Chris Rusin


Christopher Patrick Rusin is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves organization. Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at the University of Kentucky. He has played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies.

College career

Rusin, a graduate of Divine Child High School, enrolled at the University of Kentucky, where he played college baseball for the Kentucky Wildcats in the Southeastern Conference. As a junior in 2008, Rusin was named to the All-SEC first team after posting a 6–3 win–loss record and a 3.33 earned run average. The Oakland Athletics drafted Rusin in the 23rd round of the 2008 MLB Draft, but he opted to return to Kentucky for his senior season.

Professional career

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs selected Rusin in the fourth round, with the 140th selection of the 2009 MLB Draft, and Rusin signed.
Rusin started the 2010 season with the Daytona Cubs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, and was promoted to the Tennessee Smokies of the Class AA Southern League in August.
After pitching for the Iowa Cubs of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in 2012, he made his major league debut for the Cubs on August 21. He pitched in seven games in 2012, winning two and losing three. Rusin returned to the Iowa Cubs where he spent the 2013 season until July 2, when he was called up and started a game against the Oakland Athletics.
Rusin was among the last players cut from the major league team in spring training in 2014. Pitching for Iowa, Rusin threw a no-hitter on May 7.

Colorado Rockies

On September 27, 2014, Rusin was acquired by the Colorado Rockies, after being placed on waivers by the Cubs. On August 7, 2016, he gave up Ichiro Suzuki's 3,000th hit. He elected free agency on October 3, 2019.

Atlanta Braves

On January 18, 2020, Rusin signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves. Rusin started 2020 in major league spring training. However, the completion of spring training and start of the regular season was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11. Plans for a shortened “summer camp “ and 60 game regular season were announced on June 22. On June 29, Rusin was included among the Braves ‘ pool of 60 players eligible to play in 2020. On August 1, Rusin’s contract was selected to the 40-man roster.