Rio Ruiz had been a solid part of the Baltimore Orioles lineup before everything fell apart. While he was primarily a third baseman over his career, he started seeing time at second and first, his versatility helping the Orioles keep a somewhat competent bat in the lineup as they continued to rebuild.
Then it all fell apart in 2021. After two disastrous months, he was placed on waivers and claimed by the Rockies. That change of scenery did nothing as he was even worse in his 40 plate appearances in Colorado before being sent to Triple-A.
Former Baltimore Orioles infielder Rio Ruiz looking for new job
However, Ruiz was just 27 years old at the end of the year. As he was entering his theoretical prime, there was the chance that he could find his form once again. That quest to eventually earn another major league opportunity took Ruiz to the Korean Baseball Organization as he had signed with the LG Twins.
That move has not worked out as hoped. Ruiz was a disaster in the KBO, posting a .155/.234/.262 batting line in his 94 plate appearances, hitting four doubles and a homer. That lack of production has led to his being released by the Twins as they look for another foreign bat in their lineup.
Ruiz had his moments of success at the major league level. While his .229/.299/.393 batting line in 683 combined plate appearances between 2019 and 2020 may not be All Star caliber, they were certainly solid enough for a utility infield option.
Maybe that can happen again for Ruiz. Maybe he can find another opportunity, be it in another foreign league or in Winter Ball to show that he still has something left. However, that is not going to happen with the Twins.
Former Baltimore Orioles infielder Rio Ruiz had hoped to resurrect his career with the LG Twins. Instead, his stint in the KBO was a disaster.