Jhailyn Ortiz Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2181
AVG	.226
OBP	.31
SLG	.408
HR	96

Full name Jhailyn David Ortiz
Born 11/18/1998 in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Ortiz was a big-money signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2015, but he struggled through his first four minor league seasons before having a breakout campaign in 2021 split between High-A Jersey Shore and Double-A Reading. He crushed 23 home runs and cut down on his strikeout rate, but regressed in 2022 back at Reading, posting a career-worst 32.7% strikeout rate while struggling to access his plus-plus raw power.

Scouting Report: Ortiz stood out to members of the organization coming into the 2022 season thanks to a refocused approach that included a healthier diet, and he showed up to spring training in better shape and with a shorter swing to help him catch up to mid-90s velocity. Those gains didn't translate to the 2022 season, as Ortiz continued to struggle to make contact. He had trouble figuring out pitches to swing at, and had a high swing-and-miss rate while chasing a high amount of sliders out of the zone. Ortiz has plus bat speed and plus-plus raw power, but his inability to make consistent contact makes it more of an above-average tool in games. He posted an impressive 106.3 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, and over 39% of his balls in play were hit 95 mph or harder, but he managed just 17 home runs due to his contact issues. Ortiz struggled with his timing and starting his stride earlier in his swing, and those will be areas of emphasis in 2023. He's a solid athlete for his size, but is a below-average runner and defender in right field who could end up at first base. He has a plus arm.

The Future: Time is running out for Ortiz to make the necessary adjustments to unlock more of his power in games and prove himself as more than an emergency up/down player. He'll likely head to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 30. Power: 55. Running: 40. Fielding: 40. Arm: 60.
Track Record: Signed for $4 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2015, Ortiz had yet to live up to that contract going into last season, with a .227 average over 1,167 at-bats across his first four seasons. He broke out in a big way in 2021 at High-A Jersey Shore, crushing 19 home runs and slashing .262/.358/.521 to earn a promotion to Double-A.

Scouting Report: Ortiz came into the season in the best shape of his life, with a more healthy diet and a focused, diligent approach that stood out to coaches. He cut down on the length in his swing, which helped him catch up to mid-90s fastballs, and showed an improved ability to see pitches and perform against spin. Ortiz’s bat speed and improved pitch selection allowed him to more easily tap into his light-tower power, which led to a career-high 23 homers between High-A and Double-A. Ortiz is athletic for his size, with the ability to play center field currently, although he fits best in a corner, with the plus arm strength to fit in right field. Ortiz needs to continue cutting down on his swing and miss, keep his swing shorter, improve his bat-to-ball skills and stay on top of his weight, but this season was a big step in the right direction.

The Future: Ortiz would have been Rule 5 draft eligible this winter, but the Phillies put him on the 40-man roster. He stayed in shape by playing in the winter Dominican League and should start the 2022 season at Double-A.
TRACK RECORD: Signed out of the Dominican Republic for $4 million, Ortiz has shown light-tower power but struggled to make contact at every level. He's hit .227 in 1,167 minor league at-bats, capped by a .200 average at high Class A Clearwater in 2019. His only 2020 action came during instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Ortiz takes huge swings to try and access his 70-grade power, but he does not have good timing and is far too rotational with his swing. He struggles adjusting to offspeed pitches and upperend velocity and chases far too often. The Phillies have emphasized working on pitch-recognition skills as well as hitting the ball the other way. Even if he can make those improvements, it's hard to imagine him making enough contact to be a major leaguer. Ortiz is a below-average defender in right field and may be destined for first base. He is a below-average runner who will need to watch his conditioning after arriving at instructs weighing 264 pounds.

THE FUTURE: Ortiz does not currently project as a major leaguer in any capacity. His power may buy him time to figure things out.
TRACK RECORD: The Phillies made a $4 million bet on Ortiz, believing he could make the adjustments to his swing and timing to unlock his best-in-class power. Instead, he has yet to advance past the Class A levels in five years while strugging to make contact.

