Jose Ortiz Fantasy Prospect Profile

Jose Ortiz: Most likely the next young Oakland prospect that will crack into the A's lineup, Ortiz showed marked improvement in his second season in the Pacific Coast League. Enough improvement that should allow him to take over at second base for Oakland in 2001.

A free agent signed out of the Dominican Republic in 1994, Ortiz batted .284 with nine home runs, 45 runs batted in, 29 doubles, two triples, 66 runs scored, 29 walks, 50 strikeouts, and 13 steals in 377 at-bats for Triple-A Vancouver. In 2000, coming off his best full season to date statistically, Ortiz improved those numbers across the board while playing at Triple-A Sacramento. When the season came to a close, Ortiz wound up batting ,351 24 home runs, 108 runs batted in, 34 doubles, 5 triples, 107 runs scored, 7 walks, 64 strikeouts, and 22 steals in 518 at-bats, allowing him to win the league batting title and MVP. The biggest reason for his numbers' jump was that he showed more discipline at the plate. While the only negative to his season was the 32 errors he committed while making the move from shortstop over to second base.

With current A's second baseman Randy Velarde just being traded, it seems like Ortiz is almost assured of being the opening day starter unless he really has major struggles in spring training. When you team him with Miguel Tejada, you should have one of the best young, offensive, double-play combo's in the majors.

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By Robert Sherry