Ryan Rua is a middle infielder in the Texas Rangers Organization. Rua was drafted in the 17th round of the 2011 draft out of Lake Erie College. In his 3 seasons with Lake Erie, Rua hit .374 with 24 homeruns and 131 RBI's. Rua was also the first player ever drafted in school history. After being drafted by the Rangers Rua went on to to make his professional appearance in 2011 playing for Texas's Arizona League team where he played in 45 games, hit 3 HR's had 34 RBI's and 5 triples. He was then promoted to SS-Spokane where he played the whole 2012 season keeping pretty good numbers. Rua again hit close to .300 with 7 HR's, and 43 RBI's in games. It wasn't until 2013 Rua got his first full season in professional ball and he exploded on to the scene. Starting the season at Lo-A Hickory where him self and teammate Joey Gallo smashed homeruns for fun. In his 104 games he played with Lo-A Hickory Rua hit 29 homeruns, 82 RBI's, and had a .356 OBP. Rua was also names SAL League Mid-Season All-Star, Post-Season All Star and, was also names SAL Player of the Week on 7/15/2013. He then Jumped to AA-Frisco where he finished his 2013 season with the Frisco Roughrider's. Rua only played in 23 games where he hit .233 with 3 homeruns and 9 RBI's bringing his 2013 total to 32 homeruns and 91 RBI's. Recently Ryan took some time to answer some questions for us.
Q1) At what age did you start playing baseball and, who influenced you the most?
A1) Probably around 5 or 6 in South Amherst, Ohio...Definitely my dad... but my whole family has always been into sports as long as I can remember.
Q2) Besides baseball is there another sport you keep up with regularly?
A2) I keep up with all sports, can never get enough.
Q3) Was baseball always your go to sport or, was there another sport you preferred?
A3) Growing up it was baseball, Soccer, and Basketball... In high school just baseball and basketball, but basketball was always my favorite.
Q4) You where drafted out of college in 2011 by the Rangers in the 17th Round, what was the draft process like and where was you when you found out?
A4) It was a fun process because we knew it was going to happen with the number of teams that showed interest... I was at home with my family, best friend, and girlfriend listening to the broadcast on the internet.
Q5) After playing you first full season of professional ball what was the biggest transition from College Ball to Pro Ball?
A5) Definitely the speed of the game, whether it was the velocity or the base running... there were no more easy days or opponents.
Q6) You had a breakout year last year. What was the one thing you really worked hard on last offseason?
A6) I really got after it in the gym and tried to prepare my body the best I could for my first full season of Pro Ball.
Q7) Who was your favorite player growing up?
A7) Growing up right outside Cleveland, Ohio and being a middle infielder my whole life I enjoyed watching Omar Vizquel and Robbie Alomar; as well as A-Rod in his Mariners days.
Q8) Do you have any personal goals for next season?
A8) Just try to repeat the season I had this year, and not to put a lot of pressure on myself...I really wanted 100 RBI's this year and was 9 away so that would be my personal goal.
Q9) When your not playing ball what could a fan find you doing?
A9) Usually just relaxing in the offseason hanging out with friends and family, or at my brothers high school basketball games.
Q10) What is your favorite baseball moment so far?
Q10) Probably my walk off grand slam in AA-Frisco after I got called up, never had a walk-off HR before and it was even cooler that it was a grand slam.
Q11) Any suggestions for the youth of today that are seeking to be professional ball players?
A11) If its truly something you enjoy and love doing then I say go for it. Its a grind every single day, but I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. I was always the smallest kid on all my teams growing up and ended up at a D2 college but when you get your chance you cant hold anything back, it may be the only you get to fulfill your dreams.
We would like to thank Ryan for his time to answer our questions and we wish him the best of luck in this upcoming season! Also, be sure to go follow him on Twitter @Rua_Numba_2
Q1) At what age did you start playing baseball and, who influenced you the most?
A1) Probably around 5 or 6 in South Amherst, Ohio...Definitely my dad... but my whole family has always been into sports as long as I can remember.
Q2) Besides baseball is there another sport you keep up with regularly?
A2) I keep up with all sports, can never get enough.
Q3) Was baseball always your go to sport or, was there another sport you preferred?
A3) Growing up it was baseball, Soccer, and Basketball... In high school just baseball and basketball, but basketball was always my favorite.
Q4) You where drafted out of college in 2011 by the Rangers in the 17th Round, what was the draft process like and where was you when you found out?
A4) It was a fun process because we knew it was going to happen with the number of teams that showed interest... I was at home with my family, best friend, and girlfriend listening to the broadcast on the internet.
Q5) After playing you first full season of professional ball what was the biggest transition from College Ball to Pro Ball?
A5) Definitely the speed of the game, whether it was the velocity or the base running... there were no more easy days or opponents.
Q6) You had a breakout year last year. What was the one thing you really worked hard on last offseason?
A6) I really got after it in the gym and tried to prepare my body the best I could for my first full season of Pro Ball.
Q7) Who was your favorite player growing up?
A7) Growing up right outside Cleveland, Ohio and being a middle infielder my whole life I enjoyed watching Omar Vizquel and Robbie Alomar; as well as A-Rod in his Mariners days.
Q8) Do you have any personal goals for next season?
A8) Just try to repeat the season I had this year, and not to put a lot of pressure on myself...I really wanted 100 RBI's this year and was 9 away so that would be my personal goal.
Q9) When your not playing ball what could a fan find you doing?
A9) Usually just relaxing in the offseason hanging out with friends and family, or at my brothers high school basketball games.
Q10) What is your favorite baseball moment so far?
Q10) Probably my walk off grand slam in AA-Frisco after I got called up, never had a walk-off HR before and it was even cooler that it was a grand slam.
Q11) Any suggestions for the youth of today that are seeking to be professional ball players?
A11) If its truly something you enjoy and love doing then I say go for it. Its a grind every single day, but I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. I was always the smallest kid on all my teams growing up and ended up at a D2 college but when you get your chance you cant hold anything back, it may be the only you get to fulfill your dreams.
We would like to thank Ryan for his time to answer our questions and we wish him the best of luck in this upcoming season! Also, be sure to go follow him on Twitter @Rua_Numba_2