Rafael Ortega

32-Year-Old OutfielderOF

Texas Rangers AAA

2023 Stats

AVG

.000

RBI

Rest-of-Season Projections

AVG

RBI

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2023 Fantasy Outlook

If every pitcher in the majors was right-handed, Ortega would be a pretty enticing fantasy asset. Unfortunately, there are plenty of southpaws around, and Ortega hasn't had a ton of success against them. Since 2020, his OPS against righties is .790, but his OPS against lefties is just .452. Not surprisingly, the Cubs limited Ortega's exposure against lefties during his time with the club. Last year, the outfielder appeared in 118 games and recorded 316 at-bats. His .241/.331/.358 slash line was ultimately disappointing, as it was down across the board from a promising 2021. Ortega also tallied seven home runs and, for the second straight season, stole 12 bases. The Cubs decided not to tender Ortega a contract after the season, and he joined the Yankees as a non-roster invitee. New York's depth in center field isn't great behind Harrison Bader, but Ortega is still likely an injury away from seeing a roster spot, let alone regular playing time. Read Past Outlooks

RANKSFrom Preseason

#601

ADP

League AAA

Bats L

Throws R

40 Man No

Height 5'11"

Weight 160

DOB 5/15/1991

Drafted 2008

Joins Rangers

OFTexas Rangers AAA

March 30, 2023

Ortega signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers on Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

ANALYSIS
Ortega was released from his contract with the Yankees after failing to make the big-league team this spring. He'll now have the chance to earn a more substantial role with Texas, which has a need in center field so long as Leody Taveras (oblique) is sidelined.

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Batting Stats

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2021

2019

2018

2022 MLB Game Log

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2021 MLB Game Log

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2019 MLB Game Log

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2018 MLB Game Log

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Minor League Game Log

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Left/Right Batting Splits

Since 2021

+75%

OPS vs RHP

2023

No Stats

2022

+32%

OPS vs RHP

2021

+114%

OPS vs RHP

	OPS	PA	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG
Since 2021vs Left	.452	81	9	0	0	2	.152	.300	.152
Since 2021vs Right	.790	619	70	18	68	22	.278	.350	.440
2023vs Left	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2023vs Right	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2022vs Left	.529	22	6	0	0	2	.211	.318	.211
2022vs Right	.698	348	29	7	35	10	.242	.331	.367
2021vs Left	.421	59	3	0	0	0	.128	.293	.128
2021vs Right	.900	271	41	11	33	12	.321	.374	.526
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Home/Away Batting Splits

Since 2021

+15%

OPS on Road

2023

No Stats

2022

+11%

OPS on Road

2021

+20%

OPS on Road

	OPS	PA	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG
Since 2021Home	.699	356	37	7	27	11	.245	.333	.366
Since 2021Away	.807	344	42	11	41	13	.284	.356	.451
2023Home	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2023Away	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2022Home	.654	191	20	3	15	6	.215	.325	.329
2022Away	.723	179	15	4	20	6	.266	.337	.386
2021Home	.749	165	17	4	12	5	.277	.344	.405
2021Away	.896	165	27	7	21	7	.304	.376	.520
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Advanced Batting Stats

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Additional Stats

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Defensive Stats

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Batted Ball Stats

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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers

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Past Fantasy Outlooks

2022

2020

2018

2017

2013

2012

2011

Ortega earned his most consistent run in the majors in 2021, racking up a career-high 330 plate appearances. The vast majority of that playing time came in the second half of the season after the Cubs dismantled their core and were attempting to extract value from players within their organization. Ortega provided just that by posting a .306/.378/.491 line with a .185 ISO - good for a 133 wRC+. While it was an impressive display, Ortega will be entering his age-31 season and has just a .255/.318/.363 career line across 777 plate appearances. Given the combination of age and skill, Ortega is exceedingly unlikely to be a building block in the Cubs' organization moving forward. That leaves his role in 2022 uncertain, and that uncertainty is only likely to grow as the season progresses thanks to the offseason additions of Harold Ramirez and Clint Frazier as well as the impending call-up of top prospect Brennen Davis.

