Chris Rusin, Relief Pitcher

Date of Birth: 10/22/1986
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
College: University of Kentucky

Chris Rusin, relief pitcher, was first drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2008 but he decided instead to finish his college career. A year later, he signed with the Chicago Cubs. He pitched in the Cubs' minor league system from 2009 through most of 2014. During that time, he had a 38-41 record and 484 strikeouts to 179 walks in 695.1 innings in 128 games.

Rusin joined the Cubs for seven games in 2012. He pitched 29.2 innings and he had a 2-3 record and a 6.37 ERA. The following season, he pitched 66.1 innings in 13 games and he finished the season with a 2-6 record and a 3.93 ERA. In 2014, he pitched just 12.2 innings with the Cubs. After getting a 7.11 ERA in four games, he was sent back to the minors.

The Colorado Rockies claimed Rusin off waivers on September 27, 2014. He finished the 2015 season with a 6-10 record, 86 strikeouts to 41 walks, and a 5.33 ERA in 131.2 innings in 24 games.

In 2016, Rusin had a 3.74 ERA in 7 games as a starter and 22 games in relief. He finished the season with 3 wins to 5 losses and 69 strikeouts to 23 walks in 84.1 innings.

Rusin finished the 2017 season with 5 wins and 1 loss, 2 saves, 71 strikeouts to 19 walks, and a 2.65 ERA in 85.0 innings in 60 games of relief with the Rockies. In the Wild Card game, he pitched 2.1 innings and he gave up 2 hits.

Rusin pitched in 49 games in 2018. He finished the season with 2 wins and 3 losses, 47 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 6.09 ERA in 54.2 innings. He spent time on the DL during the regular season. In the postseason, he pitched 4.0 innings in 4 games and he gave up 2 hits and no runs. He struck out two batters and he walked two.

Rusin spent most of the 2019 season on the DL and in the minors. He pitched just 1.0 innings in 2 games with the Rockies.

Rusin became a free agent on October 3, 2019. He signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves on January 22, 2020. He pitched just 3.1 innings in 1 game with the Braves before they released him on September 5, 2020.

Rusin returned to the Rockies on a minor league contract on April 15, 2021. He pitched only in the minors in 2021. The Rockies released him on August 26, 2021.

Career pitching statistics for Rusin through 2020 include:

• 189 games played
• 468.2 innings pitched
• 20-28 win-loss record
• 341 strikeouts to 153 walks
• 4.65 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Chris Rusin
ESPN - Chris Rusin
Baseball Reference - Chris Rusin