Joey Ortiz was born in Garden Grove, California, on July 14, 1998. He played high school baseball at Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, CA. He was the 47th-ranked shortstop and the 251st-ranked overall player in California. At Pacifica, he hit .290 with a .348 OPS; he had six doubles, two triples, 23 RBI, 26 runs scored, one stolen base, and ten walks. Ortiz was ranked the 343rd shortstop in the country and the top 1,000 overall players. He committed to play college baseball at the Nex Mexico State University.
Where Did Joey Ortiz Go to College?
In his first season at New Mexico State, he played in 55 games and slashed .306/.355/.387 with a .742 OPS; he had ten doubles, four triples, 35 RBI, 48 runs scored, ten stolen bases, and 17 walks. In the summer, he played for the Baltimore Dodgers in the Cal Ripken Collegiate League, and 40 games, he slashed .320/.363/.477 with a .840 OPS; he had 15 doubles, three triples, two home runs, 25 RBI, 32 runs scored, 17 stolen bases, and 13 walks. In his second season at New Mexico State, he played in 60 games and slashed .289/.368/.426 with a .794 OPS; he had three doubles, four triples, seven home runs, 54 RBI, 58 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, and 24 walks. In the summer, he played for Willmar of the Northwoods League, playing 34 games. He slashed .282/.404/.331 with a .735 OPS; he had six doubles, 14 RBI, 20 runs, 12 stolen bases, and 21 walks. In his final season at New Mexico State, he played in 55 games and slashed .422/.474/.697 with a 1.171 OPS; he had 25 doubles, ten triples, eight home runs, 84 RBI, 85 runs scored, 12 stolen bases, and 21 walks.
When Was Joey Ortiz Drafted?
Ortiz was the 179th-ranked prospect entering the 2019 draft and would be taken in the fourth round by the Baltimore Orioles.
Joey Ortiz Orioles Tenure
2019
Ortiz started in the Low-A with Aberdeen, where he played in 56 games and slashed .241/.345/.267 with a .812 OPS; he had two doubles, one home run, 17 RBI, 23 runs scored, two stolen bases, and 30 walks.
2020
Ortiz didn’t play as the minor league season was canceled due to COVID
2021
Ortiz played for High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie, playing 35 games. He slashed .265/.353/.449 with a .801 OPS; he had nine doubles, two triples, four home runs, 17 RBI, 25 runs scored, four stolen bases, and 16 walks.
2022
In 2022, Ortiz made his jump playing with Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, appearing in 137 games and slashed .284/.349/.477 with a .826 OPS; he had 35 doubles, six triples, 19 home runs, 85 RBI, 91 runs scored, eight stolen bases, and 50 walks.
2023
Ortiz started 2023 as the 95th ranked prospect in baseball by Baseball America and the 99th by MLB.com and started with Triple-A Norfolk, playing in 88 games, and he slashed .321/.378/.507 with a .885 OPS; he had 30 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, 58 RBI, 66 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, and 32 walks. He also made his big league debut with the Orioles, playing in 15 games, and he slashed .212/.206/.242 with a .448 OPS; he had one double, four RBI, and four runs scored.
Future
ITD ranks Ortiz as the 50th overall prospect and the Orioles sixth ranked prospect. He will likely start the season either at Triple-A Norfolk.
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