Ruben Cardenas (born October 10, 1997) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in the KBO League for the Samsung Lions.
| Ruben Cardenas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Free agent | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: October 10, 1997 Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| KBO debut | |
| July 19, 2024, for the Samsung Lions | |
| KBO statistics (through August 6, 2024) | |
| Batting average | .333 |
| Home runs | 2 |
| Runs batted in | 5 |
| Teams | |
Amateur career
editCardenas attended Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California before transferring to Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills, California as a junior.[1] He batted .400 as a sophomore and .412 as a junior.[2] He was selected by the Miami Marlins in the 37th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.[3] He originally signed a letter of intent to play college baseball at the University of Nevada, Reno, but instead attended California State University, Fullerton.[4]
As a freshman at Cal State Fullerton in 2016, Cardenas appeared in 44 games, batting .233 with three home runs and 28 RBI, and played in only 16 games in 2017 due to a back injury.[5] In 2018, his junior year, he hit .292/.355/.432 with four home runs, 38 RBI, and 12 stolen bases over sixty games. Following the season's end, he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 16th round, with the 493rd overall selection, of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.[6]
Professional career
editCleveland Indians
editCardenas signed with the Indians and made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Arizona League Indians before being assigned to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the Low–A New York–Penn League, batting .308 over 42 games with both clubs.[7] He began the 2019 season with the Lake County Captains of the Single–A Midwest League.[8]
Tampa Bay Rays
editOn July 28, 2019, Cardenas and international signing period slot money were traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Christian Arroyo and Hunter Wood.[9] He was the assigned to the Bowling Green Hot Rods of the Single–A Midwest League. Over 114 games between Lake County and Bowling Green, he slashed .271/.338/.450 with 13 home runs and 70 RBI.[10] He returned to Bowling Green, now members of the High-A East, to begin the 2021 season before he was promoted to the Montgomery Biscuits of the Double-A South in mid-June.[11] He was named the Double-A South Player of the Month for July after batting .340 with eight home runs and 22 RBI with 11 multi-hit games.[12] Over 105 games for the 2021 season between Bowling Green and Montgomery, Cardenas slashed .292/.333/.523 with 25 home runs and 78 RBI.[13] He was assigned to the Durham Bulls of the Triple-A International League for the 2022 season.[14] Over 82 games with Durham, he batted .208 with 16 home runs and 41 RBI.[15] For the 2023 season, he returned to Durham.[16] Over 132 games, Cardenas hit .269 with 22 home runs and 82 RBI.[17]
Cardenas began the 2024 season back with Durham, hitting .281/.346/.530 with 11 home runs and 28 RBI across 49 appearances.
Philadelphia Phillies
editOn June 6, 2024, Cardenas was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash considerations.[18] In 26 games for the Triple–A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Cardenas batted .269/.342/.587 with nine home runs, 28 RBI, and five stolen bases.[19]
Samsung Lions
editOn July 10, 2024, Cardenas signed a one-year, $477,000 contract with the Samsung Lions of the KBO League.[20] In 7 games for Samsung, he hit .333/.360/.667 with two home runs and five RBI. Cardenas was released by Samsung following the signing of Lewin Díaz on August 12.[21]
References
edit- ^ "Los Angeles Daily News prep baseball 2014: All-Area preseason team selections". Los Angeles Daily News. February 27, 2014.
- ^ "Wolf Pack picks up another local verbal commitment".
- ^ "Valencia's Devin Davis, Alemany duo selected on last day of MLB Draft". Los Angeles Daily News. June 11, 2015.
- ^ "Baseball: Ruben Cardenas commits to Nevada". Los Angeles Times. August 28, 2013.
- ^ Compton, Micheal (June 16, 2021). "Cardenas focused on getting better at the plate". Bowling Green Daily News.
- ^ "Alum Ruben Cardenas drafted by Cleveland Indians". Bishop Alemany High School Athletics.
- ^ Waldon, Emily. "Do you know about Will Benson, Tyler Freeman and Ruben Cardenas? You should". The Athletic.
- ^ "Captains bid Cardenas farewell after Indians trade with Rays". July 30, 2019.
- ^ "Indians and Tampa Bay Rays complete trade". MLB.com.
- ^ "Hot Rods unveil opening day roster". April 30, 2021.
- ^ "Rays Minor League Baseball Road Trip: A guide to North Carolina — Game 1". June 29, 2021.
- ^ "MiLB announces Players of the Month for July". MiLB.com.
- ^ "Rule 5 Draft 2021: Every Name You Need to Know". November 23, 2021.
- ^ "Durham Bulls Announce 2022 Opening Day Roster".
- ^ "Ruben Cardenas Stats, Fantasy & News".
- ^ "Bulls Announce 2023 Opening Day Roster". March 31, 2023.
- ^ "Ruben Cardenas Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News".
- ^ "Phillies Acquire Ruben Cardenas From Rays". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ "Ruben Cardenas: Leaves Phillies organization for KBO". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ "Lions sign new outfielder Cardenas". The Korea Times. The Korea Times. July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "x.com".
External links
edit- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)