WASHINGTON – The seven-hour drive went by quickly. After the grind of 559 Minor League games and 77 winter ball contests over the past seven years, a car ride from Rochester, N.Y., to Washington, D.C., was a breeze.
First baseman/designated hitter Abimelec Ortiz, the Nationals’ No. 25 prospect, was called up for his Major League debut on Sunday. He received the news Saturday morning from Triple-A Red Wings manager Matthew LeCroy, called his family in Puerto Rico so they could quickly book a flight that night and told his wife they had a road trip to make.
A long path to the big leagues was culminating in just one day.
“It made me want to cry because I was thinking about all of the years, the trials, all the tests, all the difficulties that I have gone through to be able to reach the top level,” Ortiz said in Spanish.
The lefty-hitting Ortiz commemorated his debut by doubling off right-hander Will Warren for his first Major League hit. He worked a seven-pitch at-bat in the fourth inning and sent a 105 mph line drive that traveled to the warning track.
Ortiz went 1-for-2 before he was pinch-hit for by right-hander Curtis Mead in the Nationals’ 5-3 loss to the Yankees.
“Super pumped for him,” said manager Blake Butera. “I thought he did a really good job staying inside that ball. He hit it well to left-center field and gave us a chance to get something going that inning.”
Ortiz was one of five prospects acquired by the Nationals in the MacKenzie Gore trade with the Rangers in January. The 24-year-old signed with Texas as a non-drafted free agent in July 2021, and he worked his way up to Triple-A Round Rock last season.
Part of the Nationals’ 40-man roster, Ortiz participated in Major League Spring Training this year. He was optioned to Rochester the second-to-last week of camp.
In 71 games with the Red Wings, Ortiz slashed .235/.332/.481 with an .813 OPS, 17 doubles, 59 RBIs, 48 runs scored and 31 walks. He was named the International League Player of the Week for batting .476 with 10 RBIs from May 25-31.
At the time of his promotion, Ortiz was hitting .255 with 12 home runs against right-handers compared to .167 with four homers against southpaws.
“He started swinging the bat well, particularly against right-handed pitchers,” Butera said. “[We] thought this would be a good opportunity for him.”
Sitting at his locker in a Major League clubhouse, Ortiz reflected on the sacrifices made by his family to help get him to this point.
He acknowledged his parents, Victor and Rose, for their dedication. He recounted how they juggled the schedules of he and his siblings, left work and drove straight to practice – while dealing with an hour and a half of traffic. Even their flight to Washington on Saturday night was delayed, and they did not arrive until after midnight.
Ortiz also gave a shoutout to his brother Elimelec, who was unable to make the trip, for his support over the years.
“My mom screamed in joy,” Ortiz said of the news. “It was a very emotional moment.”
As the Nationals head into the All-Star break, they optioned Ortiz to Triple-A after the game. It is an approach they have taken other times this season following a Major League or Nationals debut to manage the roster. They will need to add another pitcher after the break.
Even as Ortiz appreciated his accomplishment, he knew Sunday was just the first step.
“Obviously, we haven’t achieved anything yet,” Ortiz said. “We’re still working hard. But I was really overcome by so many emotions in that moment.”