Drafted in the 6th round (183rd overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2009 (signed for $125,000).
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Catcher Ryan Ortiz has hit well, both in the Cape Cod League and during his time at Oregon State. Still, scouts see a long swing and ultimately view him as more of a backup if he makes it to the major leagues. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder, a preseason third-team All-American, has solid athleticism and a quick release from behind the plate. He's just adequate defensively with an average arm, though he has consistent 1.95-2.0 second pop times and nabbed 32 percent of opposing basestealers this year. He's also handled velocity on the Beavers' talented staff.
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Ortiz' first full pro season in 2010 was interrupted by surgery on his throwing shoulder that August, and he didn't get back into games until late last May. When he did, he made quick work of the California League and made his Double-A debut in July. He already had an advanced feel for hitting and the ability to go to the opposite field. He used to be more of an upright swinger, and last season he started using his legs more. He was able to get down to the ball and drive it, and he has enough raw power to be a 20-homer threat. Ortiz's bat is ahead of his defense, which needs plenty of polish. He'll have to do a better job of getting down and blocking balls, and scouts aren't impressed with his receiving. He allowed 17 passed balls in just 68 games behind the plate in 2011. Ortiz showed an average arm before his surgery, but it hadn't come back last season, when he threw out just 17 percent of basestealers. He does receive high marks for his ability to handle a pitching staff. Ortiz's bat will give him a chance as long as he stays at catcher. He's a below-average runner, and his value will plummet if he ever has to move to another position. He'll return to Double-A to start 2012.
The A's would have preferred for Ortiz to open his first full season in low Class A last year, but Max Stassi's presence in Kane County necessitated bumping Ortiz up a level. Oakland kept the pressure off him by not having him play every day for Stockton, and the plan seemed to work well as he hit .302 through the end of June. He batted just .202 in July, though, and was bothered by nagging right shoulder soreness, which led to him getting shut down and having surgery in August. Ortiz has an outstanding feel for hitting and a natural swing. He stays behind the ball using an up-the-middle approach, and he has learned to drive balls to the opposite field. He won't hit for a lot of power, but he had shown improvement in that regard before getting hurt. Ortiz moves well behind the plate and is an above-average receiver. He has an average arm and threw out 32 percent of basestealers in 2010, thanks largely to improved footwork. The question now is how well his arm will bounce back from the surgery. He's a below-average runner. The A's would like Ortiz to get to Double-A in 2011, but that will depend on how quickly he returns to health. They won't force the issue, and he could begin the year in extended spring training.
Ortiz was a little-used freshman on Oregon State's 2007 national championship squad, then took over as the Beavers' everyday catcher and shined for two seasons. After leading Oregon State in hitting for two years with a .351 average in 2008 and .352 last spring, Ortiz found the going tougher in pro ball after signing for $125,000 as a sixth-round pick. He made adjustments to his stance in instructional league, trying to eliminate a head tilt that caused him to pull off balls. The A's also want him to use his legs more and believe the changes should help him unlock at least average raw power. He hit just 10 home runs during his collegiate career. One scout compared Ortiz's swing to Jayson Werth's, and he has already shown good pitch recognition and a willingness to work the count. His defense is a work in progress. He's athletic and has an average arm, and he threw out 35 percent of basestealers last summer. But his footwork and receiving need improvement after he led the short-season Northwest League with 13 passed balls. Oakland believes Ortiz has enough athleticism to play other positions should the need arise, but in the short term he's expected to share Kane County's catching duties with Max Stassi.
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