The Phillies will recall outfielder Domonic Brown and option Darin Ruf following today’s game, the team announced (via Twitter).
Brown was once Baseball America’s top prospect in baseball (ahead of Mike Trout no less). The 27-year-old has not lived up to expectations with a career .248/.308/.412 in 1,544 plate appearances. He missed the early portion of this season with left Achilles tendinitis. During his time in the minors, he hit .260/.315/.366 with slightly weaker numbers in 228 Triple-A plate appearances. The club would certainly like for the once toolsy prospect to feature some of the power, speed, and contact ability that was once expected of him.
Ruf’s demotion is somewhat expected given a modest .238/.282/.386 slash in 110 plate appearances. The Phillies consider the righty to be a situational hitter. True to form, he’s mashed southpaws this year with a .400/.436/.629 line in 39 plate appearances. Given that he had options available, it’s reasonable for the club to temporarily move the 28-year-old to Triple-A. He’s liable to return to the majors if Ben Revere or Ryan Howard are traded.
Moving those deck chairs.
Deck chairs on a submarine….nice
Way to counter the Buxton call up, Amaro! Dodgers call up Seager, I’m fully expecting you to activate Mike Schmidt.
This dude crapping out has hurt the Phillies recent past and future more than any player. When he finally started to get it, he turns back into a pumpkin…. Imagine Bryant,abuxton, or this seager kid just crapping out! Brown was the number #1 prospect in all of baseball at one point ….. Ugh
Dominic Brown can’t hit AAA pitching. He isn’t going to hit major league pitching. Ruf was hitting lefties fairly well. Brown isn’t hitting lefties or righties well. However, Amaro has long been enamored with Brown and I guess he was dying to see him struggle in the majors
Why not see if Brown can get it going and maybe move him at the deadline? Nothing to lose.
He actually hit Major League pitching Better !
Brown has had one great 6 week period that made him an all-star that season. He’s been poor other than that stretch. He still has the same loop in his swing that he had when he first came up. He will always be inconsistent unless he changes his swing. He hasn’t done that yet.
Ruben Should try to send Howard to the Angels…which would allow Ruf to be called back up to play 1st…..
I’d give Howard and Utley to the Angels and pay most of their salaries. Forget about all of their players except Franco, Giles, Quinn, Nola, and Crawford. The Hamels trade will net 2 or 3 more top prospects. Stassi will be the 1st baseman next year, until a suitable replacement is found.
Lively is a nice piece as well.
As is Eflin
Stassi will platoon with Ruf, if Stassi ever makes the big leagues.
Phillies saw a very familiar situation with Jake Fox last year, who killed it at Reading then left as a FA.
Brown is the example why prospects are commodities. Sometimes they blow up in your face and lose all value.
This is what I’ve been saying about these so called Golden Boys , Come back and see how many of them First , Make it , second , stay more 4 or 5 years. Brown is the classic case !
If you’re considered a top 10 prospect, you generally have a decent career. Go back and look at some lists, they’re not nearly as hit and miss as you think.
Hopefully this ends the Darin Ruf debate in Philadelphia.
I would imagine that they are just sending him down to get everyday ABs, or else why not option Asche, who wasn’t hit at all since being called back up.
Phils need to get rid of amaro
Why? Darin Ruf doesn’t have near the upside Brown has.
Amaro has to go for more reasons then just this move. Brown has failed in 3 of his 5 MLB seasons, can’t play any MLB positions at an average level and is truly a 1 dimensional player (power), and even that hasn’t played well in CBP.
Plus now your backup 1B is.. Utley? I doubt you want to move Franco away from 3B because you expect him to play there regularly for the next 7 years.
Hopefully this season of declining attendance will finally cook the Goose, in defense of Ruben though, Between injuries and Bad declining performance of Stars players has killed them. Where he does have complete responsibility is the Bad Contacts given out.
Cashsmen has been Lucky ( so Far ) in New York, with the Old ,over payed ,Often Injured, PED users he put on the field !Sooner or later though Chickens come home to Roost !
Cashman has 1 PED user..
And he still on them now, Just got a more Better Chemist !
Don’t compare RAJ and Cashman like they’re the same. Amaro held onto Brown. Cashman turned Jesus Montero into Michael Piñeda. That list goes on and on with examples of Cashman getting creative.
Ruf is not in the Phillies plan. Why is that so difficult? Giles and Franco will be joined by Crawford, Nola, and Quinn when he recovers next year. Asche, Gavis, and Hernandez are part timers. We need a second baseman, first baseman, catcher, and a right fielder. We’ll acquire 2 or 3 pieces when Hamels is traded. Folks, this is obvious to see. Open your eyes. Howard, Utley will be gone through retirement and trade. Papelbon and Revere will get 1 or 2 more pieces.
Why is it hard to understand that the Phillies send down a guy in Darin Ruf who almost won a MiLB triple crown? Darin Ruf was the most poorly used player in Philadelphia since Roy Oswalt lost a playoff game as a reliever. He should be platooning with Howard at 1B or with Asche in left. Hes been arguably the Phillies best hitter against LHP this season, and could be a long-term platoon bat if he was used properly.
At this point, I don’t even know if Giles is long term, and btw, the Phillies view Galvis as a potential long term 2B option. And from the players you listed as ‘long term guys.’ That isn’t a great group. Crawford and Franco can be very, very good, Quinn is Ben Revere with slightly better power and slightly better defense, Nola is projected as a 3 starter with 2 starter upside. Giles’ velo is down 2 MPH from last year alone. Revere isn’t gonna bring back anything of value, they can hope for a similar return that Marlon Byrd brought.
Giles should be in play. Lockdown relievers are coveted and he hasn’t helped his cause in Philly by acting like a 12 year old.
It was one time because he disagreed with an IBB call. I don’t mind it. I minded Sandberg getting in his face afterward more then I minded Giles getting upset.
Agreed ! In the mean time its like getting Drunk and Waking up next to ugly Woman in Bed !
Is this a sign that Revere is about to be traded? Where does Brown play unless its a RF platoon with Francouer?