SCOUTING REPORT: When Ortiz connects, he not only clears fences but leaves balls bouncing out of stadiums. He takes big, massive swings with a big load to get to his plus-plus power. He is rarely on time with his big swings and is quite pitchable thanks to his inability to adjust to off-speed pitches. Ortiz has always moved well for his size and the Phillies have even let him play center field, but scouts see a below-average corner outfielder or first baseman He's a below-average runner, but he does have a plus arm.

THE FUTURE: Ortiz's top-of-the-scale raw power will earn him plenty of chances to improve his selectivity and swing. The Phillies left him unprotected and he went unpicked in the Rule 5 draft.
Track Record: The Phillies made a big bet on Ortiz in 2015, signing the 16-year-old outfielder for $4.01 million, a franchise record for an international amateur signing. Ortiz had big power and a shaky hit tool, but he was trending up after the 2017 season when he mashed in short-season Williamsport. But in his full-season debut with low Class A Lakewood in 2019, Ortiz fell flat, dinging his stock significantly.

Scouting Report: Ortiz's best tool is his raw power. He's a strong, enormous teenager with plus-plus power that shows up in BP or when he gets a fastball that crosses through his swing path. Ortiz has the upside to hit 30-plus home runs in a season, but he has a long way to go as a hitter. He struggled to recognize breaking pitches last season, often looking lost with his timing and balance, leading to an alarming 33 percent strikeout rate. Ortiz looks like a first baseman and he might end up there. He's a well below-average runner with limited range, although his arm is a plus tool.

The Future: Ortiz's 2018 season raised a lot of red flags, but he will still just be 20 next season.
When Ortiz signed with the Phillies for $4.01 million, he had humongous raw power, but his huge frame and struggles against live pitching concerned other clubs. He still is a big-bodied power hitter, but his improved feel for hitting helped him excel in 2017 as one of the youngest players in the short-season New York-Penn League. Ortiz's calling card is his raw power, a 70 on the 20-80 scale. He has the bat speed and strength to launch balls deep out of the park to the pull side, but he uses the opposite field well to drive the ball out the other way with ease. Ortiz still gets his weight out too early on his front side at times and his power will always come with a high strikeout rate, but he made major strides with his approach in 2017. He can hammer fastballs, but he also did a better job recognizing offspeed pitches and staying within the strike zone. Ortiz is built like a first baseman and there is risk he will move there, but moves surprisingly well for his size. His plus arm fits well in right field. Ortiz is a potential 30-home run slugger who could become a middle-of-the-order hitter. Low Class A Lakewood is his next stop in 2018.
When the Phillies signed Ortiz as a 16-year-old for $4.01 million, a franchise record for an international signing, they were drawn to the player with the biggest raw power in the 2015 signing class. Other clubs considered the signing a reach, given the concerns about Ortiz's ability to hit live pitching and huge frame. While those risk factors are still valid, Ortiz showed his power translated to games in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he ranked third in home runs. Ortiz's combination of bat speed and strength allows him to put on a show in batting practice. He can punish a fastball with power to all fields and has the potential to hit 25-30 home runs, but the key will be whether he can improve his pitch recognition and hitting ability. Ortiz doesn't have a long swing, but he lacks natural rhythm and balance and doesn't stay on breaking pitches well, which throws off his timing and makes him susceptible to chasing. He has been better than expected defensively in right field with improving routes and reads and a plus arm. Short-season Williamsport or low Class A Lakewood should be his next stop.
The Phillies spent big for Ortiz, signing the mammoth Dominican slugger for $4 million in July 2015. His calling card is obvious: light-tower power, with most scouts agreeing that he had more power than any international amateur in his signing class. Ortiz put his power on display at international showcases during his amateur days, including one in Cary, N.C., that coincided with the National High School Invitational. He doesn't just impress in batting practice, either. Ortiz garnered plenty of attention when he homered off of former big league reliever Fautino de los Santos the summer before he signed. The Phillies are trying Ortiz in the outfield for now, but his jumbo frame and slow-footed gait make most evaluators believe he'll wind up at first base sooner rather than later. He can crush a fastball, but he has trouble recognizing breaking pitches and will chase them out of the zone. If Ortiz can adjust and tap into his premium power, he has the potential to hit 25 or more home runs annually. He will begin his pro career in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2016. Did not play--Signed 2016 contract

