The Boston Red Sox selected a familiar face on Day 3 of the 2024 MLB Draft.
On Tuesday, the Red Sox drafted D’Angelo Ortiz, the son of MLB Hall of Famer and franchise legend David, in the 19th round with the 567th overall pick. The 20-year-old spent much of his formative years around the organization, frequenting Fenway Park as a child alongside his father.
“It means a lot to the organization,” Red Sox amateur scouting director Devin Pearson told reporters promptly after making the pick. “But I just want to make it clear that D’Angelo is a prospect and the reason we selected him is a result of the relationship that our area scout has had with the player for a long time.
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“And we had him at a workout recently and got to interact with him, just felt like it was a good add to the organization. And it’s a plus that his dad’s David Ortiz, but we drafted him as a prospect.”
D’Angelo is a third baseman out of Miami Dade Community College, where he additionally played at times in the outfield. In 51 games for the Sharks this season, the 6-foot-1, 190 pound hitter slashed .377/.467/.434 with 35 RBIs and a team-high 66 hits. His 21 strikeouts, meanwhile, were fewest among all starters on the team.
D’Angelo also spent time in the Futures Collegiate League during two separate stints with the Brockton Rox. While playing in the independent league, he graced the field with several other sons of baseball legends, including Manny Ramirez Jr., Pedro Martinez Jr. and Jaden Sheffield, the son of Gary Sheffield.
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While it’s not hard to find similarities between D’Angelo and David Ortiz, the former has worked hard to pave his own path and make a separate name for himself. “D’Angelo is the type of kid that lives for this,” David told MLB.com . “I have been a mentor, but not at the level that I thought. In my mind, I thought I was going to have to push him.
“I haven’t really pushed him. He’s the one who wants it. And this kid is totally dedicated to baseball. … I’m very excited and very proud at the same time, because he’s a good kid.”
After being selected with Boston’s penultimate pick in this year’s 20-round draft, D’Angelo faces an uphill battle towards the big leagues. But David expressed confidence that his son will eventually make it to the majors.
“I'm so happy, because that's my team. That's my team, and my son getting the opportunity … I always say this, ‘The sky's the limit,’” he said. “When I came to the Red Sox, nobody was expecting me to be who I became, I just worked my butt off and God blessed me with my ability.
“And here we are today. You never know that [could be] the same thing that might work out for him. Who knows.”
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