Esteury Ruiz DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired outfielder Esteury Ruiz from the Athletics in exchange for right-handed pitcher Carlos Duran. Ruiz was recently designated for assignment by the Athletics. In 2023, Ruiz enjoyed an everyday role in Oakland as he posted a .254/.309/.345 slash line across 132 contests. While he did not make an impact with his bat, he was elite on the basepaths as he swiped 67 bases, which were the most in the American League. In 2024, Ruiz appeared in just 29 MLB contests and held a .200/.270/.382 line. The 26-year-old will report to Triple-A Oklahoma and attempt to work his way back to the major leagues. Duran has yet to reach the major leagues. In 2024, he spent time at Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A and held an overall 3.71 ERA with a 1.58 WHIP across 53 1/3 innings. Fantasy managers should expect Duran to see opportunities at Triple-A Las Vegas and could push to make his MLB debut later in the summer.

The Athletics have designated outfielder Esteury Ruiz for assignment. This transaction opened the spot for left-handed pitcher Angel Perdomo, whom the team claimed off waivers from the Angels. Ruiz appeared in 132 contests for the A's during the 2023 campaign and posted a .254/.309/.345 slash line with 24 doubles and one home run. He swiped an impressive 67 bags, which led the American League. However, in 2024, Ruiz appeared in just 29 games at the MLB level and held a modest .200/.270/.382 slash line with five stolen bases. Ruiz will return to Triple-A Las Vegas if he is not claimed on waivers. Fantasy managers should expect Perdomo to compete for a role in the Athletics' bullpen and will likely have a role as a middle-relief option.

The Athletics optioned outfielder Esteury Ruiz, right-handers J.T. Ginn, Elvis Alvarado and Grant Holman and third baseman Darell Hernaiz to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday. Ruiz, 26, led all of baseball with 67 stolen bases in his first year with the Athletics after being acquired in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, but he struggled in 2024 and was optioned to the minors. Ruiz finished last year with a .200/.270/.382 slash line, a .652 OPS, two home runs, eight RBI and only five steals in just 29 games played in Oakland. He still has plenty of speed, but he's fallen way down the team's outfield depth chart and will have to work his way back to the big leagues in 2025. Ginn, 25, lost out on a starting rotation spot in camp by posting an ugly 7.62 ERA and 1.85 WHIP with 16 strikeouts and eight walks in five Cactus League appearances. He'll provide rotation depth in Vegas to open the year.

Athletics outfielder Esteury Ruiz is viewed as the "odd man out" in the outfield and not expected to make the Opening Day roster. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com noted that Miguel Andujar and Seth Brown are projected to have more significant roles as depth options. Last season, Ruiz appeared in just 29 MLB contests. During this stint, he posted a .200/.270/.382 slash line with two home runs and five stolen bases. While he generated a weak .189 xBA, he showcased elite speed as he placed in the 95th percentile in sprint speed. In 2023, Ruiz swiped an incredible 67 bags (most in the American League) and held a .254/.309/.345 slash line across 132 games. As a result, fantasy managers should expect the 26-year-old to open the campaign at the Triple-A level. He may have value in deeper category formats if he were to return to the majors later in the summer.

Athletics outfielder Esteury Ruiz is in the starting lineup for their spring opener on Saturday afternoon. Ruiz will cover left field and bat in the six-hole. Ruiz only appeared in 29 contests for the Athletics last season as he was limited by a wrist injury. He ended the campaign on the 60-day injured list. Across his small stint, Ruiz swiped five bags and held a .200 AVG. During the 2023 season, Ruiz posted a .254/.309/.345 line with an impressive 67 stolen bases. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training, as he will likely be competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Ruiz will likely compete alongside prospect Colby Thomas for a corner outfield spot. If he does earn a spot, he will have value in deeper formats, given his elite speed upside.