On January 22, 2003, the Boston Red Sox signed a free agent who had been launched by the Minnesota Twins the earlier December. At the time, the signing didn’t precisely transfer the needle. Speaking concerning the transfer then-General Manager Theo Epstein famous that on account of accidents, the brand new acquisition had not reached his ceiling of changing into an on a regular basis participant.
Something that Epstein hoped he might turn out to be in Boston. “You’re a participant who may be an affect center of the lineup bat. An on a regular basis participant,” said Epstein at the time. “That is his ceiling and we hope he reaches it with us.”
That participant? David Ortiz, who reached that and extra with the Red Sox, changing into the center and soul of a franchise that may go on to win three World Series titles throughout his time of their lineup. Among his many accolades acquired through the years? A visit to Cooperstown as a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, as he was inducted on his first attempt again in 2022.
Over 21 years later, the Red Sox are including one other Ortiz to the group, Ortiz’s son D’Angelo Ortiz. Boston drafted the youthful Ortiz within the nineteenth spherical of the MLB Draft on Tuesday, who not too long ago performed for Miami Dade College. Over 48 video games Ortiz slashed .328/.431/.374 with one house run and 38 RBI. He additionally performed for 2 campaigns with the Brockton Rox of the Future Collegiate Baseball League.
While his father was most identified for what he did as a delegated hitter, the youthful Ortiz is a flexible participant who has seen time at third base and within the outfield.
