The Next Great One at Bishop Amat
Remember this name, Rio Ruiz.
From everything I hear the 6-foot freshman-to-be could start on Bishop Amat's baseball team right now, and could be starting at quarterback when he's a sophomore. I have some close friends who know the kid very well and they can't wait to follow his high school career. All they keep telling me is he's the next "Great One." I mentioned his name to Lancers baseball coach Andy Nieto, and his eyes lit up. He said everything I've heard is legit, and many more think he could go Div. I in baseball or football, and that it's all up to him. He's a baseball player first, but he's excited about playing football at Amat too.
We wrote a story on Ruiz in our weekly papers a couple months back, click this thread to read it
Thirteen-year-old Rio Ruiz recently showed his baseball prowess on an international stage.
Ruiz helped USA Baseball's first age-14-and-under team win the gold medal at the Pan-American World Baseball Championship tournament, which was held Nov. 24 to Dec. 3 in Puerto Rico. Ruiz batted .316 and recorded two home runs and 8 RBI during the Pan-American tournament. One of Ruiz's home runs came in the gold medal game.
The year 2007 marked the first that USA Baseball sent an age-14-and-under team to international competition.
Ruiz, a Covina resident, was the only San Gabriel Valley player named to USA Baseball's 2007 14U national team, which featured 18 players. He pitched and played infield for the team.
"It was an honor for me to not only represent my country, but to represent my family and my country," Ruiz said. "One of the greatest feelings of my life was being part of that team."
When he first heard about his selection to the USA Baseball team, Ruiz said he was "very emotional."
"After my name was chosen, I went up to my father (Rudy) and he gave me a big hug," Ruiz said.
He added, "Dream big, go big. That was my dream, to make the USA team and it came true."
Ruiz attends St. Louise de Marillac School in Covina, where he is an eighth-grader. He plays football, basketball and volleyball at the school.
Ruiz has experienced success in both football and basketball as well. He guided St. de Marillac's football team to its first final four appearance in the Catholic schools division. He was also named the team's most valuable player during his seventh- and eighth-grade years.
In basketball, Ruiz led St. Louise de Marillac to two tournament victories. He earned All-Tournament honors five times and one tournament MVP award.
But it's baseball that Ruiz favors. He plays club baseball with Team Anderson, which is based in Yorba Linda, and the OC Juice, which plays in Huntington Beach.
"I've been playing it since I was 3 years old," Ruiz said. "Ever since then, I fell in love with the game. My dad introduced it to me and kept working with me until I reached my goals."
The competitiveness of baseball also appealed to Ruiz.
"I love competitive sports and to me, it's one of the most competitive sports that I play," he said.
St. Louise de Marillac coach Sergio Gutierrez praised Ruiz's talent and work ethic.
"He's a terrific young man," said Gutierrez, who has coached Ruiz in football, basketball and volleyball. "He's a tremendous athlete all the way around. He's very team-oriented. What makes it more positive is how he thinks of others before he thinks of himself. He cares more about his team than his individual stats."
Ruiz plans to attend Bishop Amat High School this fall. He hopes to play baseball, football and basketball for the school.
"I'm going to try to focus on baseball and football but if I have a chance for basketball, I'll try out for that," Ruiz said.
Ruiz aspires to advance his game to the big leagues.
"I want to play baseball in college but my ultimate goal is to make it to Major League Baseball, " he said.
Comments
If everyone would just let Rio "The Great One" be and do what he does best, and that's play ball. The best encouragement at 13 is not the negativity but the encouragement to be successful and do his best, because god knows he has been gifted with talent. Be proud that another local boy could someday be in the big leagues. And I agree Rio is of the spanish decent and he represents his multi-culture country the U.S.A. Best of luck RIO!
Posted by: anonymous | July 24, 2008 5:41 PM
I've had a chance to see the next great one in action this past week in the Babe Ruth state tournament. He looks like Amat's best hitter. He has a great approach and appears to hit the ball on the button everytime. Not to take anything away from Bergara or Rodriguez but Ruiz looks like a natural. Even though Amat got blown out last night they put on a good showing at the tournament.
