Michael Rucker (baseball)

Michael Patrick Rucker (born April 27, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2021.

Michael Rucker
Chicago Cubs – No. 59
Pitcher
Born: (1994-04-27) April 27, 1994
Columbus, Mississippi, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 30, 2021, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record5–2
Earned run average4.96
Strikeouts120
Teams

Amateur career

Rucker played high school baseball while attending Auburn Riverside High School in Auburn, Washington.[1] In 2011, as a junior, he was 8–2 with a 1.51 earned run average (ERA).[2] Undrafted out of high school in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft, Rucker enrolled at Gonzaga University to play college baseball for the Bulldogs.[3] After his freshman year at Gonzaga, he transferred to Brigham Young University (BYU), where he played baseball for the Cougars.[4]

In 2016, as a junior at BYU, Rucker posted an 11–1 record, with a 2.73 ERA over 102+1⁄3 innings, earning a spot on the All-West Coast Conference First Team.[5][6] After his junior year, Rucker was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 11th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, and he signed with them for $180,000.[7][8]

Professional career

After signing, Rucker made his professional debut with the Arizona League Cubs before finishing the season with the Eugene Emeralds; in 12+2⁄3 relief innings pitched between both teams, he did not give up an earned run and was 3–0. He began 2017 with the South Bend Cubs, and after seven relief appearances in which he compiled a 1.42 ERA, he was promoted to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, where he transitioned into a starting pitcher.[9] In 20 games (15 starts) for Myrtle Beach, he was 5–5 with a 2.51 ERA.[10] He spent the 2018 season with the Tennessee Smokies,[11] going 9–6 with a 3.73 ERA in 26 starts.[12] He returned to Tennessee to begin 2019 and was promoted to the Iowa Cubs during the season.[13] Over 79+2⁄3 innings (pitched mainly in relief), Rucker compiled a 0–3 record with a 4.18 ERA and 93 strikeouts.[14]

On December 12, 2019, Rucker was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2019 Rule 5 draft.[15] On March 6, 2020, the Orioles returned Rucker to the Cubs. He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[16] To begin the 2021 season, he was assigned to Iowa.

On July 30, 2021, Chicago selected his contract and promoted him to the active roster.[17] He made his MLB debut that night against the Washington Nationals, throwing two innings of relief, giving up one run while recording one strikeout.[18] With the Cubs in 2021, he pitched 28+1⁄3 innings in relief with a 6.99 ERA and thirty strikeouts.[19]

On August 10, 2022, Rucker earned his first career win after tossing a scoreless seventh inning against the Washington Nationals.[20]

See also

References
  1. "Auburn Riverside, Rucker hitting their stride". Auburn Reporter. May 11, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  2. "Michael Rucker: BYU baseball's ace taking team to new heights". The Universe. May 24, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  3. Joe Wedra. "Brigham Young standout pitcher a good fit with Myrtle Beach Pelicans". Myhorrynews.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  4. "Chicago Cubs prospect profile: Michael Rucker". January 15, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  5. "Chicago Cubs draft BYU pitcher Michael Rucker in 11th round". June 11, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  6. "WCCSPORTS.COM :: WCC Announces 2016 Baseball All-Conference Teams :: West Coast Conference Official Athletic Site West Coast Conference Official Athletic Site :: Baseball". Wccsports.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  7. Neil K. Warner. "MLB draft day fulfills dream for BYU and UVU players". Daily Herald. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  8. "Cubs Sign Eleventh Round Pick Michael Rucker". Chicago Cubs Online. July 14, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  9. "Chicago Cubs: Pitching prospect Michael Rucker makes transition to starter". Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  10. "Michael Rucker Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  11. "Several familiar faces are back in Tennessee for today's home opener including Southern League all-star Jason Vosler". 247Sports.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  12. "Michael Rucker Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  13. "2019 Chicago Cubs Affiliate Preview: Tennessee Smokies' Starting Pitchers Look to Impress". April 2, 2019.
  14. Jim Callis (December 12, 2019). "Scouting the Rule 5 Draft picks". MLB.com. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  15. Jon Meoli (December 12, 2019). "Orioles select pitchers Brandon Bailey, Michael Rucker in Rule 5 draft". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  16. "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com.
  17. "Cubs' Michael Rucker: Contract selected Friday". CBSSports.com.
  18. McGraw, Mike (July 30, 2021). "Bryant, Baez, Kimbrel, Williams, Marisnick gone: Deadline Day = Demolition Day for Cubs". Daily Herald. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  19. "Michael Rucker College & Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  20. "Cubs' Michael Rucker: Earns first MLB win". cbssports.com. August 11, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
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