The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Ruotolo is one step closer to the big leagues
UConn standout in Double-A
HARTFORD — He’s no longer a closer — at least for right now — but Pat Ruotolo is getting closer and closer to the big leagues.
The former UConn standout made the jump from High-A to Double-A a little over a month ago and hasn’t skipped a beat. After posting a 1.47 ERA and 1.04 WHIP and going a perfect 6-for-6 in save attempts with High-A San Jose, Ruotolo currently boasts a 2.30 ERA and a pair of saves for Richmond.
Ruotolo, 23, had his first hiccup with the Flying Squirrels on Tuesday night against the Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, surrendering three hits and a pair of runs in an inning. He bounced back on Thursday, however, striking out the side in an inning of work.
Overall, it’s been a very positive season for the hard-throwing right-hander.
“I’ve been happy,” Ruotolo said, shortly after Richmond’s loss to the Yard Goats on Monday night. “Sometimes I struggle a little bit, but for the most part, I’m happy with what I’ve done so far — especially with being promoted to Double-A this year.”
The only real difference since his May 21 promotion has been his role. Ruotolo has been a closer mostly everywhere he’s been the past few seasons. As a junior at UConn, he led the American Conference with 12 saves before being picked by San Francisco in the 27th round of the 2016 MLB draft. He closed in Class A short-season later that summer, and was the closer at Class-A Augusta last season, notching 17 saves in 18 attempts.
At Richmond, however, the closer role currently belongs to Caleb Simpson. Ruotolo is mainly a seventhor eighth-inning guy, but on days when Simpson needs a break, either he or Dillon McNamara gets the call. Ruotolo has made the most of his opportunities, notching saves in both of his chances so far.
He said his change-up, a pitch he’s using more of at the Double-A level, has been most effective.
“I need that third pitch,” he noted. “You change speeds, it works right off my fastball.”
Playing in the Eastern League also offers Ruotolo, a Peabody, Mass. product, the chance to play in front of plenty of family and friends. Three teams (Hartford, Portland and Manchester) are within about an hour radius of his parents’ home, and both parents — along with UConn pitching coach Josh MacDonald and some other former Husky teammates — made the trip for Monday night’s game.
Ruotolo is one of 50 UConn players to be drafted or signed by a major league organization since Jim Penders took over as head coach in 2014. There are 19 still playing affiliated ball right now.
“The program’s amazing,” said Ruotolo. “Ever since I was a freshman, I got better. Got better as a person in general, always learning how to work hard. I think that helped in pro ball.”
Ruotolo would love to get back to being a closer at some point, but he’s more than happy with any role the Giants’ organization sees fit.
His goals for the rest of this season are relatively simple: “Stay healthy, keep up what I’m doing. Hopefully, there’s a chance to make another step.”
A Good Sportman
Former Central Connecticut State standout J.P. Sportman played in the Texas League All-Star Game for the second straight season on Tuesday. Sportman, a second baseman, is hitting .284 with 6 homers and 23 RBI for Midland, the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland A’s.
This is the third straight season Sportman, 26, has spent in Midland. Last year, he hit .275 with 12 homers and 74 RBIs while earning all-star honors for the first time.