Posted by: Work in Progress | July 18, 2008 11:20 AM
SGV sports fan ur information is not the best. first off anyone whose has ever played baseball in the covina/west covina areas knows josh genzuk is trash, he doesnt get a lick of playing time on the Arsenal lol. secondly playing in the Junior Olympics is like playing in a world series its not as if only the best of the best play in it, if they are that good they would be invited to tryout for the national team which none did. as for bergara he is legit and will be the starting shortstop. they will do ok but they will not win another cif title this year.
Posted by: wow | July 16, 2008 8:35 PM
There is no doubt that young Mr. Ruiz has great potential. That is what this article is about...Potential. The entire Bishop Amat team has great potential. Starting with pitching returners Paul Paez and Brady Zuniga, a strong infield of experienced and proven players like Nick Bergara at 2nd, Josh Genzuk at Short who both are Varsity returners and played Junior Olympics and have been standouts in Travel ball. Strong candidates at 3rd including young Rio Ruiz and Jimmy Jinojosa. At first there are numerous players including J.J. Martinez, Brady Zuniga, Brandon McNitt, all have played Junior Olympics and Varsity ball. The outfield is loaded. Returning are Mike Rodriguez, Justin Grijalva, and add young Joe Eusebio just for starters. Bottom line is that Amat continues to field quality players with quality coaching. The "Next Great One" is the traditional great one... Bishop Amat H.S.
Posted by: SGV Sports Fan | July 16, 2008 3:50 PM
When and If Amat makes the playoffs and Hagerty has success this year look for even more of these So. Hills, Covina, Los Altos resident kids to flock to Amat to play Football. Rio Ruiz is just the start of it. Barring no major setbacks due to injuries or grades and Amat is going to have a brakeout year this season.
Posted by: Tide is turning | July 16, 2008 11:37 AM
B.P.H.S sorry for that mistake lol he is greg's son...psh yeah right baldwin park high school he would be the starting quarterback and wide receiver. he's at south hills right now but should be transfering to charter oak real soon.
Posted by: cohs | July 16, 2008 10:32 AM
C.O.H.S. TRAVIS SANTIAGO IS NOT NORM SON, HE IS GREGS SON. OUTSTANDING TALENT IN BASEBALL AS WELL, SHOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE HIM DEVELOP IN THE NEXT 4 YEARS. HE SHOULD BE AT B.P. THOUGH...
Posted by: B.P.H.S. | July 16, 2008 7:21 AM
Glendimas,
I'm sorry to inform you, but the one thing you will not see from an Amat player is a thrown bat.
You see, at Amat if you throw a bat, you see the bench.
I don't understand all the, well Fred, what about my kid. This story is about Rio Ruiz, and again if you don't like that Fred chooses to pimp an Amat player - DON"T READ OR POST!
Posted by: Go Amat | July 16, 2008 6:50 AM
Remember 06 JR ALL AMERICAN season vs wcovina #33 RB/DB ALVAREZ unstopable/2picks, league champs, 100% football player. AMAT varsity, sophmore. ARE YOU READY..............
Posted by: wc parent | July 16, 2008 12:06 AM
Also remember this name "Travis Santiago"...he was Rio's quarterback for a couple years in jr. all american the kids made a run at the title every single year..Travis will be entering south hills high school for his freshmen year and already got moved up to varsity he shall be a special talent and develop into a player like his dad norm santiago who won 2 cif titles at baldwin park high school under coach zane his grandfather also played ball at the university of oklahoma..
Posted by: cohs | July 15, 2008 6:52 PM
I have seen Lil league and Junior all-American superstars at this age, only to go to High School and fizzle out to burnout at a young age due to travel ball etc. Great baseball players, only to have their arms wasted by the time they get to HS. Throw curves at 11 and 12. Football they lose intrest due to Girls and hanging out at the mall. We should not even talk about this kid or prop him as the next great one only to find he has skipped sports altogether in HS. They all make choices and by 14 and 15 the kid finally makes the decision that I do not want to play this sport anymore. last but not least..injuries, yes bad knees bad shoulders all play a part as parents burn their kids out before HS. Take this kid out of here and save it for a freshman or a sophmore who can be the next great one in HS. Not just Amat Fred everywhere but we know you are pro-amat here so this makes your story juicy...in your demented mind.
