Justin Ruggiano

Justin Ruggiano
Ruggiano with the Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers – No. 25
Outfielder
Born: (1982-04-12) April 12, 1982 Austin, Texas
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 19, 2007, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
MLB statistics (through 2015 season)
Batting average	.256
Home runs	49
Runs batted in	152
Teams
Tampa Bay Devil Rays / Rays (2007–2008, 2011) Miami Marlins (2012–2013) Chicago Cubs (2014) Seattle Mariners (2015) Los Angeles Dodgers (2015)

Justin Ruggiano

Medal record
Men’s baseball
Representing United States
Baseball World Cup
	2007 Tianmu	National team

Justin Marshall Ruggiano (born April 12, 1982) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays / Rays, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Baseball career

Texas A&M

Ruggiano attended Texas A&M University, where he played college baseball for the Texas A&M Aggies baseball team.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Ruggiano in the 25th round of the 2004 MLB Draft. The Dodgers sent Ruggiano to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2006, with Dioner Navarro and Jae Weong Seo for Toby Hall, Mark Hendrickson and cash.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays / Rays

Ruggiano made his Major League Baseball debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2007. On October 19, 2007, Ruggiano was added to the roster of the United States national baseball team to play in the 2007 Baseball World Cup.

In 2008, he batted .197 for Tampa Bay in 76 at bats. Ruggiano became part of a historical play in the 2008 World Series when Rays manager Joe Maddon moved Ruggiano from right field to become a fifth infielder, playing directly behind the second base bag.

Ruggiano during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011

During the 2010–11 offseason, Ruggiano was designated for assignment. He designated for assignment again after the 2011 season and on January 30, 2012, he elected free agency.

Houston Astros

On February 6, 2012, he signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.

Miami Marlins

On May 26, 2012, Ruggiano was traded to the Miami Marlins for minor league catcher Jobduan Morales. He was called up to Miami the next day, and Kevin Mattison was optioned to Triple-A. After playing well in June, Ruggiano heated up in July. He ended the first half of the season with 6 home runs (4 in the last 6 games), 17 RBIs, and a batting average of .390. On September 21, Ruggiano injured his shoulder in the fifth inning in agame against the New York Mets. He finished the season batting .313 with 13 homers, 36 RBIs, 23 doubles, a .374 on-base percentage(OBP), and a .909 on-base slug percentage(OPS).

Chicago Cubs

On December 12, 2013, the Marlins traded Ruggiano to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Brian Bogusevic. As a part-time outfielder during the 2014 season he played in 81 games before requiring surgery on his left ankle. Ruggiano finished the 2014 season hitting .281/.337/.429 in 224 at-bats, with six home runs and 28 RBIs.

Seattle Mariners

On December 17, 2014, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for minor leaguer Matt Brazis. He was designated for assignment on June 4, 2015. He cleared waivers and was assigned outright to the class AAA Tacoma Rainiers.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On August 31, 2015, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations, and on September 1 was added to the active roster. He played in 21 games for the Dodgers in September (mostly starting against left handed pitching) and hit .291 with four homers and 12 RBI. On November 5, he was outrighted to the minors and removed from the 40 man roster. On November 6, he chose to become a free agent rather than accept an assignment to the minors.

Texas Rangers

On December 17, 2015, Ruggiano signed a one year deal with the Texas Rangers.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
• Justin Ruggiano on Twitter