Prospect Ortiz Is Lean and Mean

Take one look at Angel pitching prospect Ramon Ortiz, and the question immediately comes to mind: This kid led the entire minor leagues with 225 strikeouts for Class-A Cedar Rapids last season?

It’s difficult to envision such a lean and wiry 6-foot-1, 180-pounder having the strength to generate 95-mph pitches, but that’s where the right-hander’s fastball is often clocked.

“It’s a gift from God,” said Ortiz, a 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic. “I don’t know where my power comes from. I just know my arm has always been pretty strong.”

The Angels have not had a home-grown Latin American player on their major league team since 1988, but Ortiz, who was signed in 1995, is the heavy favorite to end the drought.

He’ll probably play this season at Class-A Lake Elsinore or double-A Midland, but if he progresses the way he did in 1997, when he went 11-10 with a 3.58 earned-run average, he could reach the big leagues by the end of 1999 or in 2000.

Angel Manager Terry Collins saw Ortiz throw for the first time Wednesday, and his eyes lit up when asked about his potential. “The ball comes out of his hand pretty good,” he said. “Pedro Martinez [5-11, 175] is not very big, either, and look what he can do.”

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Collins has been very pleased with the progress of second baseman Randy Velarde, who is trying to return from elbow reconstruction surgery, but he is growing more concerned about catcher Todd Greene after four days of camp.

Greene, who had surgery to repair a slight shoulder tear last November, is experiencing some discomfort as he tries to build up arm strength, and the Angels are limiting his throwing.

“He’s the only guy in camp who will have to be monitored health-wise,” Collins said. “Velarde looks real comfortable. I don’t think he’s going to have any problems.”

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Shortstop Gary DiSarcina’s wife, Janee, is due with the couple’s second child this week, but DiSarcina is trying to time his return to Massachusetts for the delivery so he doesn’t miss too much of camp. “He’s got six pagers, four cellular phones, a satellite hanging over his head. . . . He is definitely on call,” Collins said. . . . The Angels agreed to terms with infielder Chris Pritchett and pitcher Brian Cooper on 1998 contracts.