge soon.
