Title: Scouting the Shining Star: Cleveland Guardians' Luis Ortiz
With the start of spring training, Cleveland Guardians pitching coach Carl Willis has a packed agenda ahead. This offseason, the team made two intriguing additions to their pitching roster. The Guardians traded for right-handed pitchers Luis Ortiz from the Pittsburgh Pirates and Slade Cecconi from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both players show significant potential with room for improvement, making them perfect candidates for Willis' tutelage.
In the case of Ortiz, team control is a crucial factor in the Guardians' management philosophy. This 25-year-old Dominican Republic native was an international free agent signed by the Pirates in 2018. Being a bit older than many international signees, the Pirates offered Ortiz a $25,000 signing bonus. Standing at 6-5 and weighing 235 pounds, Ortiz is expected to possess the stamina required for a complete major league season.
Ortiz's professional journey began pitching for the Pirates' rookie-level Bristol team in 2019. The team was impressed with his rapid development and impressive 100 miles per hour fastball. Ortiz made his major league debut in 2022 at the age of 23. In parts of three seasons with the Pirates, Ortiz gained experience by shuttling between the minor and major league clubs.
Last season, Ortiz went 7-6 with a 3.32 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 15 starts, while also pitching two games in relief. He averaged 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings while walking only 2.8. His ability to neutralize hitters is one of his strengths, as evidenced by his impressive arsenal, which consists of a four-seam fastball, cutter, sinker, slider, and changeup.
The challenge for Ortiz lies in his command and control. Can he consistently land strike one, which is essential in baseball? Can he maintain control to stay one step ahead of hitters? Can he execute any of his pitches at any point in the count? Improving in these aspects is key to unlocking his true potential as a starting pitcher.
According to Fangraphs.com, Ortiz could potentially slot fourth in the Guardians' rotation. If he can overcome his command and control issues under the watchful eye of coach Carl Willis, from there, the sky is the limit for Ortiz's performance on the mound. His presence could mean the acquisition of a valuable starting pitcher for both the present and the future for the Cleveland Guardians.
Ortiz's journey in baseball is not just about his exceptional pitching skills, but also his potential to contribute financially to the team's success. His potential value, as seen by Fangraphs, could secure a prominent spot in the Guardians' rotation, making him a valuable asset in the business aspect of sports. As Willis works on improving Ortiz's command and control, the team's interest in maximizing his value in both performance and monetary terms becomes evident.
