Ramon Ortiz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #1 prospect in 1999
  Background: Ortiz was named the Angels' No. 3 prospect after the 1997 season, when he led all minor league pitchers with 225 strikeouts. He spent most of the 1998 season on the disabled list with a fracture in his right elbow, essentially the same injury that stalled the career of righthander Pete Janicki, the Angels' 1992 first-round pick. Ortiz progressed through the final stages of his rehab during instructional league. The Angels reported that he was throwing 92-93 mph with his fastball, close to his normal range, but that he still hadn't developed the confidence to fully cut loose with his breaking ball. Strengths: When healthy, Ortiz has two plus major league pitches. His fastball registers 94-95 mph on the gun and has plenty of late explosive life. His big strikeout pitch is a breaking ball he throws from 81-85 mph that has a sharp, sweeping break. Some scouts call it a curveball because of the size of the break, others call it a slider because of the pitch's velocity. Hitters, who have struck out 278 times in Ortiz' last 228 innings, usually call for a day off. Ortiz also has a mature ability to throw strikes with both pitches. Weaknesses: Ortiz must prove that he not only is physically healthy but mentally recovered from his injury. The lost innings shouldn't hurt too much, considering he already has more than 400 minor league innings and is fairly polished with his delivery and mechanics. Probably the one thing Ortiz needs the most work on is his changeup. The Future: Ortiz is frequently compared to Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez because of his size, Dominican heritage and the ease with which he throws the ball. He is still plenty young enough to be able to work through his injury and get his big league career started on time. The Angels are sure to be cautious with him at first and start him where he can get some warm-weather work on strict pitch counts. Extended spring training is even a possibility since Anaheim's two upper level clubs, Triple-A Vancouver and Double-A Erie, are both in cold climates. But with the Angels' needs for starting pitching in the big leagues, a healthy Ortiz is sure to be monitored very carefully as the summer unfolds.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #3 prospect in 2000
  Though Ortiz was diagnosed with a torn labrum in spring training, doctors decided he could pitch with it rather than require shoulder surgery. He opened the season in Anaheim’s rotation, was sent down in May and spent two months in Triple-A before rejoining the Angels for good. The highlight of his season came Aug. 8, when he beat his idol, Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez, with a two-hitter. Ortiz gets compared to Martinez because both are small Dominicans with lively arms. At his best, Ortiz can throw a fastball in the mid-90s and a slider in the mid-80s. The only guy with a better pure arm in the PCL was Tacoma's Ryan Anderson. Ortiz does lack Martinez's legendary command. He has been knocked around in the majors because he has surrendered too many walks. When he has fallen behind in the count, he has been vulnerable to home runs.
• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #9 prospect in 1999
  Because of his stature (6-foot, 180 pounds), and stuff, Ortiz is often compared to Red Sox righthander Pedro Martinez. "He reminds me a lot of Pedro Martinez, just his mannerisms on the mound, his confidence, the way he goes after hitters," said Edmonton manager Carney Lansford. "He's got an outstanding changeup to go with an outstanding fastball. "He keeps them off balance. He throws well in hitters' counts. He'll come back with that changeup, and they're out in front every time. That's having confidence in what you have." Ortiz missed most of 1998 with an arm injury but dominated the Double-A Eastern League (9-4, 2.82) before being promoted to Edmonton.
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #8 prospect in 1999
  After his 1998 season was ruined by a fractured right elbow, Ortiz spent the formative months of this season ruining other teams' chances before earning a promotion to Triple-A and eventually to the big leagues. "He went right after us, real aggressive," Brown said. "He's not a real big guy, but he has command of his pitches. He keeps the ball down in the zone. He was throwing as hard against us in the last inning as he was in the first inning." "He kind of reminds me of (Octavio) Dotel a little bit," said Brown, referring to the Mets prospect. "He touches an above-average fastball, but his main pitch right now is a slider."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #28 prospect in 2000
• Ranked Baseball America's #75 prospect in 1998

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Though Ortiz was diagnosed with a torn labrum in spring training, doctors decided he could pitch with it rather than require shoulder surgery. He opened the season in Anaheim’s rotation, was sent down in May and spent two months in Triple-A before rejoining the Angels for good. The highlight of his season came Aug. 8, when he beat his idol, Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez, with a two-hitter. Ortiz gets compared to Martinez because both are small Dominicans with lively arms. At his best, Ortiz can throw a fastball in the mid-90s and a slider in the mid-80s. The only guy with a better pure arm in the PCL was Tacoma's Ryan Anderson. Ortiz does lack Martinez's legendary command. He has been knocked around in the majors because he has surrendered too many walks. When he has fallen behind in the count, he has been vulnerable to home runs.