Texas A&M Ruggiano attended
Texas A&M University, where he played
college baseball for the
Texas A&M Aggies baseball team.
Los Angeles Dodgers The
Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Ruggiano in the 25th round of the
2004 MLB draft. The Dodgers sent Ruggiano to the
Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2006, with
Dioner Navarro and
Jae Weong Seo for
Toby Hall,
Mark Hendrickson and cash.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays / Rays Ruggiano made his
Major League Baseball debut with the
Tampa Bay Devil Rays in . On October 19, 2007, Ruggiano was added to the roster of the
United States national baseball team to play in the
2007 Baseball World Cup. In 2008, he batted .197 for Tampa Bay in 76 at bats. Ruggiano hit his first career home run, a long ball to left field, on June 21, 2008 off of pitcher
Wandy Rodriguez of the Houston Astros. Ruggiano became part of a historical play in the 2008 World Series when Rays manager
Joe Maddon moved Ruggiano from right field to become a fifth infielder, playing directly behind the second base bag. During the 2010–11 offseason, Ruggiano was
designated for assignment. He was again designated for assignment after the 2011 season, and on January 30, 2012, elected free agency.
Houston Astros On February 6, 2012, Ruggiano signed a minor league contract with the
Houston Astros.
Miami Marlins On May 26, 2012, Ruggiano was traded to the
Miami Marlins for minor league catcher Jobduan Morales. He was called up to Miami the next day, and
Kevin Mattison was optioned to Triple-A. After playing well in June, Ruggiano heated up in July. He ended the first half of the season with six home runs (four in the last six games), 17 RBI, and a batting average of .390. On September 21, Ruggiano injured his shoulder in the fifth inning in a game against the New York Mets. He finished the season batting .313 with 13 homers, 36 RBIs, 23 doubles, a .374 on-base percentage(OBP), and a .909 on-base slug percentage(OPS).
Chicago Cubs On December 12, 2013, the Marlins traded Ruggiano to the
Chicago Cubs for outfielder
Brian Bogusevic. As a part-time outfielder during the 2014 season he played in 81 games before requiring surgery on his left ankle. Ruggiano finished the 2014 season hitting .281/.337/.429 in 224 at-bats, with six home runs and 28 RBIs.
Seattle Mariners On December 17, 2014, he was traded to the
Seattle Mariners in exchange for minor leaguer Matt Brazis. He was designated for assignment on June 4, 2015. He cleared waivers and was assigned outright to the class AAA
Tacoma Rainiers.
Los Angeles Dodgers On August 31, 2015, he was traded to the
Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations, and on September 1 was added to the active roster. He played in 21 games for the Dodgers in September (mostly starting against left handed pitching) and hit .291 with four homers and 12 RBI. On November 5, he was outrighted to the minors and removed from the 40 man roster. On November 6, he chose to become a free agent rather than accept an assignment to the minors.
Texas Rangers On December 17, 2015, Ruggiano signed a one-year deal with the
Texas Rangers. Ruggiano made the Rangers opening day roster with the initial plan of Ruggiano platooning with outfielder
Josh Hamilton. Ruggiano started opening day for the Rangers going 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. After the first game of the season, the Rangers designated Ruggiano for assignment. He was outrighted to the Triple–A
Round Rock Express afterwards. He was released on July 26, 2016.
New York Mets On July 30, 2016, the Mets signed Ruggiano to their 25-man roster to replace the injured
José Reyes After only six
plate appearances with the Mets, Ruggiano was placed on the
disabled list with a left
hamstring strain. On August 18, Ruggiano returned from the disabled list. After appearing in five games and hitting two home runs, including a
grand slam off of
Madison Bumgarner, Ruggiano was placed on the disabled list again with a shoulder injury.
San Francisco Giants On December 23, 2016, Ruggiano signed a minor league contract with the
San Francisco Giants. On May 6, 2017, after playing for the
Sacramento River Cats for a month, San Francisco purchased Ruggiano's contract, promoting him to the Giants. On June 2, Ruggiano was designated for assignment when
Austin Slater was called up from Triple-A Sacramento. He cleared waivers and reported to Triple-A Sacramento. On July 25, Ruggiano opted out of his minor league deal with the Giants. Ruggiano retired in the offseason to become a hitting instructor for younger players at his home in
Sunnyvale, Texas. ==Personal life==