Michael Rucker #39

Michael Patrick Rucker...Married, wife’s name is Sydney…Attended Brigham Young University (UT) from 2014-16 and Gonzaga University (WA) in 2013...Graduated from Auburn Riverside High School (WA)...Signed by: Steve McFarland.

2023

Split the season between CHI and Iowa (AAA)...Of the 294 right-handed ML pitchers with at least 40.0 IP, his 51.8% ground ball rate ranked 41st...Stranded 18 of 24 inherited runners (75.0%)...Held opponents scoreless in 12 of his first 16 outings through May 13...For Iowa, appeared in 13 games and made two starts.

2022

Michael made a career-high 41 relief appearances in his second Major League season with the Cubs during 2022....Notched the first three wins of his career, along with one loss, and a 3.95 ERA (24 ER/54.2 IP)....Over four stints with the Cubs, walked 20 and struck out 50, good for an average of 8.23 strikeouts per 9.0 innings....Twice tossed a career high-tying 3.0 innings, (May 8 vs. the Dodgers and June 11 at the Yankees)....Held opponents to one run or fewer in 24 of his final 26 games after he was recalled from Iowa Aug. 2, going 3-0 with four holds and a 2.93 ERA (10 ER/30.2 IP) in that span....Lasted at least one inning in 37 of his 41 relief appearances in 2022....In 10 games out of the bullpen with Iowa, went 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA (2 ER/15.1 IP).

2021

In 2021, Michael made his major league debut with 20 relief appearances for the Cubs ... retired 15 of 20 first batters faced... Made his major league debut July 30 at Washington, allowing one run on two hits in 2.0 innings... Recorded his first career save Sept. 19 at Milwaukee, notching the final out and stranding three inherited runners... In 19 games for Triple-A Iowa, was 3-0 with a 4.81 ERA (21 ER/39.1 IP) ... walked nine and struck out 49.

2020

Michael had been selected by the Orioles in the major league portion of the 2019 Rule 5 draft, but returned to the Cubs organization on March 6…spent time at the Cubs South Bend Alternate Site.

2019

Spent the majority of the season with Chicago-NL's Double-A Tennessee, appearing in 34 games and pitching to a 4.28 ERA (36 ER/75.2 IP) with 89 strikeouts...Led Tennessee relievers in strikeouts, and finished third on the team in appearances... Made two appearances (one start) for Triple-A Iowa, making his Triple-A debut on 5/27 at New Orleans... Made one start during the season, his final appearance of the season for Triple-A Iowa (2.0 IP, 3 H ER, HB, BB, 3 K)… 29 of his 36 appearances were 2.0-or-more innings.