Being Teammates: From High Point to the Blues

Justin Ruiz and Justin Silverstein both joined the Bristol Blues this summer. While they were playing on a new team, being on the field together was nothing new. Ruiz and Silverstein just finished their first season playing together for High Point University. Ruiz has been a catcher for High Point since the 2024 season, and Silverstein joined the Panthers this past spring. 

Silverstein's debut game for High Point was on Feb 17 against Wake Forest. Not only was that Silverstein's first game for the school, but it was also the first time he and Ruiz had played together. 

"He's [Ruiz] very welcoming, because obviously, I was a transfer; we lived together. He was in the baseball house, I was also, so he was very welcoming, supportive of everything. Great teammate, Justin. We got along really quickly, kind of had the same intentions, just going to win. We want to compete, do what we have to do to be out there and have fun with each other involved, being able to win," said Silverstein. 

The 2026 college season was one for the books for the two of them. Silverstein felt that he and Ruiz clicked during a mid-week game against Duke at Willard Stadium, where the Panthers went on to defeat the Blue Devils 12-6.  When Silverstein first got out onto the mound, he struck out the first batter, and Ruiz went up to him, telling him to go get him, showing full trust in Silverstein. "He [Ruiz] said, let's go get him, and we struck the next guy out on three pitches, and we really pumped up for each other, because he was able to do that for me, and I was able to do it for him," said Silverstein. 

For Ruiz, however, he feels that he and Silverstein clicked during the game against Campbell University. Silverstein had spiked a few fastballs, and Ruiz called time and made sure Silverstein knew the player he is and that he needed to be more competitive, just letting him know he can be that player. After Ruiz talked to Silverstein, he got three strikeouts in a row in that game, and no runs were scored.

Silverstein and Ruiz made their debut for the Blues during the season opener against the Ocean State Waves. The Blues went on to win the game against the Waves 4-2. Playing together once the college season ended was perfect for them both. Being on a new team did not affect the two of them playing together; they quickly and easily got into the flow they had created. "We just kept going with what we had in the spring," said Ruiz. 

What makes their pitcher-catcher partnership work is listening to each other and talking out what they should do next. They might not agree exactly on what they should do, but they listen and figure it out together. Ruiz also knows Silverstein very well; he knows how he likes his pitches called. "He's also got a very good inside, tell for me. He also helps me out with that kind of stuff, where it's just like, hey, I need you to do this," said Silverstein. 

Listening isn't the only thing that makes their partnership work; they build off of each other and build up each other. But the most important part of their dynamic has nothing to do with the game; it's the time outside of baseball. Ruiz and Silverstein have gotten the chance to come up here and get to know somebody, but also to build their friendship by just hanging out and making inside jokes together. 

Going back to High Point, they really just want to take back this experience in Bristol, being out on the field together. They want to continue to grow their connection on the mound and behind the plate together. Being comfortable together, knowing that when both their names get called, it is nothing new they know what the other one wants, and with that type of connection, there is no confusion. They're going to play another full season together, so it will be just like it was when they got to Bristol this summer; it will be like they never left playing together. 

"Honestly just the experience part, he needed to get on the mound as much as he can, and he's still going to, and I'll be behind the plate for that, and whatever we learn, whatever we learn from that is his mistakes, my mistakes, the good things that came out of the out of the performances that we have, we just roll with that, take it ahead," said Ruiz.

Written by: Gabby Algiere