Joey Ortiz DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Joey Ortiz will start the season at shortstop. During camp, Ortiz began to take reps at shortstop to fill the void left by Willy Adames. There was speculation that Brice Turang could also move to this position, but Ortiz was able to earn the job. Last season, the 26-year-old spent the vast majority of his time at the hot corner. Across 142 contests, Ortiz held a .239/.329/.398 slash line with 25 doubles, six triples, and 11 home runs. He drew walks at an elite 11.0 percent rate but generated a low .305 xwOBA. However, Ortiz was graded as an elite defender as he placed in the 96th percentile in range, according to Statcast. He also swiped 11 bags and placed in the 85th percentile in sprint speed. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should view Ortiz as a reliable depth infielder, as he should have an everyday role in the lineup and will carry multi-positional eligibility.

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Joey Ortiz is penciled in to start at shortstop and hit sixth in the team's Cactus League opener on Saturday against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Fantasy managers should take Milwaukee's first spring lineup with a grain of salt, but it's interesting that Ortiz will make the start at the 6 in the first game without Willy Adames, who signed with the San Francisco Giants in the offseason. Brice Turang, the other main candidate to take over at shortstop this year, will start at second on Saturday. The 26-year-old Ortiz showed a nice glove at the hot corner for the Brew Crew in 2024 and also slashed .239/.329/.398 with 11 home runs, 60 RBI, 11 stolen bases and 58 runs scored in 142 games in his first full year in the big leagues and with Milwaukee. Ortiz has 15-15 potential and could very well be adding SS eligibility, but he's more of an infield depth option in mixed fantasy leagues.

Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Joey Ortiz (neck) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since the beginning of July due to neck inflammation. He'll jump right back in at bat eighth while covering third base versus Jackson Rutledge on Friday. In a corresponding move, infielder Vinny Capra has been optioned to the minors. Fantasy managers who have Ortiz rostered can get him back in their lineups on Friday.