Jhailyn Ortiz

Name: Jhailyn David Ortiz
Born: 11/18/1998
Position: OF
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 215lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Options Remaining: 3
Rule 5 Eligible: 2019
MiLB Free Agency: 2022
Drafted: International FA
From: Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic
Signed: 7/10/2015
Bonus: $4,010,000

Stats: MiLB | B-Ref | Fangraphs | Baseball America | Baseball Prospectus 

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2016 Preseason:

Role: First Division Regular
Risk: Extreme – Ortiz’s raw power makes his upside immense, but he is a big bodied 17 year old who has no pro at bats.  Reportedly Ortiz has shown a good approach, and he moves well for his size, so the risk may go down in future years, but it is a tough profile.
Summary:  The Phillies spent a lot to get Ortiz.  They traded two pitchers to get the slot money and locked in their 2015-2016 International signing period in the Fall of 2014.  At the time, Ortiz was possibly the top player in the July 2 class  By the time July rolled around and he got to officially sign he had slipped well down public rankings (he also sat there not getting to play games for like 6 months).  The Phillies still gave him a $4M signing bonus (the largest among J2 players), and despite the industry skepticism, I trust Sal Agostinelli.  What the Phillies paid for is a unique young player.  He is a massive 17 year old, with massive power.  In addition to the power being prodigious he has the ability to use it in games.  However, as you would expect from a guy his size, there is some swing and miss, especially with soft away.  Like many 17 year olds, the approach can leave a lot to be desired at times, though he was solid in Instructs vs older talent.  It can be a bit rough in left due to his routes and instincts, but the range is there.  Despite his size, Ortiz is a present average runner and has a good amount of athleticism.  The Phillies will likely keep in left field for a while.  Ortiz is not a small man, but while he could certainly lose some extra mass, he is not fat.  The key will be keeping the weight off while maintaining his athleticism.  Overall you just don’t see teenagers shaped like Ortiz very often, and with differences from the norm you get a lot of concern.  The upside potential for Ortiz is a 40+ home run left fielder, and if the bat develops, a move to first base won’t harm him much.
2016 Outlook:  Given the Phillies’ investment in Ortiz, it is almost assured that Ortiz will go to Extended Spring Training and then the GCL.  Ortiz is on the older end of the spectrum for a July 2 signing so there will a lot of pressure to perform.

2015 Pre-Signing:

Ortiz was the top player in the 2015 July 2 class a year before the signing period opened.  His stock dropped in the spring of 2015 as he struggled in high profile showcases.  Ortiz has plus plus raw power, but is large for a 16 year old at 6’2″ 260lbs.  He plays in a corner right now, but many evaluators think he will eventually end up at first base as he grows older and slower.

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[section=Video:]

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[section=Articles:]

  • Phillies Minor Thoughts
  • International Reviews: Philadelphia Phillies – Ben Badler (Baseball America)
  • Storied Path led slugging prospect Ortiz to Phils – Paul Hagen (Phillies.com)

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[section=Transactions]

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[section=Injuries]

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