
By Robert Balajadia
Playing Division I college baseball had always been just over the fences for JFK Islanders star Johnny ‘Base Bully’ Cruz, and his dream became a reality last week when he got the call from Texas A&M to join their Aggies ranks this upcoming season.
Cruz had been scouted since he was 10 years old, playing just one year of baseball in Texas in 7th grade. He wrapped up the season hitting five home runs which was enough for a scout to keep tabs on the young star as he moved back to Guam play out the rest of his high school career for the Islanders.
Cruz’s mother Auria lives out in Texas and assisted in giving Texas A&M the total recruitment package, as far as highlights and accolades where concerned, and Johnny got the call just last week.
“I was just sleeping one night and coach Jason Hutchins [of Texas A&M] called me saying they wanted to offer me a spot on the team. They emailed my AD and he told me the school was interested in me and wanted to give me a tour,” said Cruz on how he found out about the news.
Playing DI ball was the aim for Cruz, but Texas A&M was one of the schools he had dreamed of getting into had playing at that level was even a possibility.
“It was one of my bucket list schools because It’s close to my mom and I’m pursuing my dream for baseball,” Cruz added.
Cruz will be getting a two-year scholarship with incentives to cover a full-ride.

Coach Hutchins has already briefed Johnny on what to expect prior to heading out, and Cruz will be spending his last three weeks on island getting ready for the grind, which has included cardio training whenever can amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
“[Hutchins] just told me to stay strong and healthy and be prepared for whatever they do. They workout twice a day and that’s not something we did in high school so I’ll have to be ready for that. I got a lot of work to do this off season, but I’ll be ready. I played Texas ball before, but I just want to test my limits. There’s going to be a lot of competition there,” said Cruz.
Cruz hadn’t broke the news publicly yet, but a few close friends and family couldn’t hold back the details after sharing it over social media.
“The most exciting thing is just playing D1 baseball period. It’s just another opportunity to raise the bar for Guam,” Cruz added.
“I just want to thank everyone, my dad John McDonald, coaches Matt Muna, Paul Pangelinan and Gene Mendiola. They really pushed me to the point of not wanting to stop. It’s muscle memory now and I just want to play baseball. They’re a big part of me getting to play college ball now. If I ever needed to fix anything they’d always be there to help me and I can’t thank them enough. Also, BIBA ISLANDERS!!”
Cruz wrapped up his final year with a baseball title at JFK, completing a three year resume. He missed his junior season due to injury, but was a stalwart on the All-Island list each season.


2022 GSPN I MÅS METGOT COMPETITION
2022 GSPN I MÅS METGOT COMPETITION
GPS Sports Calendar
August 2022
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for August
2nd
Events for August
5th
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
HEX FIGHT SERIES: AMBROSE VS. BRITES
Events for August
7th
YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
BROGAN WALKER IN TUF FINALE
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for August
7th
Events for August
9th
Events for August
10th
Events for August
13th
48th Tumon Beach 5.5-Miler
GNYFF SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for August
14th
Events for August
16th
Events for August
18th
Events for August
20th
2nd Annual Greg D. Perez Fishing Tournament
GNYFF CHAMPIONSHIPS
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
Events for August
21st
GTF KIDS TRIATHLON
2nd Annual Greg D. Perez Fishing Tournament
Events for August
21st
Events for August
22nd
Events for August
23rd
Events for August
24th
Events for August
25th
Events for August
26th
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
Events for August
27th
Events for August
28th
Events for August
29th
Events for August
30th

Functional Fitness League
STEEL ATHLETICS WINS FFL GYM AFFILIATE CUP

Functional Fitness League
STEEL ATHLETICS WINS FFL GYM AFFILIATE CUP

Football
H.S. FOOTBALL MOVED TO 4TH QUARTER
2022 GSPN I MÅS METGOT COMPETITION
2022 GSPN I MÅS METGOT COMPETITION
2022 GSPN I MÅS METGOT COMPETITION
2022 GSPN I MÅS METGOT COMPETITION
COMING SOON …
- GNYFF Championship Saturday
- 2nd Annual Greg D. Perez Fishing Tournament on Saturday
- GML Playoffs
- 1st Quarter Sports
QUICK HITS
Front L-R: Frankie Borja, Robert Delos Reyes
Back L-R: Marvin Reyes, Ericka Camacho, Gavin Santos, Nick Rivera, Nikki Tan, Adrian Mora, Ralph Sgambelluri