Luis Ortiz Looks to Have Found Home In Pirates’ Bullpen
p/c: Christopher Horner - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
After signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018, as a 19-year-old out of San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic, Luis Ortiz quietly emerged as a steady, pitching prospect. To the point that in 2022, Baseball America mentioned Ortiz as a sleeper prospect, within the Pirates’ system.
It was September of 2022 that Ortiz would arrive to Pittsburgh. He made four starts with the Bucs, posting an ERA of 4.50, along with a 3.67 FIP.
Ortiz would rejoin the Pirates on May 9th of last year, this after having a 2.23 ERA, while pitching for the Indianapolis Indians.
The extensive stint with Pittsburgh in 2023 was more of a struggle, as he had a 4.78 ERA and a high 1.70 WHIP.
Going into big league camp this year, the Pirates had a competition, for two open spots in the starting rotation. Ortiz would be among the candidates. Despite a good, spring performance, he lost out to Jared Jones and Bailey Falter. However, Ortiz received a nice, consolation prize, as he was named to the team’s Opening Day roster as a long reliever.
For a Pirates’ bullpen that’s been up & down - by and large this season - Ortiz has been a real pleasant surprise. In 19 games to this point, he’s registered an ERA of 2.61, which is currently second best among Bucco relievers. Only Colin Holderman has a lower ERA at 0.83. Ortiz’s FIP is 3.49, while the WHIP is a healthy, 1.13.
This season has seen Ortiz expand his arsenal more.
Here are the figures on what opponents are doing to each of his offerings:
Sinker: .192 average, .269 slugging
Four-seamer: .174 average, .217 slugging
Slider: .186 average, .302 slugging
Cutter: .235 average, .294 slugging
Changeup: .000 average, .000 slugging
What’s interesting is that Ortiz hasn’t been much of a strikeout pitcher in 2024 (7.1 K/9), but yet opposing batters are having a difficult time making any sort of relevant contact on any of his pitches. The key to that has been solid, extension, with his release point.
Ortiz’s walk numbers are something to keep an eye on, as free passes are being issued at 4.0 per 9. If he’s able to increase his strikeout rate, then perhaps that’ll help prevent possible regression.
Nonetheless, Ortiz is providing a real shot in the arm, for a Pirates’ bullpen looking for as much stability as they can.