A family of seven sits on the edge of their seats, waiting for a specific name to be called on day two of the 2024 MLB Draft. The air is filled with excitement. At any moment, the dreams of becoming a big leaguer could come true.
Throughout the day, Ryan Campos received calls from his agent, choosing to keep his potential destination a secret after meeting with numerous teams throughout the combine. Where he’d end up was a mystery, according to Ryan’s mom, Lynn Campos.
As Ryan’s name finally flashed on the screen, the dream of going into the pros became a reality when the Arizona local was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals as the 109th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 MLB Draft. From a standout player at Red Mountain High School to one of the top catchers in the nation during his time at Arizona State University to now a pro rookie playing in the St. Louis Cardinals system, Ryan’s journey reveals one grounded in quiet determination and commitment to his craft.
“My determination comes from me just loving the game. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing,” Campos said. “I don’t need time away from the game. It’s just what I like to do.”
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Growing up in a close-knit family with three siblings, the Campos household was filled with constant activity, with each family member actively participating in sports.
Though Campos played multiple sports growing up, his love for baseball began at an early age, largely thanks to his father, a former JUCO player of South Mountain and Mesa Community College who instilled a love of the sport in him.
“I think his love for the game rubbed off on me at a young age,” Ryan said. “As long as I can remember, even when I was playing five to six sports, baseball was the one I loved the most.”
It wasn’t until middle school that he began to focus specifically on baseball, according to Lynn.
Throughout this journey, his family’s support was crucial in keeping him grounded through the highs and lows, knowing that his family would always stand behind him.
“From tough love to just being super truthful, to me doing something stupid or if I do something good, they’re supportive of that, too,” Ryan said. “If I told them I wanted to be a photographer or something, and I just wanted to drop everything, they would support that.”
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Entering Ryan’s freshman year at Red Mountain High School, he earned a spot on varsity, a milestone that didn’t come as a surprise, according to head coach Rob Gorrell.
“He’s the best catcher that’s probably ever been through here, so it’s a no-brainer,” Gorrell said.
Ryan’s talent was undeniable, but Gorrell said his dedication set him apart from other players.
“He worked a lot on his own,” Gorrell said. “Whether it was catching or hitting, defensively or base running, he did a lot to allow him to be successful.”
Gorrell immediately recognized Ryan’s mix of confidence and humility. These traits carried him from high school to college and now into the professional world.
“I think he knows he’s really good, but he doesn’t show it on the outside,” Gorrell said. “It’s his humanity and integrity that has carried him. He gathers people because people root for him because of that, too.”
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At the start of his college career, Ryan found himself in an unfamiliar environment, one that provided him with countless learning opportunities.
“My freshman year was a lot of learning experiences both on and off the field,” Ryan said. “Adjustments I needed to make with my life and my baseball abilities. There’s a lot of things that kind of opened my eyes.”
This period of growth was shaped by Ryan’s discipline and dedication to baseball, qualities that defined his years at ASU, according to friend and ASU baseball’s Director of Community Relations, Armando Flores.
“He’s extremely durable,” Flores said. “We play 56 games a year in college, and Ryan caught probably 52 of them last season. That’s unheard of, especially for a catcher. Very few can go through that many games without an injury, but Ryan was able to do that.”
Flores also highlighted Ryan’s work ethic as a key part of his success.
“He’s a player that was here before anybody else in the locker room showed up, always came early,” Flores said. “He never cheated on his workouts. He ate healthy, and he put in the extra work all year long to make sure that he was in top condition and able to play the game to the best of his ability.”
Alongside his dedication to the game, Ryan emphasized the importance of the relationships he built, which were beneficial to him during his time at ASU.
“Every coach that we’ve had since I’ve been at ASU has been awesome,” Ryan said. “ I’ve been very fortunate that I landed in a spot that I love, and the people here treated me well. They treated me like family.”
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As Ryan finishes his first season in Palm Beach, his commitment to discipline is evident in his routine and approach to the game. Whether it’s how he prepares before each game or his focus on the field, the lessons learned at ASU are carried with him as he begins his professional career.
“I credit ASU for almost everything, like the way I approach games and preparation,” Ryan said. “Everything from ASU, from coaches to players, it’s just built me the way I am today.”
With this mindset, Ryan remains focused on honing his skills and learning to improve himself.
His continued growth shows that the journey is far from over. Despite years of experience, he remains as committed as ever to improving his craft.
“I’ve been playing this game for close to 20 years, almost my whole life,” Ryan said. “You would think after 20 years I would have an idea of what I’m trying to do, but I’m learning all the time.”
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As he embraces this new chapter, Ryan carries with him the drive to continuously improve and the heart of someone determined to make a lasting impact on others’ lives.
“There are a lot of kids like me that are good players but don’t get the recognition,” Ryan said, acknowledging the challenge of being undersized. “I’m always going to have a crutch my whole career. It’s just how it’s going to be, but it shouldn’t be like that.”
Looking ahead, Ryan hopes to create an organization for young athletes to pursue their dreams.
“I want to hopefully look into opening some type of organization, like an outlet for kids to get exposure,” Ryan said. “I want to give back to the game as much as I can because the game’s given me a lot.”
With these aspirations, Ryan is chasing his dreams and working to inspire those watching him along the way.
“I want to be someone that people want to root for,” Ryan said.
This desire to connect with others is deeply rooted in his childhood. Lynn recalls a moment from Ryan’s early years that may have shaped his life’s path.
“He had this little thing when he was in second or third grade, ‘What would you want to be when you grow up?’ And he said, ‘I want to be a baseball player for the New York Yankees’,” Lynn said. “I guess maybe that’s when baseball started for him. That’s what he wanted to be since he was little, so he’s just chasing the dream. So we’ll see how it ends up.”
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