Esteury Ruiz is a 27-year-old Dominican outfielder playing for the Miami Marlins. Born in Azua on February 15, 1999, this right-handed hitter has carved out his spot in the big leagues with his legs and his glove — and in 2026, he’s backed it up with real production: 27 stolen bases, a .260 average, and an .846 OPS.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Esteury Ruiz
- Position: Outfielder
- Team: Miami Marlins
- Number: 3
- Bats / Throws: Right / Right
- Height / Weight: 5’11» / 170 lbs
- Born: February 15, 1999 (age 27)
- Hometown: Azua, Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
- MLB Debut: July 12, 2022
Background
Ruiz came up through the minor league system and made his MLB debut on July 12, 2022. His path to the majors was steady rather than flashy — built on speed and defensive versatility in right field. Since breaking in, he’s bounced between organizations, looking for the right fit to let his best tool shine.
Professional Career
Ruiz’s big-league journey has had its share of ups and downs. With the Oakland Athletics in 2024, he hit .200 with 2 home runs, 8 RBI, 10 runs scored, and 5 stolen bases — a tough season offensively but one where he stayed useful. Things got harder in 2025 with the Los Angeles Dodgers: a .190 average, 1 home run, 2 RBI, and an OPS that dropped to .594. He kept his defensive presence, but the bat wasn’t there.
The turnaround came in 2026 with Miami. Ruiz posted a .260 average, 5 home runs, 10 RBI, 30 runs scored, and a career-best 27 stolen bases with an .846 OPS. It’s the kind of season that shows what he can do when everything clicks — and speed, as always, is the engine.
Career Stats at a Glance
- 2026 – Miami Marlins: .260 AVG | 5 HR | 10 RBI | 30 R | .846 OPS | 27 SB
- 2025 – Los Angeles Dodgers: .190 AVG | 1 HR | 2 RBI | 2 R | .594 OPS | 4 SB
- 2024 – Oakland Athletics: .200 AVG | 2 HR | 8 RBI | 10 R | .652 OPS | 5 SB
Awards and Records
Ruiz hasn’t collected individual hardware like an MVP or Silver Slugger yet. But his value as a role player — especially as a baserunning weapon and a reliable glove in right — keeps him on rosters that are building or transitioning. In today’s game, a guy who can steal 27 bases in a season is an asset worth keeping around.
Something Worth Noting
Those 27 stolen bases in 2026 are a career high for Ruiz in the majors. It’s not just a number — it signals that he found an environment in Miami that actually unlocks what he does best. At 27, he still has time to grow into a genuine baserunning specialist, a role that’s only becoming more valuable as the game evolves.
