Drew James Rucinski was originally signed by Cleveland scout Junie Melendez…graduated from Tulsa (Okla.) Union High School in 2017 where he won state championships during sophomore and junior years…attended Ohio State University from 2008-11…went 5-3 with a 2.95 ERA as a senior in 2011.
2022
Went 10-12 with a 2.97 ERA in 31 starts in his fourth season in Korea with the NC Dinos... Struck out 194 batters in 193.2 innings…walked just 34 for an average of 1.58 walks per nine innings, which was the lowest mark in the KBO…had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.71... Tied for the KBO lead in games started, ranked second in strikeouts, innings pitched and strikeout-to-walk ratio and eighth in ERA…was also third in most hits allowed (184) and tied for fourth in losses and wild pitches (9)...Had career highs in strikeouts, games started and innings pitched and his ERA was the lowest in his four seasons in the KBO... Led the Dinos in starts, strikeouts and innings pitched.
2017
Spent most of year with Triple-A Rochester in Twins' system, earning International League Midseason All-Star honors...Made 32 appearances (two starts) for Red Wings...Posted 2-2 record and one save with 1.54 ERA (35.0 ip/6 er) in first half; was 0-4 with 3.86 ERA (28.0/12) in second half...Did not allow a run in 12 straight appearances (21.1 innings) from May 27-July 15...After allowing a run in six of seven appearances, posting four losses and 8.74 ERA (11.1/11), from July 29-August 17, rebounded with four scoreless outings (8.1 ip) to end season...Had brief stint with Twins from May 5-10, making two relief appearances...Tied career MLB high with five strikeouts on May 6 vs. Boston.
2015
Made 2015 Opening Day roster for Angels and appeared in four games, making first career start on April 14 at Texas (2.2 ip, 6 h, 4 r, 4 er, 4 bb)...Had five stints with Los Angeles: Opening Day-April 15; June 7-13; July 31-August 3; August 25-27; and September 1-5.
2014
Pitched majority of season with Double-A Arkansas...Went 10-6 with a 3.15 ERA (148.2 IP - 52 ER) across 26 starts while recording 140 strikeouts and just 41 walks...Ranked second in Texas League with 140 strikeouts, sixth with 148.2 innings pitched and tied for eighth with 10 victories...Led Travelers in strikeouts, starts and innings pitched...Named Texas League Player of the Week for June 2-9 after tossing complete game shutout vs. Northwest Arkansas allowing just five hits with no walks and six strikeouts...Named to Texas League Mid-Season All-Star team...In 10 starts from June 7 - Aug. 1, went 7-0 with a 2.35 ERA (65 IP - 17 ER)...Recorded 54 strikeouts and 12 walks in that span...Had contract selected by Angels July 10 and made Major League debut that night at Globe Life Park in Arlington...Allowed two earned runs on four hits in one inning pitched vs. Rangers during ninth inning of Angels 15-6 victory...Optioned back to Arkansas July 12...Made one postseason start for Arkansas and earned the win after tossing seven shutout innings at Tulsa in Game 1 of the Texas League North Division playoffs Sept. 3rd...Recalled by Angels Sept. 19 for second big league stint...Pitched four innings in relief that night vs. Texas and allowed two runs on three hits across four innings pitched (allowed no runs on one hit with four strikeouts through first three innings of that appearance)...Tossed 2.1 shutout innings in relief during final outing of the year Sept. 22 at Oakland.