MONTEBELLO, Calif. --- It is only about a 12-mile drive from Biola University to AJ Ortiz's home in Montebello. But the infielder/pitcher's path to his collegiate baseball program is filled with amazing accomplishments and is a testament to Ortiz's mature character.
 
The local product has visited several countries and traversed the United States with the elite travel ball teams he has been selected to. But Ortiz has handled the accolades with great humility and has actually gained a greater appreciation for the opportunities the game of baseball has granted him. 
 
"AJ was one of the first recruits we brought on campus when our staff got to Biola last Fall. He brings the ability to be a two-way player for us, and he stabilizes needs we were looking to fill in this class," said Head Coach Jeff Calhoon. "He's a great addition to our family and we are extremely excited to add someone of his caliber from Los Angeles County and we continue to recruit close to home."
 
Ortiz comes to Biola after earning two Perfect Game Preseason All-American honorable mentions and a Perfect Game All-California Region honorable mention as a senior. He was also picked for three NTIS Southern California Region teams that traveled to North Carolina for national tournaments and was part of select teams that traveled to Cuba and the Dominican Republic for international competitions.
 
Ortiz counts the opportunity to represent his country and play in front of packed stadiums as one of the most rewarding experiences of his life and he certainly made the most of his chances overseas. He received All-Tournament and Gold Glove honors while playing in the Dominican Republic. And he threw eight no-hit innings and hit .400 while playing for honorary coaches Tommy Lasorda and Eric Karros in Cuba. 
 
As a result of those experiences and the pure joy for the game Ortiz saw in the children he encountered during his travels, the significance of being able to return to the game and be close to home after COVID-19 cancelations is not lost on him.
 
"I am truly excited about becoming part of the Biola family! Although I lost my senior year in high school due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I had spoken with Coach Calhoon and I knew that this was the family I wanted to be part of," said Ortiz. "I also found out my old pitching coach Bobby O'Neill was an alum [class of 2011] and had nothing but good things to say about the school.  My hope is to contribute and help the squad win in any way I can."
 
AJ Ortiz intends to major in business administration and hopes to be an accountant after getting all the gratification he can from playing baseball.  More information on the rest of the student-athletes that will join him at Biola in 2020-21 can be found on the Committed Athletes page.