Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | CHC | RHP | 41 | 35 |
Grades Update: Nov 2020
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | SL | CH | Cmd/Cnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 30 | 55 | 50 | 60 | 45 | 55/45 |
Nov 2020 Report
Evaluator: Jake Kerns
Age: 27 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 Draft - Round 11
RuleV: Eligible
Physical Description: Maxed out physically. Thick lower half. Goes about his business on the mound.
Delivery & Mechanics: Easy, repeatable delivery. Little effort. 3/4 slot from the right side. Consistent release point. Gets good extension and lands softly, but sometimes falls off toward 1B.
Fastball: 92-95. Shows easy velocity, topping out at 97 after a spike in 2020. Was 89-92 before 2019. Keeps the ball down in the zone and locates it well side-to-side. Lacks movement but plays up because batters do not see it until late. Grade: 55
Curveball: Solid shape and depth. Can be slurvy at times. Uses it to keep batters off-balance. Tends to throw it away from the hitter. Pitch lags behind his slider but is usable and flashes at least average. Grade: 50
Slider: Trusts it and will throw it during any count. Uses it as his out pitch. Dives into lefthanders and leads to big swings and misses. Righthanders chase it out of the zone. Keeps it down. Creates poor contact when barreled. Grade: 60
Changeup: Looks like fastball out of hand. Natural arm-side run. Does not throw it often but demonstrates feel for the pitch. Grade: 45
Overall: A Rule V selection by Baltimore in 2019 after his velocity spiked, Rucker was returned to the team around Spring Training. He projects best as an up/down reliever but there's additional upside, potentially as a multi-inning reliever, if the velocity holds and he makes gains on his curveball and changeup.
OFP: 35
Role: 30 - Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk: Low
