Michael Rucker (baseball)

Michael Rucker
Seattle Mariners – No. 38
Pitcher
Born: (1994-04-27) April 27, 1994
Columbus, Mississippi, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 30, 2021, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
(through August 28, 2026)
Win–loss record6–6
Earned run average5.27
Strikeouts158
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams

Michael Patrick Rucker (born April 27, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs.

Amateur career

Rucker played high school baseball while attending Auburn Riverside High School in Auburn, Washington.[1] In 2011, as a junior, he was 8–2 with a 1.51 earned run average (ERA).[2]

Undrafted out of high school, Rucker played college baseball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs.[3] After his freshman year at Gonzaga, he transferred to play for the BYU Cougars.[4] In 2016, his junior and final season at BYU, Rucker had an 11–1 record and 2.73 ERA in 102+1⁄3 innings, earning a spot on the All-West Coast Conference First Team.[5][6]

Professional career

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs selected Rucker in the 11th round of the 2016 MLB draft, and he signed with them for $180,000.[7][8] He made his professional debut with the Arizona League Cubs before finishing the season with the Eugene Emeralds. In 12+2⁄3 relief innings pitched between both teams, he did not give up an earned run and was 3–0. He began 2017 with the South Bend Cubs, and after seven relief appearances in which he had a 1.42 ERA, he was promoted to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, where he transitioned into a starting pitcher.[9] In 20 games (15 starts) for Myrtle Beach, he was 5–5 with a 2.51 ERA.[10] He spent the 2018 season with the Tennessee Smokies,[11] going 9–6 with a 3.73 ERA in 26 starts.[12] He returned to Tennessee to begin 2019 and was promoted to the Iowa Cubs during the season.[13] Over 79+2⁄3 innings (pitched mainly in relief), Rucker compiled a 0–3 record with a 4.18 ERA and 93 strikeouts.[14]

On December 12, 2019, the Baltimore Orioles selected Rucker in the Rule 5 draft.[15] On March 6, 2020, the Orioles returned Rucker to the Cubs.[16] He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]

Rucker began the 2021 with Iowa. On July 30, Chicago selected his contract and promoted him to the active roster.[18] He made his MLB debut that night against the Washington Nationals, throwing two innings of relief, giving up one run while recording one strikeout.[19] He earned his first MLB save on September 19, retiring one batter.[20] With the Cubs in 2021, he pitched 28+1⁄3 innings in relief with a 6.99 ERA and 30 strikeouts.[21]

On April 30, 2022, Rucker struck out four batters in an inning.[22] August 10, he earned his first MLB win after tossing a scoreless seventh inning against the Washington Nationals.[23] He finished the year with a 3.95 ERA across 41 appearances. In 2023, Rucker pitched in 35 games for Chicago, with a 4.91 ERA and 40 strikeouts across 40+1⁄3 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment by the Cubs on February 1, 2024.[24]

Philadelphia Phillies

On February 6, 2024, the Cubs traded Rucker to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash.[25] He began the year on the injured list with a right hand arterial vasospasm,[26] and was transferred to the 60–day injured list on June 3.[27] Rucker was activated from the injured list on July 26.[28] On September 3, the Phillies designated Rucker for assignment.[29]

Washington Nationals

On September 6, 2024, Rucker was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals.[30] In 4 appearances for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, he posted a 3.86 ERA with 3 strikeouts over 4+2⁄3 innings pitched. On November 4, Rucker was removed from the 40-man roster. He rejected an outright assignment and elected free agency.[31][32]

Seattle Mariners

On January 8, 2026, Rucker signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[33] He made 22 appearances for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, posting a 1–2 record and 1.59 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 22+2⁄3 innings pitched. On June 11, the Mariners selected Rucker's contract, adding him to their active roster.[34][35] He took the loss after allowing four Cleveland Guardians base runners and a sacrifice bunt on June 28.[36]

Personal life

Rucker is a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[37]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Auburn Riverside, Rucker hitting their stride". Auburn Reporter. May 11, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Michael Rucker: BYU baseball's ace taking team to new heights". The Universe. May 24, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  3. ↑ Wedra, Joe (July 28, 2017). "Brigham Young standout pitcher a good fit with Myrtle Beach Pelicans". Myhorrynews.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Chicago Cubs prospect profile: Michael Rucker". January 15, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Chicago Cubs draft BYU pitcher Michael Rucker in 11th round". June 11, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  6. ↑ "WCC Announces 2016 Baseball All-Conference Teams". West Coast Conference. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  7. ↑ Warner, Neil K. "MLB draft day fulfills dream for BYU and UVU players". Daily Herald. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Cubs Sign Eleventh Round Pick Michael Rucker". Chicago Cubs Online. July 14, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Chicago Cubs: Pitching prospect Michael Rucker makes transition to starter". Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Michael Rucker Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Several familiar faces are back in Tennessee for today's home opener including Southern League all-star Jason Vosler". 247Sports. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Michael Rucker Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  13. ↑ "2019 Chicago Cubs Affiliate Preview: Tennessee Smokies' Starting Pitchers Look to Impress". cubsinsider.com. April 2, 2019.
  14. ↑ Callis, Jim (December 12, 2019). "Scouting the Rule 5 Draft picks". MLB.com. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  15. ↑ Meoli, Jon (December 12, 2019). "Orioles select pitchers Brandon Bailey, Michael Rucker in Rule 5 draft". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  16. ↑ Kubatko, Roch (March 6, 2020). "Orioles return Bailey and Rucker to their former organizations". MASN. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  17. ↑ "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com.
  18. ↑ "Cubs' Michael Rucker: Contract selected Friday". CBS Sports. July 31, 2021.
  19. ↑ McGraw, Mike (July 30, 2021). "Bryant, Baez, Kimbrel, Williams, Marisnick gone: Deadline Day = Demolition Day for Cubs". Daily Herald. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Cubs' Michael Rucker: Picks up first MLB save". CBS Sports. September 20, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Michael Rucker College & Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  22. ↑ "Michael Rucker strikes out four batters in the 5th | 04/30/2022". MLB.com. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Cubs' Michael Rucker: Earns first MLB win". CBS Sports. August 11, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Cubs Designate Michael Rucker For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. February 1, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Phillies Acquire Michael Rucker, Designate Andrew Bellatti For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. February 6, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Phillies' Michael Rucker: Shelved with hand injury". CBS Sports. March 28, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  27. ↑ "Phillies Select David Dahl". MLB Trade Rumors. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Phillies' Michael Rucker: Returns from injured list". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Phillies Designate Michael Rucker For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  30. ↑ "Nationals Claim Michael Rucker, Designate Travis Blankenhorn". MLB Trade Rumors. September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  31. ↑ Polishuk, Mark (November 4, 2024). "Joey Meneses, Ildemaro Vargas, Michael Rucker Elect Free Agency After Nationals' Outrights". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  32. ↑ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2024). "Minor League Free Agents 2024". Baseball America. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Mariners Sign Michael Rucker To Minors Contract". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Mariners Designate Domingo González For Assignment, Select Michael Rucker". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  35. ↑ "This former BYU pitcher has returned to MLB". Deseret News. June 13, 2026. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Troublesome 8th inning for Mariners' 'pen caps road trip with tough loss". MLB.com. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  37. ↑ McCann, Dave (July 21, 2022). "'Riding the shuttle': BYU's lone player in MLB still chasing the dream". Deseret News. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
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