As the son of Red Sox legend David Ortiz, DeAngelo Ortiz would have been a big prospect no matter where he was drafted, but being selected by Boston added an entirely different layer.
DeAngelo Ortiz, 20, was selected in the 19th round of the 2024 MLB Draft, which ended on Tuesday, and will likely begin his professional baseball career with the same organization his father played for from 2003-2016.
Ortiz, a third baseman and outfielder, played his freshman season at Miami Dade College, hitting one home run and 38 RBIs in 48 games.
During that span, Ortiz batted .328 with a .431 on-base percentage and a .374 slugging percentage for the Sharks.
He played two seasons with the Brockton Rocks of the Futures College Baseball League, a New England-based summer league, batting .325/.426/.350.
Ortiz called his father during a production meeting at Fox to tell him the news.
“It’s unbelievable,” David Ortiz said on Fox’s pre-All-Star Game show. “It’s an amazing feeling to see these kids progress towards success in life. [a] “Success brings up so many emotions. Good luck, big brother. Keep up the good work. Daddy is proud of you.”
The FCBL also included the descendants of former major leaguers, such as Manny Ramirez Jr., Pedro Martinez Jr. and Jayden Sheffield (son of Gary Sheffield).
David Ortiz began his career in Minnesota and was a Hall of Famer, but is best known for his 14 years in Boston, where he helped the Red Sox win three World Series championships, including the title that ended the franchise’s 86-year winless streak in 2004.
The slugger was a World Series MVP, a seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner and a 10-time MLB All-Star Game selection.
He finished his career with 541 home runs and 1,768 RBIs and became a beloved figure on and off the field in Boston.
The longtime designated hitter will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022, and DeAngelo wrote a eulogy for his father. Published by NESN that year.
“Thank you for taking me on your journey, teaching me important lessons that I will apply to my career, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. I am so proud of all that you have accomplished and how you have done it,” he wrote in an open letter.
Manny Ramirez’s son, Lucas, was also drafted on Tuesday, selected 502nd overall in the 17th round by the Angels.
