If everything goes right, 10 years from now Aiden Ruiz hopes he will be “on a similar path as Francisco Lindor, a Hall of Fame shortstop.”
The Queens native took a step toward that goal Wednesday, signing a $3.5 million deal with the Pirates after they selected him in the second round of the MLB draft.
“My parents were crying, my siblings were crying. It’s just something we all dreamed of for me,” Ruiz told The Post about getting drafted.
“Everybody was all in, and there’s no way I would have accomplished it without them.”
Ruiz and his family grew up in New York after his late grandfather, Sandalio, left Puerto Rico for a new life.
It was there Sandalio shared his love of the game with his family, inspiring them all to pick up the bat at some point.
Ruiz’s dad, Sam, played in the minor leagues and his brother for Division III Northern Ohio, while both his mom and sister played softball.
The 19-year-old said despite being a Mets fan, if his grandfather were there to see his name called, he would have thrown off his Amazin’ hat to don the Pittsburgh black and yellow.
New York is also where Ruiz played for Stony Brook School on Long Island, slashing .403/.547/.625 with six doubles, two triples, two home runs, 17 RBIs, 21 walks and 23 stolen bases on his way to a NYSAIS state championship his senior year.
His impressive play led to a commitment to Vanderbilt, which he will pass up on in favor of joining the Pirates system.
The shortstop said playing in New York “put a chip on [his] shoulder” and added grit to his game because “Northeast players are not found enough.”
Living in the baseball-crazed city gave him the chance to watch legendary players take the field for the Mets and Yankees every summer as well.
One of those superstars, Lindor, is now his mentor.
The two are represented by the same agency and train together in the summer at Lindor’s former Florida high school, Montverde Academy.
Ruiz said they talk a lot about fielding, something that has helped the shortstop play “future Gold Glove-caliber defense,” according to MLB.com.
Now signed with the Pirates, the 19-year-old has added a few more mentors in the form of teammates.
Notably, Konnor Griffin, the 20-year-old shortstop and former No. 1 overall selection in 2024, already has met with Ruiz.
Though they play the same position, Ruiz doesn’t see their relationship as a competition and is just focused on perfecting his own game.
“What separates Konnor Griffin from other kids that are his age is knowing that you belong there, seeing his confidence and the way he walks, the way he talks,” Ruiz said.
If given the chance, Ruiz added he would play anywhere for the Pirates, as long as he can help add to the “winning culture” and learn from the veterans on the team.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