Minor League Top Prospects

At first glance, Ortiz would appear to be a young base clogger with big power and little else. In reality, the massive Ortiz is surprisingly nimble for his size. And while he does have some of the best power in the league (he led the league with a .258 isolated power), he also showed a discerning eye. Right now, while he can be beaten by a pitcher who nibbles and throws a good breaking ball, he's also proven he can turn on most any fastball, and he also can punish a hanging curve. Most of the power hitters in the NYP rely on pull power, but Ortiz is big enough and strong enough to drive the ball to all fields, showing the ability to clear the right field fence as easily as left field. He's a right fielder with a plus arm who's mobile enough to stick in an outfield corner.
Ortiz had the biggest raw power in the 2015 international signing class, which compelled the Phillies to sign him for $4.01 million, which paced all Dominican players last year. The price seemed like a stretch to a lot of clubs, who had concerns about the 240-pound Ortiz's ability to hit in games and where he would play. As a 17-year-old in the GCL this year he ranked third in the league in home runs (eight) and was hitting well early before tailing off in August as he got tired. Ortiz has 70 raw power on the 20-80 scouting scale, with impressive bat speed and present strength. He puts on a loud batting-practice display, and when he squares up a fastball he can take it over the fence from right-center field over to his pull side. He has the raw power to hit 25-30 home runs, but he has to improve his pitch recognition and pure hitting ability to get there. Ortiz can keep his hands inside the ball, but he has a pull-oriented approach and doesn't have natural rhythm and timing in the box. When pitchers started throwing him more breaking pitches in the last month of the season, he got caught off balance and expanded the strike zone. When Ortiz signed, defense was an adventure for him, but he has made significant progress with his reads and routes. His plus arm also plays in right field. A below-average runner, he is already so big that many project him to first base, but for now he handles himself surprisingly well in right field.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020
Rated Best Power Hitter in the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Ortiz was a big-money signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2015, but he struggled through his first four minor league seasons before having a breakout campaign in 2021 split between High-A Jersey Shore and Double-A Reading. He crushed 23 home runs and cut down on his strikeout rate, but regressed in 2022 back at Reading, posting a career-worst 32.7% strikeout rate while struggling to access his plus-plus raw power.

Scouting Report: Ortiz stood out to members of the organization coming into the 2022 season thanks to a refocused approach that included a healthier diet, and he showed up to spring training in better shape and with a shorter swing to help him catch up to mid-90s velocity. Those gains didn't translate to the 2022 season, as Ortiz continued to struggle to make contact. He had trouble figuring out pitches to swing at, and had a high swing-and-miss rate while chasing a high amount of sliders out of the zone. Ortiz has plus bat speed and plus-plus raw power, but his inability to make consistent contact makes it more of an above-average tool in games. He posted an impressive 106.3 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, and over 39% of his balls in play were hit 95 mph or harder, but he managed just 17 home runs due to his contact issues. Ortiz struggled with his timing and starting his stride earlier in his swing, and those will be areas of emphasis in 2023. He's a solid athlete for his size, but is a below-average runner and defender in right field who could end up at first base. He has a plus arm.

The Future: Time is running out for Ortiz to make the necessary adjustments to unlock more of his power in games and prove himself as more than an emergency up/down player. He'll likely head to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 30. Power: 55. Running: 40. Fielding: 40. Arm: 60.
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: Ortiz was a big-money signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2015, but he struggled through his first four minor league seasons before having a breakout campaign in 2021 split between High-A Jersey Shore and Double-A Reading. He crushed 23 home runs and cut down on his strikeout rate, but regressed in 2022 back at Reading, posting a career-worst 32.7% strikeout rate while struggling to access his plus-plus raw power.