Ortega found his way onto the Braves' playoff roster, though that was more due to a lack of alternatives than his own particular talents. The 28-year-old played 34 games for the Braves late in the year but did very little at the plate, hitting .205/.271/.307, good for a 51 wRC+. He now owns a 59 wRC+ (.229/.287/.290) in 143 games over parts of four seasons in the majors. His 17 steals over that stretch are a respectable amount, hinting at a bit of deep-league fantasy value should he find his way into a larger role, but that seems unlikely after he settled for a minor-league deal to return to Atlanta. His ability to cover all three outfield positions could earn him a roster spot at some point, but his bat is a poor fit as even a fifth outfielder. Even owners in deep leagues need not show much interest unless he works his way into a temporary starting role.

After a year with the Padres, Ortega join the Marlins on a minor-league deal this offseason -- the 26-year-old's fifth different organization. He turned in a great campaign with Triple-A El Paso in 2017, hitting .317 with six homers, 26 stolen bases (33 attempts) and a 46:49 BB:K. Ortega enjoyed a similar amount of success at that level in 2016, but that did not translate in his first extended opportunity in the majors. While he continued to put bat to ball with consistency in his 66-game stint with the Angels, his walk rate fell to just 6.4 percent and the power was virtually non-existent. Indeed his career numbers at Triple-A may be mostly a byproduct of the Pacific Coast League, but with Miami's outfield stripped down, Ortega should get another chance to prove himself against top-level competition.

Prior to the 2016 season, Ortega had logged a mere four at-bats at the major league level. Thanks to a myriad of injuries to the Angels outfield, the journeyman got his first shot at consistent big league playing time. The results were middling at best, as he only managed to produce a .232/.283/.292 slash line in 185 at-bats. That being said, his BABIP was a lowly .261, meaning that his meager batting line could've been affected by bad luck. The 25-year-old could be in line for better numbers if some extra hits fall while he maintains his strong 88 percent contact rate. That being said, Ortega's inability to hit for power and his weak 6.5 percent walk rate limits his upside as a big league player. He'll provide organizational depth for the Padres to begin 2017 after signing a minor league deal in December.

Ortega showed some improvement at High-A Modesto in his age-21 season, increasing his walk rate (8.3 percent) while cutting his strikeout rate (16.7 percent) without sacrificing much of his marginal power. He even earned a brief cup of coffee in the last two games of the season with the Rockies devoid of healthy outfielders. Though speedy, Ortega's 66.7 percent success rate on the basepaths does not portend well for his major league success, but it should not immediately prove problematic as he advances to the upper minors. Fortunately for Ortega, he has youth and solid contact skills on his side, which should grant him the opportunity to iron out the deficiencies in his game.

Ortega adapted well to full season ball with Low-A Asheville after turning 20 in May. Although his instincts on the basepaths still need refinement, 32 stolen bases along with eight triples serve as an indication of his plus-speed. While his walk rate (5.4 percent) was low, he makes contact regularly (82.7 percent) and should be able to get on base enough to utilize his speed. Ortega is listed at 5-foot-11, 160 pounds, so he may not add a ton of pop as he continues to develop into that frame. Look for him to advance to the hitter-friendly California League, where improved power numbers would hardly surprise and likely vault him up prospect lists.

At 19 years old, Ortega spent 2010 tearing up the Pioneer League in his first North American baseball action. The Venezuelan hit .358/.416/.510 for Casper with 23 steals in 288 at-bats. While somewhat short on power, he has plus speed and a quick bat and profiles as someone who can play center field. It's not crazy to think that in a few years he could be the top prospect in the Rockies system. For now, consider him someone to keep tabs on as he progresses through his minor league development.

More Fantasy News

Granted release by Yankees

OFFree Agent AAA

March 28, 2023

Ortega was released by the Yankees on Tuesday, Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors reports.

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Good shot to win roster spot

OFNew York Yankees AAA

March 10, 2023

Ortega has a good shot to win an Opening Day roster spot with the Yankees following the injury to Harrison Bader (oblique), Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

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Catches on with Yankees

OFNew York Yankees AAA

January 3, 2023

Ortega signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Tuesday, Empire Sports Media reports.

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Becomes free agent

OFFree Agent AAA

November 18, 2022

The Cubs declined to tender Ortega a contract for 2023, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

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Lands on 60-day IL

OFChicago Cubs AAA

Finger

September 14, 2022

Ortega (finger) was placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

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