Bryse Wilson: Orioles ‘messed up’ trading Joey Ortiz in Corbin Burnes deal
One of the biggest trades made ahead of the 2024 MLB season involved the Baltimore Orioles, one fo the youngest teams in baseball looking to repeat as AL East champions for the first time in five decades after winning 101 games a year ago.
The Orioles, in need of a frontline starter, acquired ace Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers in February in exchange for infielder Joey Ortiz, DL Hall and a comp pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Brewers starter Bryse Wilson had some strong comments regarding Baltimore trading Ortiz, who was a top-65 prospect across baseball (according to MLB Pipeline) heading into 2024, specifically after Saturday’s game.
“I think the Orioles messed up,” Wilson said Saturday. “I’m not going to lie. Obviously they get Corbin, but that’s a generational player right there. He hits. He plays. Elite defense. It’s awesome to have him behind us. And he plays everywhere.”
Burnes has been exceptional for Baltimore. After Sunday’s outing against the red hot Philadelphia Phillies, Burnes owns a 2.14 ERA and 3.12 FIP with a 24.2 strikeout rate. He’s been everything they’ve asked him to be.
But so has Ortiz–and then some–being one of Milwaukee’s most consistent bats while playing solid defense at third base (plus small doses at both middle infield positions).
Ortiz, 25, struggled in a very limited sample last year with Baltimore, slashing .212/.206/.242 across 34 plate appearances (15 games). But through 62 games, he’s slashing .282/.383/.475 with 13 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 27 RBIs, including a three-run homer Saturday that was enough for their 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Rays.
According to Baseball Savant, entering Sunday’s games, Ortiz was in the 66th percentile in expected batting average, 82nd in chase rate, 91st in whiff rate, 89th in strikeout rate and 94th in walk rate. His slugging percentage (53rd) and barrel rate (40th) are fairly mediocre, but the other aforementioned statistics are more than enough to suggest he’s had a rock solid season at the plate.
He’s expected to endure some regression, though he’s done everything that’s been asked of him to do. Willy Adames‘ surge has led him and Ortiz to be one of the most productive left side of the infields across the National League.
The Brewers have a 6.5-game lead on the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL Central lead. Do you believe they can keep pace? Let us know in the comments!
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