Abimelec Ortiz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #16 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Ortiz went to high school at the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico and then played one season at Florida Southwestern State JC, where he hit .349 with nine home runs. He signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2021 draft and in 2023 hit 33 home runs, which was tied for fourth in the minors.
  
  Scouting Report: Ortiz’s first two seasons as a pro were fairly nondescript. His career turned when he was diagnosed with astigmatism and got corrective lenses. Once he was able to see the ball, he began hitting it hard and often. He made loud contact all year long, and his average (90 mph) and 90th percentile (106.1) exit velocities were some of the best in the system. He also simplified his mechanics to turn a leg lift into a toe-tap. Now, Ortiz must do better against premium velocity. He whiffed more than 35% against fastballs thrown 95 mph or harder, and was particularly susceptible when they were thrown up in the zone. Ortiz has seen some time in the outfield, but first base and DH are his likely homes. He’s a below-average defender and a well below-average runner, so all of his value is going to have to come when he’s in the batter’s box.
  
  The Future: Ortiz will move to Double-A in 2024, when he’ll try to improve against hard fastballs in order to let his strength and power play to their fullest. He could be an everyday first baseman on a second-division club.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Field: 40 | Arm: 40