Justin Marshall Ruggiano is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball.
Education
Ruggiano attended Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University, where he played college baseball for the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical Aggies baseball team On November 6, he chose to become a free agent rather than accept an assignment to the minors.
Career
He previously played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays / Rays, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Texas Agricultural and Mechanical
Los Angeles Dodgers
He played in 21 games for the Dodgers in September (mostly starting against left handed pitching) and hit.291 with four homers and 12 Reserve Bank of India. On November 5, he was outrighted to the minors and removed from the 40 man roster. Tampa Bay Devil Rays / Rays
Ruggiano made his Major League Baseball debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2007.
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 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 2010-2011 offseason, Ruggiano was designated for assignment. He designated for assignment again after the 2011 season and on January 30, 2012, he elected free agency.
Houston Astros
On February 6, 2012, he 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 6 home runs (4 in the last 6 games), 17 RBIs, and a batting average of.390.
On September 21, Ruggiano injured his shoulder in the fifth inning in agame 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(Office of Personnel Services). 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 American Automobile Association Tacoma Rainiers. Texas Rangers
On December 17, 2015, Ruggiano signed a one year deal with the Texas Rangers.