Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf showed some promising pop when he appeared in several MLB games down the stretch last season, but the scouting report on him says that his defense needs improvement. Minor league players have nightmares about making that one bonehead play in spring training that could keep them off the major league roster, and that nightmare may have become a reality for Ruf on Monday afternoon.
During the second inning of a 17-10 loss to the Atlanta Braves, Ruff backpedaled for what appeared to be a routine fly ball that he was going to be able to snag on the warning track. Instead, he jumped awkwardly and the ball popped out of his glove and landed over the fence for a home run.
Spring training may not matter to us, but it certainly matters to the guy who is a converted first baseman trying to prove he can be a viable outfielder. It wasn’t the first embarrassing flub for the Phillies this year, but the Hooters ballgirl can afford it more than Ruf can. The good news is he’s only 26. At least there’s still time.
Video via The Outside Corner
