Rich Ruff, a RHP out of Chicago, Illinois, has been named the 2018 Arizona Winter League Pitcher of the Year.

Ruff finished the season with a league leading .88 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched. The former New York Mets Draft Pick finished with a 2-1 record for the San Luis team under former Red Sox Manager Butch Hobson. He finished third in strikeouts with 29, only 1 behind the leaders and yielded only 5 walks, fewest among pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched.

Ruff was originally drafted in the 46th Round of the 2011 MLB Amatuer Draft after attending Quincy University in Illinois. After two seasons in the Mets' farm system (RK and A-), Ruff signed with the Normal Cornbelters of the Frontier League. After a short stint in the Pecos and Can-Am Leagues, Ruff made his way to the American Association with the Wichita Wingnuts in 2016.