Slick fielding infielder who can play a legitimate major league shortstop, followed up a half of a solid offensive 2022 campaign with an outstanding full offensive 2023 campaign and comes in as the #6 prospect.
Joey Ortiz
Pos: SS/2B/3B
Bats: R
Throws: R
Age (as of Jun 30th) : 24
2023 Level: AAA/MAJ
Tools (current/future value)
Hit: 45/50
Game Power: 40/45
Raw Power: 50/50
Run: 55/55
Defense: 60/65
Most Likely Future Role: Starting SS or 2B
Ceiling: 1st Division Starting SS
What we know: Probably the prospect who was most blocked from the major league level despite being ready. The 24-year old slick fielding infielder put together an outstanding season on offense and defense that was only slowed by a few nagging injuries, a oblique injury, and inconsistent playing time during his major league recall.
Put up a 121 wRC+ and a .388 wOBA in 389 AAA PAs while hitting the ball hard to all field. For a guy with average raw power, Ortiz hits the ball consistently hard putting up consistent 100 MPH plus EVs with a top EV at 115 MPH in AAA. He mostly has pull power, but will hit the ball gap to gap collecting an impressive 30 doubles and four triples to go along with his nine homeruns.
Received three separate promotions to Baltimore but surprisingly was treated as a utility guy versus a legitimate major league prospect but getting uneven playing time. When he did start to get some consistent playing time he started to hit but then was sent back down. Ortiz can hit good fastballs, but struggles at time with good offspeed pitches and hit too many balls on the ground, especially at the major league level.
Defensively, he’s easily the best defensive shortstop in the system who is major league ready with the glove. He has plus range, very good hands, turns the double play well, has great baseball instincts, and his quick release overcomes his slightly below average major league shortstop arm. When he plays second base he’s a plus-plus defender there, and even showed solid range in some 3B time.
What we don’t know: There are some concerns that Ortiz hits too many good offspeed pitches on the ground and he’ll chase occasionally as well. His pull power also may not play in cavernous Camden Yards, but he still should be able to hit for gap power. While he doesn’t have the plus arm strength that a team would prefer at shortstop, he does get rid of the ball quick with accurate throws, but is he good enough to push Gunnar Henderson to 3B?
What we think: Joey Ortiz was a victim of the Adam Frazier signing and ended up buried in AAA when he was a better player overall than the veteran. Saying that, he did not sulk and played well all season despite being moved up and down three times and missed about three weeks in September with an oblique injury. Ortiz will play 2024 at 25-years old and is ready to be an everyday major league infielder. He could very well end up the Orioles starting SS if the team decides to move Henderson to 3B, or could also end up the every day 2B if Jordan Westburg is moved. He also could fill at all three positions while getting 4 or 5 starts a week or traded in a package for impact pitching or hitting. Whatever happens, Ortiz should play 2024 at the major league level.