Schools
Johnny on the Spot — Local Product Inks With Orioles
Joliet Catholic Academy product Johnny Ruettiger signed an entry-level contract after being drafted in the eighth round by the Baltimore Orioles.
According to Baseball America, the Baltimore Orioles have signed eighth-round draft pick Johnny Ruettiger of Joliet Catholic Academy to an entry-level contract.
A 6-foot-2, 180-pound outfielder, Ruettiger batted .327 with 53 runs, 37 RBIs, 34 walks and 23 steals as a junior this past spring for Arizona State University. He was named first team all-conference by the Pac-10 and all-region.
Jim Callis of Baseball America noted that Ruettiger “has good speed, a line-drive bat and natural grittiness.”
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A three-year letter-winner, Ruettiger quarterbacked JCA’s football team to the 2007 state championship under coach Dan Sharp and led the Hilltoppers’ baseball team to a third-place finish in 2008 under coach Jared Voss.
As a freshman at Arizona State, Ruettiger batted .360 with a home run, 12 steals and 13 RBIs. After playing DH and all three outfield positions, Ruettiger settled into center as a sophomore and batted .351 with four homers, 30 walks, 10 steals and 35 RBIs.
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His uncle is Dan "Rudy" Ruettiger, who played football at Notre Dame and recorded a sack on the final play of his only appearance, the subject of the movie "Rudy."
