Joey Ortiz Bio
Joseph Anthony Ortiz (born July 14, 1998) is an American professional baseball infielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball. Ortiz made his major league debut in 2023 with the Baltimore Orioles and established himself as a versatile infield option through the following seasons.
Early Life and Background
Ortiz attended Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, California, where he played varsity baseball and finished his senior season in 2016 with a .417 batting average and six triples. After going unselected in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, he enrolled at New Mexico State University and played college baseball for the New Mexico State Aggies.
At New Mexico State, Ortiz developed into a consistent offensive performer and multi-position infielder. As a freshman in 2017 he appeared in 55 games and hit .306; he followed with solid sophomore and junior seasons and drew attention for his hit tool and gap power during summer league play.
Path to Baseball
Ortiz built his prospect profile over three seasons at New Mexico State, culminating in a standout junior year in 2019 when he batted .422 with eight home runs, 84 RBIs, and 25 doubles, and was named one of five finalists for the Brooks Wallace Award. That performance propelled him into the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.
The Baltimore Orioles selected Ortiz in the fourth round with the 108th overall selection in the 2019 draft. He signed with the organization and began his professional career in the Orioles’ minor league system later that year.
Joey Ortiz Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Ortiz made his professional debut with the Aberdeen IronBirds in 2019, appearing in 56 games and batting .241 with one home run and 17 RBIs. The 2020 minor league season was cancelled, and Ortiz resumed play in 2021, splitting time between Aberdeen and the Bowie Baysox while coping with a shoulder injury that limited him to 35 total games that year.
He returned to full health and advanced through the Orioles system in 2022, beginning the year with Bowie before a late August promotion to Triple-A Norfolk. Across 137 combined games that season, Ortiz slashed .284/.349/.477 with 19 home runs, 85 RBIs, and 35 doubles, signaling his readiness for inclusion on the Major League radar.
Baltimore Orioles Breakthrough (2023)
The Orioles added Ortiz to their 40-man roster on November 15, 2022, to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He began the 2023 season in Triple-A Norfolk and was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on April 27, 2023. At the time of that promotion he had been hitting at a high clip in Triple-A.
Ortiz split time between the majors and Triple-A during his rookie campaign with Baltimore. He appeared in 15 games for the Orioles in 2023, batting .212 with eight RBIs, while sustaining productive numbers at Norfolk where he hit .321 with nine home runs and 58 RBIs across 88 games.
Milwaukee Brewers Era (2024–Present)
On February 1, 2024, Ortiz was traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the Milwaukee Brewers alongside DL Hall in exchange for right-handed pitcher Corbin Burnes. Ortiz made the Brewers’ Opening Day roster in 2024 and opened at second base before moving into a timeshare at third base.
After fellow rookie Oliver Dunn was optioned on May 15, 2024, Ortiz took on an everyday role and was named National League Rookie of the Month for May 2024. Over the 2024 season he played in 142 games and finished with a .239 batting average, 11 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 25 doubles, establishing himself as a regular major leaguer and a versatile option across the infield.
Ortiz shifted to the Brewers’ primary shortstop role in 2025 following roster changes, appearing in 149 games and hitting .230 with seven home runs, 45 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. His steady defensive work and ability to play multiple infield positions provided the Brewers with roster flexibility.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ortiz is best known for his defensive versatility, having seen regular time at second base, third base, and shortstop in the major leagues. Offensively, he profiles as a contact-oriented hitter with gap power, demonstrated by his doubles and run-production totals in Triple-A and the majors. His adaptability has made him a valuable everyday option and a useful piece in infield alignments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Ortiz’s career include his fourth-round selection in the 2019 draft, his major league debut with the Baltimore Orioles in April 2023, the February 2024 trade that sent him to the Milwaukee Brewers in the Corbin Burnes deal, his National League Rookie of the Month honor in May 2024, and his role as the Brewers’ starting shortstop in 2025. He was also selected to play for the Mexico national baseball team at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Joey Ortiz Career Wins
Ortiz’s professional record is best measured in offensive production and developmental milestones rather than wins. Through July 1, 2026, his cumulative major league statistics included 20 home runs, 128 runs batted in, and a .229 batting average, reflecting his growth into a regular major-league contributor over parts of multiple seasons.
Major League Highlights
Ortiz’s first sustained major league opportunity came after the trade to Milwaukee; he reached double-digit home run totals in the 2024 season and posted career-high games played in 2024 and 2025 as he settled into everyday roles. His May 2024 National League Rookie of the Month award stands out as an individual accolade early in his MLB tenure.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Before reaching the majors, Ortiz recorded a breakout 2019 junior season with New Mexico State and produced a strong 2022 professional season across Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, hitting .284 with 19 home runs and 85 RBIs. Those performances were central to his advancement to the big leagues.
Joey Ortiz Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Public records provided in source materials do not document Ortiz’s parents or extended family in detail. His development through high school and collegiate baseball formed the core of his early baseball pedigree.
Personal Life
Ortiz married Iliana in January 2025. That detail is part of the public record provided in available biographical sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season saw Ortiz move into a full-time shortstop role for the Milwaukee Brewers after Willy Adames departed the club. Ortiz appeared in 149 games, compiled a .230 batting average with seven home runs, 45 RBIs, and added 14 stolen bases, demonstrating durability and versatility during a full major league season.
That year emphasized Ortiz’s defensive reliability and base-running value while he continued to work on his offensive consistency. As a regular starter, Ortiz provided the Brewers with steady infield defense and contributed situational offense throughout the season.