Ruiz named PCL Most Valuable Player

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Pacific Coast League today announced Randy Ruiz of the Las Vegas 51s the 2009 PCL Most Valuable Player, an honor annually chosen by the League's managers and media representatives.

Ruiz currently leads the league in RBIs (106), doubles (43) and extra base hits (70). His (.320) batting average is eighth in the league, and he is sixth in the league in runs scored (81). The first baseman is fourth in the PCL in slugging percentage (.584) and in home runs (25).

This season, he was selected as the starting first baseman for the PCL in the Triple-A All-Star Game held in Portland, Ore. In 2008, with the Rochester Red Wings, he won the International League batting title with a .320 average and was named the IL Rookie of the Year

On August 11, Ruiz had his contract purchased by the Toronto Blue Jays and is hitting .292 with five home runs and eight RBIs in 18 games for the Jays.

Ruiz is the first Las Vegas player to win the PCL MVP since Phil Hiatt in 2001. He is in his first season with the Toronto Blue Jays organization and 11th overall in professional baseball. The Bronx, N.Y., native was signed by the Cincinnati Reds as a nondrafted free agent out of Bellevue (Neb.) University in 1998.

Past PCL MVP's include Paul Konerko in 1997, Bobby Valentine in 1970, Tony Perez in 1964, three time winner Steve Bilko, 1955-1957, Joe DiMaggio in 1935 and last year's winner, Nelson Cruz of Oklahoma.

For more information on Ruiz and other 2009 PCL award-winners, please visit the League's official Web site at www.pclbaseball.com online. There you can also find information on the 2009 PCL playoffs, scheduled to begin on Wed, Sept. 9.