Why the Brewers Should Still Believe in Joey Ortiz Heading Into 2026
Joey Ortiz’s rookie campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024 gave fans a lot to be excited about. The young infielder didn’t just make the jump to the big leagues-he grabbed hold of an everyday role at third base and never looked back.
By season’s end, Ortiz had logged 142 games, posted a .239/.329/.398 slash line, and drove in 60 runs. Not eye-popping numbers at first glance, but dig a little deeper, and you saw a player with advanced plate discipline, sneaky-good contact skills, and the kind of defensive versatility that teams covet.
But 2025? That was a different story.
Ortiz shifted over to shortstop-his more natural position-but struggled to find his rhythm at the plate. His slash line dipped to .230/.276/.317, and his run production fell to 45 RBI.
The biggest difference? The plate discipline that had been such a strength in 2024 seemed to vanish.
Still, there are reasons to believe this was more of a sophomore slump than a permanent regression. Let’s take a look at two key areas that point to a possible bounce-back in 2026.
1. Chase Rate and Swing Percentage: A Departure from the Plan
One of Ortiz’s calling cards as a rookie was his ability to stay within himself at the plate. In 2024, he posted an 11% walk rate, chased just 24% of pitches outside the zone, and struck out at a manageable 20.2% clip. That kind of discipline isn’t easy to teach-it’s often the difference between a serviceable bat and a top-of-the-lineup contributor.
But in 2025, that discipline took a hit. Ortiz’s overall swing rate jumped to 46%, a full 7% higher than the year before.
He also became far more aggressive early in counts, swinging at the first pitch 27% of the time-up 9% from his rookie season. The result?
A chase rate that ballooned to 33% and a noticeable drop in quality at-bats.
Now, there are a few possible reasons for this shift. Batting at the bottom of the order, Ortiz may have felt pressure to be more aggressive, knowing pitchers were likely to challenge him. That mindset can lead to pressing-trying to do too much with each plate appearance rather than letting the game come to you.
The good news? These are correctable habits.
Ortiz has already shown he can be a disciplined hitter. If he can recalibrate his approach and get back to hunting for his pitch instead of chasing the pitcher’s, he’s got a real shot at turning things around.
2. Performance with RISP: More Encouraging Than It Looked
Ortiz’s struggles with the bases loaded in 2025 were hard to miss. In 30 at-bats in those high-leverage situations, he hit just .167. That’s the kind of stat that sticks in fans’ minds, especially when the team is looking for a spark.
But zoom out a bit, and the overall numbers with runners in scoring position tell a more balanced story. Ortiz hit .267 in RISP situations-certainly not elite, but far from a liability. That suggests he wasn’t completely lost in clutch moments; the bases-loaded struggles were more of an outlier than a trend.
For a young hitter still learning the league, those moments are part of the growth curve. The fact that Ortiz didn’t completely fold in pressure situations is a sign he’s capable of handling them-and improving with more reps.
What Comes Next: A Crucial Year Ahead
The Brewers have every reason to give Joey Ortiz another long look in 2026. The tools are there: a smooth glove, positional flexibility, and a track record-albeit short-of being a disciplined, contact-oriented bat. If he can rediscover the patience that defined his rookie season and regain confidence in his strike zone management, there’s a clear path back to being a productive everyday player.
Ortiz doesn’t need to be a star to make a difference. He just needs to be the steady, reliable presence he showed flashes of in 2024. And if he can combine that with improved situational hitting and a more measured approach at the plate, the Brewers could have something special on their hands.
A bounce-back isn’t just possible-it’s well within reach.