Suffolk's Next Baseball Star Goes Pro

Getting drafted by a Major League Baseball team is a dream come true for any young player, but signing that first professional contract is a moment that makes the dream feel real.

That special moment recently arrived for Suffolk baseball standout Aiden Ruiz, who officially began his professional career after signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ruiz, a recent graduate of The Stony Brook School, was selected by the Pirates with the 44th overall pick in the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft. The organization showed just how much they believed in the talented shortstop by signing him to a $3.5 million contract, which he officially put pen to paper on last week.

Originally committed to Vanderbilt University, Ruiz made the decision to begin his professional journey after being selected in the draft, choosing to chase his dream of reaching the major leagues.

The highly regarded prospect entered the draft as one of the top young talents in the country. Ruiz was ranked the No. 9 player in the 2026 class by Perfect Game and the No. 32 overall player in the draft by MLB Pipeline.

A switch-hitting shortstop, Ruiz has earned praise for his combination of defensive ability, athleticism, and advanced contact skills at the plate. His versatility and baseball instincts have made him one of the most exciting prospects in the draft class.

Originally from Queens, Ruiz has continued to build his reputation as one of the top players in the region, and now he will begin the next chapter of his baseball journey in the Pirates organization.

For Suffolk baseball fans, Ruiz's signing represents another reminder of the incredible talent coming out of Long Island. From high school fields to professional baseball, his journey is just beginning, and the community will be following closely as he works toward his ultimate goal of reaching the major leagues.