2019 4th round pick (108): Joseph Ortiz - SS - (JR) New Mexico State

[weams]

Can play short. Plus defender. Enough arm to stay. Excellent contact skills. Maybe some sneaky pop. May outplay his tools. Per Callis. Age 20. 

Goes by "Joey"

https://kfoxtv.com/sports/local-sports/stellar-season-sees-ortiz-become-highest-aggie-to-be-drafted

Batting Statistics

Year	Team	POS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	GP	AB	R	H	2B	3b	HR	RBI	HP	BB	SO	SB	CS
2017			.306	.355	.387	.742	55	222	48	68	10	4	0	35	3	17	24	10	4
2018			.289	.368	.426	.794	60	235	58	68	3	4	7	54	6	24	25	13	2
2019	NMSU	INF	.422	.474	.697	1.171	55	251	85	106	25	10	8	84	9	21	26	12	4

Player Wire

https://nmstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5434

[Moose Milligan]

Joey Ortiz, SS.  

[Yossarian]

Joey Ortiz - SS  New Mexico State?

[Moose Milligan]

Who needs Bobby Witt Jr when you've got this kid?

[MurphDogg]

True defensive shortstop, the question is whether the bat plays, per Callis and company. Don't trust those numbers in NMSU, some wild elevation out there.

[justD]

From MLB Pipeline

Quote

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 35 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45

A year ago, right-hander Kyle Bradish set a New Mexico State record by being the first player from the program to be drafted in the fourth round. This year, Ortiz is the top Aggies player on Draft boards with the chance to be the first position player from the school to go in the top five rounds since the Nationals took outfielder Daniel Johnson in the fifth back in 2016.

Ortiz's best quality is his ability to stay at shortstop long-term. He has really good hands and first-step quickness to go along with enough arm to stick at the premium position. The right-handed hitter has a solid approach at the plate with very good bat-to-ball skills that have allowed him to hit over .400 this spring. He should be able to hit for average at the next level, though the power he has shown is a bit of a hitter-friendly environment and conference mirage.

A bit undersized, Ortiz isn't a sexy pick in terms of loud tools. But his high marks for work ethic and leadership skills to go along with his defensive chops and contact skills should give him a shot to go at some point on Day 2 of the Draft.

 

[Yossarian]

A year ago, right-hander Kyle Bradish set a New Mexico State record by being the first player from the program to be drafted in the fourth round. This year, Ortiz is the top Aggies player on Draft boards with the chance to be the first position player from the school to go in the top five rounds since the Nationals took outfielder Daniel Johnson in the fifth back in 2016. Ortiz's best quality is his ability to stay at shortstop long-term. He has really good hands and first-step quickness to go along with enough arm to stick at the premium position. The right-handed hitter has a solid approach at the plate with very good bat-to-ball skills that have allowed him to hit over .400 this spring. He should be able to hit for average at the next level, though the power he has shown is a bit of a hitter-friendly environment and conference mirage. A bit undersized, Ortiz isn't a sexy pick in terms of loud tools. But his high marks for work ethic and leadership skills to go along with his defensive chops and contact skills should give him a shot to go at some point on Day 2 of the Draft.

[interloper]

 

[forphase1]

#179 on the MLB.com rankings.  Interesting.

[interloper]

I believe Elias has been quoted as saying he likes position players. 

[Moose Milligan]

Just now, interloper said:

 

Draft the position players and...um, hope for the arms.  

[LookinUp]

I have to believe that Elias et al believe they can make tweaks to guys approaches to make them more productive hitters. Not just with this kid. With all of them. If he can take guys with defensive value and get offensive value out of them, he has a major leaguer. 

[Yossarian]

Now load up on pitching and corner outfielders with some power

[baltfan]

I wonder if the college emphasis is in part due to our entire operation not being up and running.  Perhaps they are more comfortable with the read they have on college guys. 

[MurphDogg]

Just now, interloper said:

I believe Elias has been quoted as saying he likes position players. 

If you look at the Astros roster, few of the impact pitchers and no starters were drafted or signed as amateur free agents, all acquired via trade, waivers or free agents.

Different approach to "Grow the arms, buy the bats".