I know this seems to be bad-timing for a Marlins 2018 season review piece, but I’ve been doing these for five months now. The series will shut down on Saturday. Ortega’s piece is the 280th of 286 being written this offseason.
Rafael Angel Ortega is a 5’11”, 160 lb. lefty-batting righty-throwing outfielder from El Tigre, Venezuela, population 203,403. Ortega is one-of-three major leaguers to originate in the city, along with RHP’s Jean Machi and Luis Aponte.
Ortega was born on May 15th, 1991, and signed his first professional deal with the Colorado Rockies in 2008.