Bolívar Ruiz (born August 28, 1974) is a former Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher. A right-handed hurler, Ruiz primarily played in the minor league systems, most notably for the Atlanta Braves organization.
Biography and Career
Bolívar Ruiz was born in Venezuela. He signed with the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent in 1992. His professional career spanned from 1993 to 2002, during which he pitched for various minor league affiliates of the Braves across different levels of professional baseball.
Ruiz began his career in Rookie ball with the Danville Braves in 1993. He steadily progressed through the Braves' farm system, making appearances for:
- Macon Braves (Class A)
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Class A-Advanced)
- Greenville Braves (Class AA)
- Richmond Braves (Class AAA)
He spent several seasons at the Double-A and Triple-A levels, demonstrating consistency and durability as a starting pitcher and reliever. Although he never reached Major League Baseball, Ruiz accumulated significant experience and statistics in the minor leagues.
Career Statistics (Minor Leagues)
- Years Active: 1993–2002
- Win-Loss Record: 40–52
- Earned Run Average (ERA): 4.54
- Innings Pitched: 864.1
- Strikeouts: 610
- Walks: 346
Ruiz's career highlights include multiple seasons pitching over 100 innings and consistently being a part of the Braves' minor league pitching rotation. His career ended after the 2002 season.