2021 fourth-round pick leads all of Minor League Baseball in slugging, OPS, and total bases
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Minor League Baseball announced on Monday, June 13, that Daytona Tortugas 1B Ruben Ibarra has been named the Florida State League Player of the Week for Week 10 (June 6-12). The 23-year-old is the second Daytona player to be honored with a weekly award this season, joining RHP Sam Benschoter who was named the circuit’s Pitcher of the Week for Week 5 (May 2-8)
Ibarra is the first Tortugas position player to receive a weekly award since SS José Torres was named Low-A Southeast Player of the Week for September 13-19, 2021.
Over the course of the recent six-game homestand against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, Ibarra paced all of Minor League Baseball in slugging percentage (1.200), OPS (1.800), and was tied for Minor League-lead in total bases (24) with 1B Sean Bouchard of Triple-A Albuquerque. The right-handed slugger also ranked second in MiLB in batting average (.600), was tied for second in hits (12), and tied for fifth in on-base percentage (.600).
Among his colleagues in the FSL, Ibarra paced the league in batting average (.600), home runs (3), slugging percentage (1.200), OPS (1.800), hits (12), and total bases (24), in addition to being tied for the lead in RBI (10) and extra-base hits (6). The Watsonville, Calif. native was also second in on-base percentage (.600), tied for third in doubles (3), and tied for fourth in runs scored (6).
Entering Tuesday’s road series opener against the Lakeland Flying Tigers, Ibarra ranks fourth in the FSL on the season in OPS (.864), in addition to sitting fifth in batting average (.286), seventh in slugging percentage (.486), and 10th in on-base percentage (.378).
Ibarra is in his second professional season after being selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of San José State University.
Following the league-wide off day on Monday, the Tortugas will pack up for a six-game road trip against the Lakeland Flying Tigers, the Florida State League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, starting on Tuesday evening. RHP Wilkel Hernández (2-2, 2.60) is projected to take the hill for Lakeland, while Daytona has yet to announce a probable starter. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:15 p.m. leading up to the 6:30 p.m. first pitch from Joker Marchant Stadium.
After the six-game road swing, the Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, June 21, to open up a series against the Jupiter Hammerheads, the Florida State League affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The homestand begins with another Shell Yeah Cookout. The $15 add-on includes the full “Bases Loaded” menu during a 90-minute buffet with hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, baked beans, cookies, Pepsi products, and more. It will be a Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Radiology Associates Imaging. The Tortugas will don special pink-clad uniforms that will be auctioned off at the end of the season with all proceeds to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. It is also a Silver Sluggers Night by Conviva, featuring special team store and concession stand deals for members, plus more. The series opener features Taco Tuesday with options at the concession stands starting at just $3.
Season tickets, multi-game plans, group packages, and single-game tickets are currently available and can be purchased online at www.daytonatortugas.com or by calling the Tortugas’ Ticket Office at (386) 257-3172.
ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGASThe Daytona Tortugas are the Single-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Florida State League. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach, Fla. Jackie Robinson Ballpark also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Museum, and many community events and initiatives of all sizes throughout the year.
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