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Philadelphia Phillies Top 10 Prospects for 2017

By Benjamin Chase

Mar 19, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies hat and bat lays at home plate against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies hat and bat lays at home plate against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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4. Jhailyn Ortiz, OF

Birthdate: 11/18/98 (18 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: rookie
Stats in 2016: .231/.325/.434, 8 HR, 8 SB

Ortiz is listed at 6’3″ and 215 pounds. That’s likely about an inch or two short and about 30-45 pounds short of his actual size. After just being signed in 2015, he made his pro debut in 2016 in GCL, and he showed impressive athleticism at his size.

The raw tools are pretty skewed toward power for Ortiz, and that was the reason the Phillies gave him $4M to sign and even traded away prospects in order to get the room in their free agent budget to bring him in without penalty.

(Ortiz) made his pro debut in 2016 in GCL, and he showed impressive athleticism at his size

We won’t get to see Ortiz for a while, and the physical body is likely already where it will be (hopefully!!). However, Ortiz has shown more already from his time in the GCL than anyone expected from him athletically.

Ortiz is not a guy who will ever win a Gold Glove in right field, but he has the instincts to make all the plays needed with a very good arm in right field.

He does have been strikeout tendencies at the plate to work on and he can fall in love with his pull power, Ortiz has a more advanced approach than many believed when he was signed. Add in the surprising instincts he showed on the bases, and he could be quite a valuable offensive piece.

Of course, if the National League added the designated hitter, or Ortiz was used in a deal to an American League club, his size won’t matter, but for now, it is something he’ll have to consistently be working on to stay in the kind of shape that can keep up all of the high praise he received this year.

He’ll still be in partial-season leagues this year, but if he continues with the impressive play he had, Ortiz could end up finishing in full-season ball.

Next: #3

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