Scouting Report: Ortiz stood out to members of the organization coming into the 2022 season thanks to a refocused approach that included a healthier diet, and he showed up to spring training in better shape and with a shorter swing to help him catch up to mid-90s velocity. Those gains didn't translate to the 2022 season, as Ortiz continued to struggle to make contact. He had trouble figuring out pitches to swing at, and had a high swing-and-miss rate while chasing a high amount of sliders out of the zone. Ortiz has plus bat speed and plus-plus raw power, but his inability to make consistent contact makes it more of an above-average tool in games. He posted an impressive 106.3 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, and over 39% of his balls in play were hit 95 mph or harder, but he managed just 17 home runs due to his contact issues. Ortiz struggled with his timing and starting his stride earlier in his swing, and those will be areas of emphasis in 2023. He's a solid athlete for his size, but is a below-average runner and defender in right field who could end up at first base. He has a plus arm.

The Future: Time is running out for Ortiz to make the necessary adjustments to unlock more of his power in games and prove himself as more than an emergency up/down player. He'll likely head to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 30. Power: 55. Running: 40. Fielding: 40. Arm: 60.
BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Signed for $4 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2015, Ortiz had yet to live up to that contract going into last season, with a .227 average over 1,167 at-bats across his first four seasons. He broke out in a big way in 2021 at High-A Jersey Shore, crushing 19 home runs and slashing .262/.358/.521 to earn a promotion to Double-A.

Scouting Report: Ortiz came into the season in the best shape of his life, with a more healthy diet and a focused, diligent approach that stood out to coaches. He cut down on the length in his swing, which helped him catch up to mid-90s fastballs, and showed an improved ability to see pitches and perform against spin. Ortiz&#39s bat speed and improved pitch selection allowed him to more easily tap into his light-tower power, which led to a career-high 23 homers between High-A and Double-A. Ortiz is athletic for his size, with the ability to play center field currently, although he fits best in a corner, with the plus arm strength to fit in right field. Ortiz needs to continue cutting down on his swing and miss, keep his swing shorter, improve his bat-to-ball skills and stay on top of his weight, but this season was a big step in the right direction.

The Future: Ortiz would have been Rule 5 draft eligible this winter, but the Phillies put him on the 40-man roster. He stayed in shape by playing in the winter Dominican League and should start the 2022 season at Double-A.
Track Record: Signed for $4 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2015, Ortiz had yet to live up to that contract going into last season, with a .227 average over 1,167 at-bats across his first four seasons. He broke out in a big way in 2021 at High-A Jersey Shore, crushing 19 home runs and slashing .262/.358/.521 to earn a promotion to Double-A.

Scouting Report: Ortiz came into the season in the best shape of his life, with a more healthy diet and a focused, diligent approach that stood out to coaches. He cut down on the length in his swing, which helped him catch up to mid-90s fastballs, and showed an improved ability to see pitches and perform against spin. Ortiz’s bat speed and improved pitch selection allowed him to more easily tap into his light-tower power, which led to a career-high 23 homers between High-A and Double-A. Ortiz is athletic for his size, with the ability to play center field currently, although he fits best in a corner, with the plus arm strength to fit in right field. Ortiz needs to continue cutting down on his swing and miss, keep his swing shorter, improve his bat-to-ball skills and stay on top of his weight, but this season was a big step in the right direction.

The Future: Ortiz would have been Rule 5 draft eligible this winter, but the Phillies put him on the 40-man roster. He stayed in shape by playing in the winter Dominican League and should start the 2022 season at Double-A.
TRACK RECORD: Signed out of the Dominican Republic for $4 million, Ortiz has shown light-tower power but struggled to make contact at every level. He's hit .227 in 1,167 minor league at-bats, capped by a .200 average at high Class A Clearwater in 2019. His only 2020 action came during instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Ortiz takes huge swings to try and access his 70-grade power, but he does not have good timing and is far too rotational with his swing. He struggles adjusting to offspeed pitches and upperend velocity and chases far too often. The Phillies have emphasized working on pitch-recognition skills as well as hitting the ball the other way. Even if he can make those improvements, it's hard to imagine him making enough contact to be a major leaguer. Ortiz is a below-average defender in right field and may be destined for first base. He is a below-average runner who will need to watch his conditioning after arriving at instructs weighing 264 pounds.

