- Full name Bill Ortega
- Born 07/24/1975 in Havana, Cuba
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- Debut 09/07/2001
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Ortega is one of the many position players frustrating the Cardinals with his stalled development. A Cuban defector, he finally broke through in 2000 but hurt his wrist, an injury that seemed to affect his play most of the 2001 season. He was at his best again in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .387-2-20 in 93 at-bats to raise optimism in the organization again. Ortega is one of the best hitters in the organization. He uses the whole field, though Cardinals officials would like him to show more power. He's big and strong, and he should add power if he gets more lift in his swing. Defense is Ortega's biggest bugaboo and it was dreadful at times in 2001. He needs to get better jumps, play smarter and show motivation to improve in the outfield. Even with all that, he doesn't project to be anything more than an average left fielder at best. Ortega made his major league debut in 2001 and could see time in St. Louis again in 2002, though he'll be hard-pressed to find any regular work there. The Cardinals will be pleased if he puts together a big year at Memphis. -
A Cuban defector, Ortega signed with the Cardinals in 1997 but didn't look comfortable until last year, when he became a Texas League all-star. His season ended early, though, when he collided with an umpire and broke his wrist. He's expected to be healthy for spring training. Ortega was projected as a power hitter when he signed, and he showed it last season. He scorched the ball and hit it all over the park, and when he pulled the ball he showed real juice. He has the potential to hit 25-30 home runs a season if he keeps developing. While Ortega's defense in right field has improved, the Cardinals were a little surprised when a survey of Texas League managers named him as the league's best defensive outfielder. They think he'll be an adequate left fielder, and he definitely has a left-field arm. His reluctance to draw walks could be exploited by more experienced pitchers. His bat will take him as far as he's going to go, so the Cardinals will move Ortega up to Memphis and see if he keeps hitting. He's a bit old for a prospect, so he could move quickly.
Minor League Top Prospects
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A freak collision with an out-of-position umpire in mid-July brought a premature end to an impressive season for Ortega. He blossomed into a .316 hitter in 1999, then started to turn on pitches this year. He drilled eight homers in April, just three short of his career high. Though St. Louis is well stocked in outfielders with J.D. Drew, Jim Edmonds and Ray Lankford, don’t count Ortega out. He may have had the best all-around package of tools among TL position players. "Ortega was grading high on everything from outfield arm to power potential," a NL scout said. "There wasn't a lot of doubt he didn't belong at this level any longer."
Scouting Reports
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A freak collision with an out-of-position umpire in mid-July brought a premature end to an impressive season for Ortega. He blossomed into a .316 hitter in 1999, then started to turn on pitches this year. He drilled eight homers in April, just three short of his career high. Though St. Louis is well stocked in outfielders with J.D. Drew, Jim Edmonds and Ray Lankford, don’t count Ortega out. He may have had the best all-around package of tools among TL position players. "Ortega was grading high on everything from outfield arm to power potential," a NL scout said. "There wasn't a lot of doubt he didn't belong at this level any longer."