Darin Ruf hit his league-leading 11th home run of the Venezuelan Winter League Sunday. Ruf has continued to mash after belting 38 homers at Double-A and three in 33 late-season at-bats for the Phillies. The Phils have also received positive reports on his defense in left field, though we're skeptical that he'll ever be even an average defender out there. But, there's no doubt that the bat is intriguing, and he could compete for a starting job in spring training.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro said he's gotten good reports from the Venezuelan Winter League on Darin Ruf's defense in left field. With Ryan Howard manning first base, Ruf will have to show he can play adequate defense in the outfield if he wants a starting job in Philly. The Phillies are giving him extra reps this winter in Venezuela, where he's also belted nine home runs in 20 games. "Yeah, baby, I love it," Amaro said of the reports on Ruf. "I hope that he's challenging for a job in left field next year for the Fightins. (Phillies staffer) Jorge (Velandia) likes him and says he can play left field. We'll get others to see him. We're not giving him anything, but he's certainly in the conversation."

Darin Ruf smashed a pair of solo home runs, accounting for all of the Phillies' scoring in a losing effort against the Nationals on Tuesday. Ruf finished the evening 2-for-4. The first was a towering drive to left off Tom Gorzelanny in the fourth inning, and he added another courtesy of Tyler Clippard in the eighth. The 26-year-old slugger has been extremely impressive in his brief time with the Phillies, hitting .355/.364/.774 with three homers and nine RBI in only 31 at-bats. With the strong impression, he may have a legitimate shot at landing a spot on the Opening Day roster next season.

Darin Ruf accounted for the only offense in Monday's win over the Nationals, tripling in a pair of runs. Ruf's three-bagger in the second scored Carlos Ruiz and Domonic Brown, and it proved to be all Kyle Kendrick and the bullpen needed. The 26-year-old has put together a modest seven-game hitting streak since he's gotten a shot to play every day and is batting .333/.345/.593 in his 10 games with the Phils.

Darin Ruf is in the Phillies' starting lineup Saturday for the fifth consecutive game. With Ryan Howard out, Ruf will be making his debut at first base. He enters Saturday on a five-game hitting streak.

Darin Ruf smashed a three-run double, accounting for all of the Phillies' offense in Thursday's loss to the Nationals. Ruf finished the night 2-for-4. The 26-year-old slugger has certainly made a strong impact through his first three starts. He's hit safely in all three contests, going 5-for-11 (.455) with a homer and four RBI. He has another week's worth of games to prove himself heading into the 2013 season, but he has certainly put himself on the radar already.

Darin Ruf will start in left field Tuesday against the Nationals. This is his first start since being called up from Double-A Reading earlier this month. "Babe" Ruf has primarily played first base in the minors, but the Phillies are willing to experiment now that they are essentially out of the Wild Card race.