- 2021 NCAA Gainesville Regional All-Tournament Team
2021: Started all 61 games as a true freshman...made starts at 3B (29), 2B (18), CF (11) and SS (1)...batted .265 with 22 RBI and 39 runs scored...led the team in doubles (15) and tied for the lead in triples (3)...ranked third on the team in hits (59)...had a team-best eight stolen bases...second on the team in walks (33), including 11 over 11 postseason games...recorded 17 multi-hit games, including six three-hit affairs...season-high four RBI, including his first collegiate homer, vs. FAMU (2/26).
RECRUITING:Â (Perfect Game Ranking: State-14th OF, National-379) (Prep Baseball Report Rank: State-91st).
HIGH SCHOOL: Coached by Bruce Aven at American Heritage School, where he posted a .320 career batting average in three varsity seasons along with a .427 slugging percentage, .408 on-base percentage, three homers, 45 RBI and 23 walks… Earned 2019 All-America Second Team honors in 2019 and was named to 6A-15 All-District Team as an outfielder in 2018 and 2019… Had three RBI and a .375 on-base percentage through 26 at-bats during the shortened 2020 season… As a junior in 2019, batted .316 with three homers, 21 RBI, a .481 slugging percentage and a .409 on-base percentage… Batted .342 as a sophomore in 2018 with 21 RBI, a .419 on-base percentage and a .411 slugging percentage.
PERSONAL: Born Jan. 11, 2002 in Miami, Fla. … Son of Mario Ruiz and Maria Maldonado… Has two older brothers, Andrew and Jeremy, and an older sister, Tabitha… Played travel ball for Elite Squad based in Pembroke Pines, Fla., earning Perfect Game Tourney All-American Second Team Hitting honors (2019) and all-tournament team selections seven times from 2017-19… Majoring in health sciences… Wants to open his own PT practice one day... Also received scholarship offers from UCF, Miami, Wake Forest, Stetson, Embry-Riddle and North Alabama… Enjoys listening to music, playing other sports and going out with friends... Favorite movie is Scarface... Favorite MLB team is the New York Yankees and favorite player was Derek Jeter... Models his game after Fernando Tatis Jr.
