Patrick Ruotolo, RHP
DOB: 1/16/95
BATS: R  /  THROWS: R
ACQUIRED: Drafted 2016, 27th Round
LAST LEVEL: Double-A
VOLATILITY: Low

STATS

Lev
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
HBP
WP
WHIP
BB9
SO9
SO/W
2016
2 Teams
A--Rk
1.13
19
0
4
24.0
16
6
3
0
14
42
1
3
1.25
5.3
15.8
3.00
2016
Salem-Keizer
A-
1.42
15
0
4
19.0
13
5
3
0
14
35
1
2
1.421
6.6
16.6
2.50
2016
AZL Giants
Rk
0.00
4
0
0
5.0
3
1
0
0
0
7
0
1
0.600
0.0
12.6
-
2017
Augusta
A
1.68
44
0
17
48.1
28
10
9
3
12
69
3
3
0.828
2.2
12.8
5.75
2018
2 Teams
AA-A+
2.03
37
0
10
44.1
30
12
10
5
17
62
2
2
1.060
3.5
12.6
3.65
2018
Richmond
AA
2.42
23
0
4
26.0
18
7
7
5
10
36
1
1
1.077
3.5
12.5
3.60
2018
San Jose
A+
1.47
14
0
6
18.1
12
5
3
0
7
26
1
1
1.036
3.4
12.8
3.71
2019
2 Teams
A+-Rk
0.95
13
0
3
19.0
12
2
2
0
9
24
0
3
1.105
4.3
11.4
2.67
2019
San Jose
A+
1.80
6
0
2
10.0
8
2
2
0
8
12
0
2
1.600
7.2
10.8
1.50
2019
AZL Black
Rk
0.00
7
0
1
9.0
4
0
0
0
1
12
0
1
0.556
1.0
12.0
12.00
2021
Richmond
AA
2.68
39
0
11
37.0
20
13
11
5
5
50
4
4
0.676
1.2
12.2
10.00
Minors (5)
1.82
152
0
45
172.2
106
43
35
13
57
247
10
15
0.944
3.0
12.9
4.33

See Full Stats Here

GiantFutures 2022 Ranks: #11 Relief Pitcher

Performance: He’s an undersized relief pitcher, but all Ruotolo does is pitch effectively, and 2021 was no exception.  Ruotolo made his Double-A debut and had a 2.68 ERA with a full season of work, working part-time as the closer.  It was Ruotolo’s highest ERA in a season, but he also made big changes to his peripherals.  But mostly, staying health for the first time in a couple of seasons was his biggest achievement, missing just one 2-week stretch.

Ruotolo walked just five in 37.0 innings, a career low 1.22 BB/9 rate under a career rate that had been 2.97 BB/9.  Combine that with keeping his strikeout rate at just over 12 per nine innings, keeping close to his career pace, and having a career low batting average allowed (.155), and arguably this was his career year, even with the higher ERA.  Five of the 20 hits he gave up were home runs, probably the only weakness in his season.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Ruotolo’s velocity isn’t the most overwhelming, and has mostly stuck around the low-mid-90’s fastball, but he has a high spin rate with deception, and has paired it with a curveball he’s used for strikeouts.  He’s also been working on adding a slider and a splitter to his repertoire.  He works well against both left-handed batters as well as righties.

Mostly, Ruotolo’s package looks like a good middle reliever, but his biggest issue has been his health.  He had Tommy John surgery late in 2018, and made a brief comeback by the end of 2019.  2021 was his first full, healthy season since 2017, though 2020 obviously is an outlier.

2022 Outlook: Ruotolo is on the verge of getting considered by the big league team.  Triple-A Sacramento seems to be the likely start.  However, he wasn’t protected by the team in the Rule 5 draft, so when he gets his shot could be a question.

Future Profile: Ruotolo projects as a strikeout oriented middle relieve, with a potential profile as a key setup man.  He could have four good pitches to work with, and doesn’t have a problem with his splits, which is key for that role.