Posted by: Kiddie-ball does not count here. | July 15, 2008 1:56 PM
From what i have seen in the last week, he is far from humble. And when he k'd and chucked his bat into the fence wasn't very respectful. Great ability but don't let the bs going on around you ruin your game.
Posted by: glendimas | July 15, 2008 12:38 PM
I agree--he's a 14 year old CHILD -- take this article down with all the negative comments. If I were his parents I'd insist. He doesn't have that 17-18 yr old mentality or maturity to handle this....
Posted by: I agree | July 15, 2008 11:35 AM
Give me a break Fred, you've been looking for a phenom since Pat Hayden,from Amat that is, there are alot of great quarterbacks in the Valley you just choose not to see. Rio is a child and yet unproven but still you pass over athletes that have given thier guts to show pride in they're schools, shame on you!
Posted by: orangeandblacknut | July 15, 2008 11:26 AM
WOW! Was I disappointed reading these comments. I was on a natural high reading about Rio whom I have met and know he is a great humble kid. The story was about how much talent he has. And if that pressure isn't enough for him then he has to see these blogs bringing in race and his parents. COME ON PEOPLE GET A LIFE! Reading the negativity at 13 sucks! He will have to face all that in the coming years when he turns pro, which he will, let the kid be a kid that enjoys the glory that HE HAS WORKED HARD FOR! (All the haters whether towards him with jealousy or his parents because you are nosey, GROW UP!)
Posted by: Mother of Five | July 15, 2008 10:54 AM
Hey dodger blue I agree with your comment about Rio. What does your comment mean about representing your latino people. Sounds like your pretty racist toward other cultures. Who cares if he is of spanish descent. You don't see white people saying I hope he represents our European people or a black person saying I hope he represents our African poeple. Aren't we all Americans. The U.S is a melting pot that's why this country is so unique. Hecho in America!
Posted by: charger spy | July 15, 2008 10:21 AM
Rio Ruiz is the real deal, this kid is tearing up the pitching he has faced this summer playing with the varsity. Rio is playing against some of the best players in the SGV, and what everyone has to understand is that he is facing pitchers that have already graduated and/or are going to be seniors in high school, he is also already one of the best defensive players on this team. Rio is also a great kid, very respectfull and humble. I wish him all the best.
Work hard Rio, and good thing will follow!
Posted by: Go Amat | July 15, 2008 6:44 AM
i wish the kid a lot of success. his dad, ruddy, was a salesman for soto gloves and i know he dedicated a lot of time to his son. i hope he goes on to great things and represents our latino people. for that idiot who is commenting about his parents: get a life you moron. find something better to do than talk crap about other people.
Posted by: dogerblue | July 15, 2008 3:47 AM
lol wow stick to bb kid
Posted by: ted | July 14, 2008 8:28 PM
Rio is a great kid, I have watched him grow up. I hope the best for him, I only hope his mixed up dad and mom can get thier s*** together.
Posted by: sports fan | July 14, 2008 7:11 PM
Sounds like ea a hater. Read the next story,How do you like me now.GO BIG BLUE!!!
Posted by: amon | July 14, 2008 3:58 PM
Ya but he lives in SoCal and his kid plays football not hockey.
Seems that things always change and never remain the same. Same thing for names I suppose
Anyway, if the kid wants to be called the next "great one" or if Fred wants to pin that label on him, then so be it. Maybe he knows something we all don't.
Posted by: jcaz | July 14, 2008 3:33 PM
Fred,
There is only one "GREAT ONE" and he was from north of the border.
Posted by: sgvfootballfan | July 14, 2008 2:58 PM
Rio is a beast. I have seen the kid grow up to be a dominant baseball player. He will definitely continue the string of great baseball players to come out of Amat.
Posted by: yadayadayada | July 14, 2008 2:49 PM