It’s been nearly four years since Watsonville native Ruben Ibarra was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft.
Since then, the former St. Francis High star athlete climbed his way through the Minor League Baseball ranks. The 25-year-old slugger made his debut with the Reds on March 12 during the Arizona Cactus League spring training season.
Ibarra, who was drafted out of San Jose State University, made quite the introduction for himself against the Texas Rangers with a base hit single to left field in the top of the eighth inning.
“It was a really cool moment to get the first one,” Ibarra said about getting his name added to the roster on the evening before the game.
“That’s the drive and adrenaline you get as a kid thinking about being a big leaguer, and it came to me within this timeframe,” he said. “I’m really, really happy that I’m getting this opportunity now in my career.”
In his final spring training appearance, Ibarra had a base hit to right field in the Reds’ 1-0 loss to the San Diego Padres on March 22. He wrapped up the Cactus League season with four hits, including a pair of home runs, three RBIs and two runs scored in five games played.
Prior to his first showing with Cincinnati, Ibarra spent time playing with the Chattanooga Lookouts—the Double-A affiliate of the Reds. He batted a .238 average (91-for-382) with 14 home runs, 56 RBIs and 46 runs scored in 2024.
He will return with the Lookouts for opening day of the 2025 regular season against the Rocket City Trash Pandas—the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels—on April 4 at 7:35pm.
In the meantime, Ibarra will continue to work his way up in the minor league system with hopes of advancing to the Triple-A level with the Louisville Bats, and eventually Cincinnati.
“The biggest dream is to make it to the biggest stage of them all, go to the Great American Ball Park and do that,” he said. “To be here it’s like an appetizer before you get your dessert. This is good but it’s gonna be better when I get that full-size steak. No mozzarella sticks any more.”
Ibarra’s parents, Nikki and Pete, typically make the trek to Arizona to enjoy the spring training festivities. But mom and dad were pleasantly surprised when their son alerted them he’d be playing with the “big boys”, as Pete put it.
“It’s like a dream,” Pete Ibarra said. “Getting to be out there and actually see [Ruben] do it, and doing well. Our fingers are crossed, we’re hoping at least Louisville. If not, a call to ‘The Show.’”
The Ibarras traveled to Goodyear, Ariz. to catch a glimpse of Ruben playing in the Reds’ exhibition game against the Seattle Mariners on March 16. He made an appearance in the bottom of the ninth inning where he took full advantage by hitting his first home run of the Cactus League season.
In a video posted on a Facebook account page, Ibarra can be seen rounding the bases as he points to center field where the ball lands. Then he pointed in the direction of Nikki and Pete who sat in the left outfield box section of Goodyear Stadium before Ibarra made his way to home plate.
“As a dad, it was a very proud moment,” Pete Ibarra said. “I know my wife was very proud of him, as well.”
Ruben Ibarra said accomplishing these milestones means much more by having his parents and other family members or friends in the crowd, especially those from Watsonville.
“I have the American flag on the buckle and I have the 831 on the end of my belt,” he said. “You always let people know where I’m from because they’re always gonna ask about me. ‘Who’s No. 21? Oh, that’s Ruben from Watsonville.’ I love where I’m from. I want to put Watsonville on the map selfishly and unselfishly for the town.”
Ibarra earned his first start as a designated hitter against Seattle on March 21. After striking out twice in his first two at-bats, he stormed back in the top of the seventh inning with a towering 453-foot two-run home run off pitcher Casey Legumina that gave the Reds a 5-3 lead, and the win.
“I was looking at just driving the ball into the gap, honestly, just trying to hit it into center field,” he said. “I noticed [Legumina] was working me outside, and he threw a 1-1 slider on the outside plane, and I caught it. Gave it for a ride, dead center.”
Ibarra said he sprinted out of the box thinking it wasn’t a home run until the Mariners’ first base coach told him he didn’t have to run full speed after hitting a dinger.
“When you get all of it, you don’t really know you got all of it. It’s a weird feeling,” Ibarra said.
Cincinnati’s coaching staff got a small sample of what Ibarra can do with both his bat and glove work as a first baseman, which was nothing short of impressive. And until he gets the call up to the Majors, he’ll continue to play the way he was taught by his dad and former coaches, James and Phil Gomez.
“As I matured as a baseball player, and matured to understand the unwritten rules of baseball, I feel that I’ve accelerated tremendously in that area of growth,” Ibarra said.
Congrats!! Man, you were playing down the street from me, if I would of know I would of gone and cheered for you!