Chris Rusin

Summary

Christopher Patrick Rusin (born October 22, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at the University of Kentucky. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, and Atlanta Braves.

Chris Rusin
Pitcher
Born: (1986-10-22) October 22, 1986 (age 37)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
August 21, 2012, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
August 3, 2020, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
Win–loss record20–28
Earned run average4.65
Strikeouts341
Teams

College career edit

Rusin, a graduate of Divine Child High School, enrolled at the University of Kentucky, where he played college baseball for the Kentucky Wildcats in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). As a junior in 2008, Rusin was named to the All-SEC first team after posting a 6–3 win–loss record and a 3.33 earned run average.[1] The Oakland Athletics drafted Rusin in the 23rd round of the 2008 MLB Draft, but he opted to return to Kentucky for his senior season.[1]

Professional career edit

Chicago Cubs edit

The Chicago Cubs selected Rusin in the fourth round, with the 140th selection of the 2009 MLB Draft, and Rusin signed.[2] Rusin started the 2010 season with the Daytona Cubs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, and was promoted to the Tennessee Smokies of the Class AA Southern League in August.[3]

After pitching for the Iowa Cubs of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in 2012, he made his major league debut for the Cubs on August 21.[2] He pitched in seven games in 2012, winning two and losing three. Rusin returned to the Iowa Cubs where he spent the 2013 season until July 2, when he was called up and started a game against the Oakland Athletics.[4] He made 13 appearances in 2013, pitching to a 3.93 ERA on the year.

Rusin was among the last players cut from the major league team in spring training in 2014.[5] Pitching for Iowa, Rusin threw a no-hitter on May 7.[6] He allowed 10 runs in 12.2 major leagues innings for the Cubs in 2014.

Colorado Rockies edit

On September 27, 2014, Rusin was acquired by the Colorado Rockies, after being placed on waivers by the Cubs.[7] In 2015, Rusin recorded a 6-10 record and 5.33 ERA in 24 games for the Rockies. In 2016, he pitched to a 3.74 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 84.1 innings of work. On August 7, 2016, he gave up Ichiro Suzuki's 3,000th hit.[8]

Rusin made 60 appearances for Colorado in 2017, registering a 5-1 record and 2.65 ERA in 85.0 innings. In 2018, Rusin appeared in 49 games for the Rockies, struggling to a 6.09 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 54.2 innings. Rusin spent the majority of the 2019 season in Triple-A with the Albuquerque Isotopes, also allowing 4 earned runs in 1.0 major league inning.[9] On June 7, 2019, Rusin was designated for assignment by the Rockies.[10] On June 12, he was outrighted to Triple-A. On October 3, 2019, Rusin elected free agency.[11]

Atlanta Braves edit

On January 18, 2020, Rusin signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves.[12][13] Rusin started 2020 in major league spring training. However, the completion of spring training and start of the regular season was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 29, Rusin was included among the Braves‘ pool of 60 players eligible to play in 2020.[14] On August 1, Rusin’s contract was selected to the 40-man roster.[15][16] Three days later, Rusin was designated for assignment,[17] then outrighted on August 6.[18] The Braves released Rusin on September 5.[19]

Colorado Rockies (second stint) edit

On April 12, 2021, Rusin signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies organization.[20] Rusin made 30 appearances in 2021 for Triple-A Albuquerque, struggling to a 10.41 ERA with only 23 strikeouts. On August 26, 2021, Rusin was released by the Rockies.[21]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Rusin returns to UK baseball team". WKYT.com. August 15, 2008. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  2. ^ a b "Chris Rusin to Make MLB Debut Tuesday". Kentucky Wildcats Athletics. August 20, 2012. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  3. ^ Kline, Adam (August 2, 2010). "Smokies add pitcher Rusin to the roster Monday". Milb.com. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  4. ^ "Derek Norris' 3-run homer caps A's rally to beat Cubs". Associated Press. July 3, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  5. ^ Birch, Tommy (April 3, 2014). "Iowa Cubs lose 10-2 in season opener". Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  6. ^ Gonzales, Mark (May 7, 2014). "Chris Rusin throws no-hitter for Iowa Cubs". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
  7. ^ Baer, Bill (September 27, 2014). "Rockies claim Chris Rusin off waivers from the Cubs". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  8. ^ Kelly, Michael (August 7, 2016). "Rusin gives up Ichiro's 3,000th hit, Rockies lose to Marlins". Associated Press. Retrieved August 4, 2020. Republished by the Greeley Tribune
  9. ^ "Chris Rusin Stats".
  10. ^ "Rockies Activate Blackmon & Davis, Designate Chris Rusin for Assignment".
  11. ^ Lowe, Kegan (October 10, 2019). "Minor league transactions: September 18–October 3, 2019". Baseball America. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  12. ^ Harrigan, Thomas (January 18, 2020). "Report: Braves agree to Minors deal with Rusin". MLB.com. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  13. ^ Hilburn-Trenkle, Chris (March 1, 2020). "Minor League Transactions". Baseball America.
  14. ^ Burns, Gabriel (June 29, 2020). "Braves announce initial player pool for 2020 season". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  15. ^ "Acuña breaks out with first HR, 2 RBI as Braves top Mets 7-1". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  16. ^ Burns, Gabriel (August 1, 2020). "Braves designate Jhoulys Chacin, promote Chris Rusin". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  17. ^ "Atlanta Braves ace Mike Soroka done for season with torn Achilles". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  18. ^ "Braves' Markakis hits walkoff HR after opting into season". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  19. ^ Hilburn-Trenkle, Chris (September 9, 2020). "Minor league transactions". Baseball America. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  20. ^ "Rockies to Sign Chris Rusin".
  21. ^ "Chris Rusin Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.

External links edit

  • Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)