A name almost unmentioned in the 2024 draft is now becoming a source of pride for the St. Louis Cardinals’ training system. Deniel Ortiz – a player selected in the Round of 16 – has just been ranked #18 prospect by the Cardinals, a position that sparks debate as many believe his talent could be even greater.

For Cardinals fans, the name Ortiz may still be unfamiliar. But for those following the team’s farm system, his story is quickly becoming one of the most noteworthy development journeys of the year.

Daniel Ortiz was selected by the Cardinals in the Round of 16 of the 2024 MLB Draft, a position most teams expect to fill for backup or long-term projects. Few would have predicted that after just one professional season, he would begin appearing on the organization’s list of notable prospects.

Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Lynn, Massachusetts, Ortiz caught attention during his college years at Walters State Community College, where he hit .387 with 34 home runs and 116 RBIs in his college career – a record that piqued many scouts’ curiosity but wasn’t enough to make him an early draft pick.

The Cardinals saw what many other teams overlooked: a batter with natural power, good plate discipline, and the potential to develop power. They took a gamble – and it seems that gamble is paying off.

If there was one moment that truly brought Ortiz into the spotlight, it was the 2025 Minor League season.

In his first year as a professional, he achieved:

.300 AVG

.416 OBP

.462 SLG

.878 OPS

13 home runs

39 stolen bases

152 wRC+

These numbers were recorded after 450 plate appearances between Low-A and High-A, and they forced analysts to reconsider the young player’s true potential.

Even in the latter part of the season, after being promoted to High-A, Ortiz performed even better, showing that he not only dominated lower-level pitchers but also adapted quickly to bigger challenges.

For a player who had been selected in the Round of 16, that was an incredible leap forward.

Professionally, Ortiz is often described as a “bat-first prospect”—meaning his primary value lies in his offensive ability.

He plays primarily at first or third base, two positions that demand high offensive production. This also means the pressure on Ortiz is immense:

To become a true MLB player, he needs to maintain a significantly above-average batting ability, even aiming for around 120 wRC+ or higher in the future.

Some of Ortiz’s strengths include:

Natural Power
His batted-ball statistics show he has strong exit velocity and an ideal batting angle, which helps generate many long-range shots.

Good Plate Discipline
A walk rate of nearly 15% indicates Ortiz is not a hitter with a erratic swing.

Intelligence on the basepath
Despite his relatively large physique (around 6’1″ and over 100 kg), he still managed 39 steals, a number that surprised many.

However, some concerns remain:

High strikeout rate

Limited defensive capabilities in the infield corner

Needs improvement in breaking ball recognition

These factors will determine whether Ortiz is just a minor league phenomenon or can truly go far.

Interestingly, Ortiz isn’t the only prospect attracting attention in the Cardinals’ system. Names like Jesus Baez, Chase Davis, and Yhoiker Fajardo are also competing for a spot in the team’s young talent rankings.

This competition makes Ortiz’s #18 position even more noteworthy. Some analysts believe that if he continues his production as he did in 2025, breaking into the Cardinals’ Top 10 prospects in the next few years is entirely possible.

Historically, late-round draft picks rarely become stars. But occasionally, a fairy tale unfolds – and Deniel Ortiz may be writing that story.

The Cardinals have long been known for their ability to discover and develop underrated talent. If Ortiz continues to progress, he could become the latest example of that tradition.

Currently, Ortiz still has a long way to go before reaching MLB. But with what he’s shown after just one season, one thing is clear:

The Cardinals may have found a gem… in an unexpected place.

And if Deniel Ortiz’s journey continues on the right track, the 2024 MLB Draft’s Round of 16 could be remembered as one of St. Louis’ biggest steals in years.