By Guillermo Sanchez
There was the possibility that Raphael Ortega, the Venezuelan outfielder, returned to the Chicago Cubs team, even after they did not put him up for sale last year. At least a minor league contract would have served him well.
But with Cody Bellinger taking over center field for the Bears and with Nelson Velázquez and Ben DeLuzio at least above him in the Major League debut order, the Venezuelan seems to have made the best decision.
That is why he went to try his luck, he has gotten a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. This was reported by NBC Sports.
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As the web portal mentions Bleacher Nation: Ortega, 31, was a long-time MLB fringe player, bouncing between Triple-A and MLB for nearly a decade before having a more consistent career with the Cubs over the past two years. In that time, he’s hit .265/.344/.408/108 wRC+ in 701 PA and overall proved a capable big league bat against righties (I got to see him hitting some home runs at Yankee Stadium with that short porch in Correct). Defensively, he is also passable in all outfield. He’s a good guy to have around for a minor league contract, and I’d be surprised if the Yankees don’t mention him at some point. (Just don’t let him run the bases too much)”.
Last season he was with the Cubs and played 118 games. Likewise, he hit .241 / .331 / .358, had 76 hits, including seven home runs and managed to steal 12 bases.
