A big C/1B from Oregon State, 6′3 Ryan Ortiz was Oakland’s 6th round pick.  He hit .352 this season for the Pac-10 club, Oakland’s second selection from that Conference, where he legged out 17 doubles and hit 5 Homers.  Just two errors make his fielding look good, and he struck out only 34 times in 216 at-bats.

He was also a graduate of the Cape Cod League last year, where he played for Yartmouth.  Technically this was just his second year at Oregon State, as he spent the first year as a reserve, hitting only four times.  

Another California pick, Ortiz was on the NCAA World Series winning Beavers in 07, and was All-Pac 10 Team last year.  He threw out 17 of the 36 runners who stole on him, and had just 7 passed balls.

After receiving the All-Pac 10 Team honor again this year, just two weeks ago, his club ended their season against Texas Christian, on the road, getting swept in the Fort Worth Regional.

Ortiz to me looks like he has pop in his bat, but as a Catcher can hit for average as well.  The 17 doubles stand out, and two errors are already a step up on last year’s C’s catchers  who committed error, after error. 

He knows how to win, what it takes, and in my opinion, can get there and be a winner with Oakland.

He’s the second catcher they’ve taken this draft, but seeing as how Stassi may or may not sign, I’d peg Ortiz as a guy Oakland knows they need to sign, and as a fan of the organization, Ortiz is a must-sign, because I’d love to see his brand of Baseball for years to come.