TAMPA, Fla. – One of Ryan Pruitt’s favorite players is Arizona Diamondbacks’ outfielder Corbin Carroll. The native Texan and USF lefty-swinging leadoff batter is doing a heck of a job of impersonating the 2023 National League Rookie of the Year.
Pruitt heads into this weekend’s series against visiting Maryland hitting a team-leading .373. Only Sebastian Greico has a higher OPS on the Bulls, 1.262 to 1.060. Not that he minds.
“I like seeing him put balls over the wall,” Pruitt said of his slugging teammate, who has six homers through 14 games. “Anytime I get on, there is a good chance he will knock me in.”
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There was likely little chance of getting in touch with Pruitt in October 2023. He was, after all, busy watching another of his favorite players helping lead the Texas Rangers to the World Series.
“My swing is modeled after Corey Seager a little bit,” he said of the veteran shortstop. “I have always liked watching him, especially when he and the Rangers won the World Series.”
(Rays fans need not be reminded that Seager was 5-for-8 with three doubles in Texas’ wild card sweep of their team in what could be the last playoff series at the Trop.)
Pruitt’s swing has opened eyes among the green and gold faithful. In addition to his lofty average, the center fielder has a pair of homers, six doubles, 13 RBI, and seven stolen bases in 14 games for the 7-7 Bulls. Indeed, Pruitt has brought a lot to the table.
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“Ryan is a really versatile player,” said coach Mitch Hannahs, in his first season at USF following 11-year stint at Indiana State. “Speed is probably the best tool that he has and he does a really good job of playing to that speed.”
A major change in a string of changes for Pruitt during his collegiate career took place last year. While at Yavapai College, a JUCO in Arizona, Hannahs’ assistant at Indiana State, Kevin Bowers, now the recruiting coordinator with the Bulls, reached out. The recruitment led to Pruitt committing to the Sycamores, at least until last summer when Hannahs took the job at USF. Instead of Terre Haute, Pruitt packed his bags for Tampa.
“They let me know they were moving down here,” said Pruitt. “So, Indiana versus Florida. I would much rather take the beach weather.”
A stroll along the bay with his parents served as sufficient confirmation that he made the proper change of address. While playing for Hannahs, who has brought a high level of accountability to the program, is anything but a day at the beach, playing at USF for the veteran coach has been no less than a wonderful experience for Pruitt.
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“It’s awesome and I love it,” he said. “It is a completely different experience than JUCO. The facilities here are awesome.”
It has been quite an experience for the 5-foot-11, 182-pound Pruitt to get to this point as USF is his fourth school after attending three junior colleges.
“No matter where you are, where you come from, you have to show up every day and prove yourself,” he said. “Nothing is going to be given to you.”
That is so true. Pruitt, though, has been giving opposing pitchers plenty of headaches.
“He wanted to come down here and, fortunately for us, he did,” said Hannahs. “He is a really solid player with a solid toolset. If you need a bunt, he can bunt. If you want to hit-and-run, he can hit-and-run. He can steal bags, plays very good defense and is a very heady player.”
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