Michael Rucker

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Rucker was born April 27, 1994, in Columbus, Mississippi. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

After signing, Rucker made his professional debut with the Arizona League Cubs before finishing the season with the Eugene Emeralds; in 12+2⁄3 relief innings pitched between both teams, he did not give up an earned run and was 3–0. He began 2017 with the South Bend Cubs, and after seven relief appearances in which he compiled a 1.42 ERA, he was promoted to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, where he transitioned into a starting pitcher. In 20 games (15 starts) for Myrtle Beach, he was 5–5 with a 2.51 ERA. He spent the 2018 season with the Tennessee Smokies, going 9–6 with a 3.73 ERA in 26 starts. He returned to Tennessee to begin 2019 and was promoted to the Iowa Cubs during the season. Over 79+2⁄3 innings (pitched mainly in relief), Rucker compiled a 0–3 record with a 4.18 ERA and 93 strikeouts.

On December 12, 2019, Rucker was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2019 Rule 5 draft. To begin the 2021 season, he was assigned to Iowa.

On July 30, 2021, Chicago selected his contract and promoted him to the active roster. He made his MLB debut that night against the Washington Nationals, throwing two innings of relief, giving up one run while recording one strikeout.