THE FUTURE: Ortiz does not currently project as a major leaguer in any capacity. His power may buy him time to figure things out.
TRACK RECORD: Signed out of the Dominican Republic for $4 million, Ortiz has shown light-tower power but struggled to make contact at every level. He's hit .227 in 1,167 minor league at-bats, capped by a .200 average at high Class A Clearwater in 2019. His only 2020 action came during instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Ortiz takes huge swings to try and access his 70-grade power, but he does not have good timing and is far too rotational with his swing. He struggles adjusting to offspeed pitches and upperend velocity and chases far too often. The Phillies have emphasized working on pitch-recognition skills as well as hitting the ball the other way. Even if he can make those improvements, it's hard to imagine him making enough contact to be a major leaguer. Ortiz is a below-average defender in right field and may be destined for first base. He is a below-average runner who will need to watch his conditioning after arriving at instructs weighing 264 pounds.

THE FUTURE: Ortiz does not currently project as a major leaguer in any capacity. His power may buy him time to figure things out.
TRACK RECORD: Signed out of the Dominican Republic for $4 million, Ortiz has shown light-tower power but struggled to make contact at every level. He's hit .227 in 1,167 minor league at-bats, capped by a .200 average at high Class A Clearwater in 2019. His only 2020 action came during instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Ortiz takes huge swings to try and access his 70-grade power, but he does not have good timing and is far too rotational with his swing. He struggles adjusting to offspeed pitches and upperend velocity and chases far too often. The Phillies have emphasized working on pitch-recognition skills as well as hitting the ball the other way. Even if he can make those improvements, it's hard to imagine him making enough contact to be a major leaguer. Ortiz is a below-average defender in right field and may be destined for first base. He is a below-average runner who will need to watch his conditioning after arriving at instructs weighing 264 pounds.

THE FUTURE: Ortiz does not currently project as a major leaguer in any capacity. His power may buy him time to figure things out.
TRACK RECORD: The Phillies made a $4 million bet on Ortiz, believing he could make the adjustments to his swing and timing to unlock his best-in-class power. Instead, he has yet to advance past the Class A levels in five years while strugging to make contact.

SCOUTING REPORT: When Ortiz connects, he not only clears fences but leaves balls bouncing out of stadiums. He takes big, massive swings with a big load to get to his plus-plus power. He is rarely on time with his big swings and is quite pitchable thanks to his inability to adjust to off-speed pitches. Ortiz has always moved well for his size and the Phillies have even let him play center field, but scouts see a below-average corner outfielder or first baseman He's a below-average runner, but he does have a plus arm.

THE FUTURE: Ortiz's top-of-the-scale raw power will earn him plenty of chances to improve his selectivity and swing. The Phillies left him unprotected and he went unpicked in the Rule 5 draft.
Track Record: When Ortiz signed for $4.01 million, he had humongous raw power, but his huge frame and struggles against live pitching concerned other clubs. He still is a big-bodied power hitter, but his improved feel for hitting helped him excel in 2017 as one of the youngest players in the short-season New York-Penn League. Scouting Report: Ortiz's calling card is his raw power, a 70 on the 20-80 scale. He has the bat speed and strength to launch balls deep out of the park to the pull side, but he uses the opposite field well to drive the ball out the other way with ease. Ortiz still gets his weight out too early on his front side at times and his power will always come with a high strikeout rate, but he made major strides with his approach in 2017. He can hammer fastballs, but he also did a better job recognizing offspeed pitches. Ortiz is built like a first baseman, but moves surprisingly well for his size. His plus arm fits well in right field. The Future: Ortiz is a potential 30-homer bat who could become a middle-of-the-order bat. Low Class A Lakewood is his next stop.