Chance Ruffin

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #27 prospect in 2013
  Ruffin followed in his father Bruce's footsteps, starring at Texas, going in the first 50 picks in the draft and getting to the big leagues in his first full pro season. Signed for $1.15 million by the Tigers in 2010, he reached Detroit the following July. Five days later, the Tigers included him in a trade package for Doug Fister. Ruffin pitched well in Seattle after the deal, but he spent all of 2012 in Triple-A and the results weren't pretty. His control and command haven't been as polished as they were in college, though his stuff is still solid. His fastball sits in the 90-93 mph range and reaches 95. He has a quick arm, and the ball jumps out of his hand from his low three-quarters arm slot. He has an out pitch in his plus slider with late break. His curveball and changeup are both below-average but give hitters something else to think about. In the past, Ruffin just reared back and threw, but the Mariners are working to make his delivery quicker and more efficient. He lands on a stiff front leg and throws across his body, hurting his ability to locate his pitches where he wants. His long arm swing in the back and lower release point make it easy for lefthanders to pick up his pitches, and they hit .294/.348/.516 against him last year. Ruffin has the upside of a set-up man if he can cut down on his walks, and he'll break in as a middle reliever in Seattle because the team has better options ahead of him. He'll likely head back to Tacoma to start 2013.
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #7 prospect in 2012
  Like his father Bruce, Ruffin starred at Texas, went in the top 50 picks as a free-agent compensation choice and reached the majors in his first full pro season. He led NCAA Division I in strikeouts per nine innings (13.5) while ranking second in ERA (1.11) and third in saves (14) in 2010 before signing with the Tigers for $1.15 million. The fourth player from the 2010 draft to get to the big leagues, he was the player to be named in the Doug Fister trade in July. Ruffin is undersized but has quality stuff and a fearless mound presence. His best pitch is a wipeout slider that has two-plane break and usually ranges from 81-83 mph. His fastball sits between 92-95 mph with late life, giving him a second plus pitch. He also has a slurvy 76-78 mph curveball he can mix in to give hitters a different look. He'll need to tighten his control and command, which weren't as sharp as advertised as he flew threw the minors. With his size, stuff, makeup and alma mater, he elicits comparisions to Huston Street. Ruffin pitched exclusively in the majors after the trade and may stick there to open the 2012 season. He has the upside of a closer but likely will settle into a middle-relief role this year.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #7 prospect in 2011
  The son of lefthander Bruce Ruffin, who pitched 12 seasons in the majors, Chance followed in his father's footsteps by attending Texas. He moved to the Longhorns bullpen as a junior last spring and led NCAA Division I in strikeouts per nine innings (13.5) while ranking second in ERA (1.11) and third in saves (14). He signed at the deadline for $1.15 million as a sandwich pick. Because of his size, stuff, makeup and alma mater, Ruffin draws comparisons to former Longhorns closer Huston Street. Ruffin's fastball sat at 89-91 mph when he was a starter, and it has jumped to 90-93 mph and gotten as high as 95 since he became a reliever. His fastball also has tremendous life, but his 78-82 mph wipeout slider is easily his best pitch--and the best slider in the Tigers system. He'll also mix in a curveball against lefthanders and an occasional changeup, though he'll likely scrap the latter pitch as a reliever. While some scouts believed Ruffin could succeed as a starter, the Tigers intend to put him on the fast track as a reliever. They sent him to the Arizona Fall League for his first exposure to pro ball. He'll likely start 2011 in Double-A, but his polished repertoire and no-nonsense mentality on the mound give him a chance to appear in Detroit later in the season.

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Like his father Bruce, Ruffin starred at Texas, went in the top 50 picks as a free-agent compensation choice and reached the majors in his first full pro season. He led NCAA Division I in strikeouts per nine (13.5) ranked second in ERA (1.11) and third in saves (14) in 2010 before signing with the Tigers for $1.15 million. The fourth player from the 2010 draft to get to the majors, he was the player to be named in the Doug Fister trade in July.Scouting Report: Ruffin is undersized but has quality stuff and a fearless mound presence. His best pitch is a wipeout slide that has two-plane break and usually ranges from 81-83 mph. His fastball sits between 92-95 mph with late life, giving him a second plus pitch. He also has a slurvy 76-78 mph curveball he can mix in to give hitters a different look. He'll need to tighten his control and command, which weren't as sharp as advertised as he flew threw the minors. The Future: Ruffin pitched exclusively in Seattle after the trade and may stick there to open the season. He has closer stuff but likely will settle into a middle-relief role this year.