FIU Athletics

2025 CUSA All-Academic Team

2025 (Senior): Played in 43 games, made 26 starts in the outfield…tallied 24 hits, two doubles, triple, two homers and 17 runs driven in…registered five multi-hit games…had two hits in season debut in 7-6 win vs Stonehill (2/14)…had a three-hit effort with a two-run homer vs Merrimack (2/28)…recorded three RBI with a double vs Merrimack in 14-4 win (3/1)…added a homer vs Merrimack (3/1) in second game of doubleheader…paced team with three RBI on two hits 22-6 win vs Bucknell (3/13)…notched three hits with a triple and RBI at Bethune-Cookman (3/25)…walked-off vs Stonehill (2/15) on hit-by-pitch…logged two hits with a double at Middle Tennessee (3/28)…notched an RBI and base hit in pinch-hit role over New Mexico State (4/12).

2024 (Junior): Appeared in 36 games, started in nine games in the outfield...logged a homer, ten RBI and five doubles...logged a season-high of three hits with two doubles and a RBI at Jacksonville State (4/6)...recorded a pair of RBI n the extra-inning victory on the road at Jacksonville State (4/7)...notched his first homer of the season vs Sam Houston (5/12)...drove in two RBI on a double at Iowa (5/17)..made his first start of the season at Bethune Cookman (2/20).

2023 (Kansas City Kansas CC): Played in 60 games…Led the Blue Devils with a .429 batting average and 20 doubles….second on the team with 70 RBIs and five triples…belted nine home runs…registered 20 multi-hit games including six games with 3+ hits…drove in six RBIs and smacked two home runs in a four-hit performance vs Fort Scott (4/6)
 
High School: Attended Leadership Christian Academy in 2021…played club baseball at TNXL Academy…graduated with the highest GPA in his class.

Personal: Born June 3, 2003…son of Hector Candelas and Yahaira Gracia.

Fun Facts
If you weren’t playing baseball, what sport would you be playing instead?: Golf
If someone made a movie about your life, who would play you?: Tom Cruise
What’s your walk-up song — and why did you pick it?: Is EOO by Bad Bunny. I like the rhythm and beat of the song; it always hypes me up or gets me in a good mood.
What’s your go-to postgame meal or favorite spot to eat in Miami?: My go-to postgame meal is either rice and beans with Bistec or pasta.
What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t know?: I prefer my cookies slightly burnt rather than soft and chewy.
Who was your favorite MLB player growing up — and what did you learn from them?: My favorite MLB player growing up was Clayton Kershaw, and I learn a lot about what needs to be done and the mentality you need to be one of the greats. Also, I admire the leader and teammate he is, as well as how he treats the public. 
If you could trade places with any teammate for a day, who would it be and why?: If I could trade places with anyone, it would be Mario, mainly so I could finally play shortstop for once. Lefties never get that privilege.
You’re building the perfect gas station snack combo — what’s in your lineup?: Almonds, M&M's, Haribo Twin Snakes, Teriyaki Beef jerky, sliced watermelons, and cherry coke.
What’s your “why” — what motivates you to keep getting better every day?: It is the love and passion I have for the game. It is what I genuinely enjoy doing, and I want to be great and successful at it. 
Who’s someone who’s had the biggest impact on your baseball journey?: My great-grandfather Pedro, my dad, and my mom. All of those people have influenced my life in many ways and have helped me become the person and player I am today.