Joey Ortiz

The definition of a spare piece for Baltimore, Ortiz was shipped to Milwaukee along with DL Hall in exchange for Corbin Burnes in a contract year. The righty-hitting Ortiz is a plus defender who can play all over the infield, but he didn't project to provide enough offensive impact to play ahead of players like Jackson Holliday or Gunnar Henderson long term. Ortiz is a capable offensive player - he slashed .321/.378/.507 with nine home runs, 11 steals and a 17.7 percent strikeout rate in 88 games at Triple-A, good for a 121 wRC+. However, his .373 BABIP and the fact he turns 26 in July make that Triple-A production less impressive. Ortiz is a candidate to hit 10 homers and steal 10 bases without hurting your batting average, but he could hit at the bottom of the lineup against righties. He enters the season only eligible at second base, but Ortiz should play pretty regularly at third base early this season and he could be the shortstop of the future if Willy Adames leaves next offseason in free agency or gets traded during the season.

Seen as a glove-first shortstop prior to 2022, Ortiz showed more of a well-rounded game en route to getting added to Baltimore's 40-man roster as Rule 5 draft protection. Few minor leaguers were more productive than Ortiz in the final three months of last season. He hit .351/.416/.625 with 17 home runs and seven steals in 74 games from July through September across stops at Double-A and Triple-A. Unfortunately, he is on the low end of the spectrum for anticipated speed from a middle-infield prospect. Ortiz went 8-for-10 on stolen-base attempts in 137 games, so he shouldn't be expected to help much in that department in the majors. However, if he is anywhere close to the hitter he was in the second half last season, his defense would allow him to play every day at shortstop or second base. Ortiz will be competing with quality players like Ramon Urias, Connor Norby and Jordan Westburg for starts at the keystone. He could also displace Jorge Mateo at shortstop if the Orioles want a more well-rounded option there.