Ruiz returns for his second season with the Ducks and will also serve as the team’s hitting coach. The former Major Leaguer played in 45 games with the Ducks in 2014 and compiled a .298 batting average with nine home runs, 40 RBI, 29 runs, 11 doubles and one triple. He launched two homers in a game on three separate occasions and came within one run of tying the franchise record for RBI in a single game when he drove in seven runs on June 18 at Camden. His efforts earned him a contract with Veracruz in the Mexican League on July 8. The Bronx native began 2015 with Reynosa in the Mexican League and batted .258 with two homers, 19 RBI, 10 runs and nine doubles in 25 games.

The 37-year-old spent parts of three seasons in the Major Leagues, spending one year with the Minnesota Twins (2008) and two with the Toronto Blue Jays (2009-10). In 68 career games, he compiled a .272 batting average with 12 home runs, 25 RBI, 41 runs and 11 doubles. He was previously named MVP of the Pacific Coast League in 2009 and International League Rookie of the Year in 2008. Ruiz was originally drafted by the New York Mets in the 36th round of the 1996 amateur draft.