OAKLAND, California – It’s no secret how abysmal the A’s have been this season. At 12-50 the A’s currently have the 3rd worst winning percentage in MLB history at .194(!!). That’s a 31-win pace, which isn’t quite as bad as the 1899 Cleveland Spiders who squeaked 20 wins in an 154-game season. There are small slivers of hope on the big league club in Shea Langeliers and JJ Bleday–  but they haven’t exactly shown anything worthy of getting excited for in 2023.

But there is a guy, and he goes by the name of Esteury Ruiz

Acquired in the 3-team Sean Murphy trade, Ruiz put up a .974 OPS and a minor league-leading 84 stolen bases between the San Diego and Milwaukee farm systems. Those numbers were enough for the A’s to take a flier on the toolsy centerfielder as part of the deal, and the rest is history. While it’ll always be remembered as the Murphy deal, Ruiz is having a season to remember for the last remaining Oakland Athletics fans.

Esteury Ruiz only appeared in 17 games in his debut 2022 season as a short-term outfield replacement for both San Diego and Milwaukee, barely hitting his weight (.171) and providing zero value on the base paths. That changed when he got a legitimate opportunity. Through 61 games, Ruiz has swiped a league-leading 29 bags, which puts the 24-year-old on pace for 75 stolen bases, which would make him the first to hit 70 since Jacoby Ellsbury did it in 2009. I’m not saying he’s a superstar in the making, but Oakland may have stumbled upon a fun piece to build around in their rebuild. Not to mention, his emergence makes longtime Centerfielder Ramon Laureano expendable once the Trade Deadline rolls around. 

The peripheral numbers don’t jump off the page and his .267/.328/.346 slash line is not very attractive, but he represents something to actually watch on this dismal Oakland Athletics roster. Stolen bases are fun, and the A’s have something fun to watch. Hang in there Oakland, Reverse Boycott Night is a week away.