More than two weeks into spring training, Miami Marlins outfielder Esteury Ruiz has recorded only two hits. Overall, though, he has still made a positive impression on his new organization.
“One of the more important things for me is to get on base so that way I can show my talent with my speed and baserunning,” Ruiz told Fish On First earlier this spring.
From that standpoint, the 27-year-old journeyman is thriving. Through seven Grapefruit League games, he owns a .381 on-base percentage with a team-leading four stolen bases.
“It’s real game-changing, elite speed and that’s something that can really be weaponized at various points in the game, whether he’s starting or something within a game, to be able to have someone that has that type of game-changing ability on the bases,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said following Ruiz’s spring debut on February 22. “He’s been a performer in the major leagues in the past, and he’s been a very good upper-level minor league player. Offensively, there’s more in there. This guy can defend, and he can really run. There’s some sneaky impact in his bat for someone his size. He really brings a nice dynamic, and a lot of ways that can impact a roster.”
The Marlins acquired Ruiz from the Los Angeles Dodgers in an offseason trade, sending pitching prospect Adriano Marrero the other way. He spent most of the 2025 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he slashed .304/.412/.511/.923 with 16 home runs, 61 RBI, 63 stolen bases and a 137 wRC+.
Ruiz mentioned how his batting stance was one of the big keys to his success at the minor league level, including standing more upright in the box.
Ruiz is one of two right-handed-hitting outfielders on the Marlins 40-man roster, with Heriberto Hernández being the other. His handedness, speed and center field experience make him a potential contributor in the big leagues, but so far in his MLB career, he only has a .296 OBP. That’s why it is encouraging to see such a disciplined approach from him this spring. He entered Saturday with an incredibly low 6.1% chase rate.
It might take a red-hot finish to the spring or an outfield injury to fit Ruiz onto the Marlins Opening Day roster. Fortunately, he has one minor league option remaining for the club to use if needed.