Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

7 things you may not know about Rio Ruiz

The Braves acquired Rio Ruiz and pitchers Mike Foltynewicz and Andrew Thurman from the Astros for catcher/DH Evan Gattis and pitcher James Hoyt on Jan. 14, 2015. Ruiz committed to play football and baseball for USC, but signed with the Astros when drafted in the fourth round. He was a quarterback and safety in football. He committed to play baseball for USC when he was a high school freshman. His first big league hit was a triple off Jeanmar Gomez of the Phillies on Sept. 28, 2016. That remains his only t
By
Feb 21, 2018

Braves third-base prospect Rio Ruiz is out of options and playing first base, too, this spring as he tries to make the 25-man roster when the Braves break camp late next month.

Ruiz was born May 22, 1994 in Covina, Calif. He was drafted in the fourth round (129th overall) of the 2012 draft by the Houston Astros and made his major league debut with the Braves on Sept. 18, 2016.

> More: Rio's thoughts on playing first and competition at third

About the Author

David Wellham has worked as an editor and content producer at the AJC since 2006, but his knowledge of sports in metro Atlanta and Georgia dates to much earlier. He uses his institutional knowledge to help the AJC provide in-depth coverage of area sports and sports teams. David can be reached at 404-526-5424 and dwellham@ajc.com.

Follow David Wellham on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

St. Louis Cardinals' Sonny Gray pitches to a San Francisco Giants batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Sept. 24, 2025, in San Francisco. (Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP, file)

Credit: AP

Potential Braves trade target Sonny Gray dealt to Red Sox

The St. Louis Cardinals traded veteran starting pitcher Sonny Gray to the Red Sox on Tuesday, lessening the Braves’ potential rotation options by one.

The Latest

St. Louis Cardinals' Sonny Gray pitches to a San Francisco Giants batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Sept. 24, 2025, in San Francisco. (Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP, file)

Credit: AP

Potential Braves trade target Sonny Gray dealt to Red Sox

Braves re-sign reliever Joel Payamps

Braves make several signings ahead of Friday nontender deadline

Featured

More metro Atlanta sellers are deciding to take their homes off the market, according to a new report. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Why thousands of metro Atlanta sellers pulled their homes off the market

The number of delistings in metro Atlanta grew 41% in September from the same month a year ago, a recent report said.

Public service or nuisance? Atlanta attorney’s videos cause stir

An Atlanta personal injury lawyer's social media videos of witness testimony are upsetting medical malpractice defendants, who have asked local judges to intervene.

Where could Georgia Tech play in its bowl game?

Surveying the postseason landscape for the Yellow Jackets.