Why Joey Ortiz’s defensive masterclass is turning heads across the league

If you’ve been watching the Brewers this season, you know Joey Ortiz isn’t just holding down shortstop, he’s turning it into a defensive showcase. A glove that seems magnetized to the baseball has made him one of the most dependable infielders in Milwaukee. And while the advanced stats can be a mixed bag depending on which column you’re reading, there’s no denying Ortiz’s glove is earning respect across the league.

On the surface, Ortiz’s numbers tell an interesting story. He ranks 16th in the majors in Outs Above Average (OAA) with 9, but sits all the way down at 90th in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) with -2. In overall defensive value (Def), he’s 14th in MLB at 10.8 and 5th among all shortstops, 3rd in the National League. For Brewers fans, the takeaway is clear; the glove is elite, even if the metrics aren’t perfectly aligned.

Joey Ortiz’s elite range makes him a shortstop to watch

That brings us to the great defensive metrics debate of OAA vs. DRS.

OAA is all about range and play difficulty. It measures the probability of a fielder making a play, then gives or takes away credit based on whether they succeeded. If a shortstop makes a grab that an average fielder would only convert 25% of the time, that’s a big win in the OAA column.

DRS, on the other hand, tries to capture the total defensive package; range, throwing arm, double-play turns, positioning, and even how often a fielder prevents a runner from taking an extra base. It’s a broader metric that can sometimes favor players with strong arms or exceptional positioning over pure range.

So why such a large split for Ortiz? His OAA ranking shows that his range and ability to get to tough balls is among the league’s best. The lower DRS number could suggest his arm, double-play conversion, or other situational elements aren’t registering as favorably in that particular metric. Or that DRS simply hasn’t captured the full scope of what Brewers fans see every night.

When it comes to Gold Glove voting, both OAA and DRS play a role, but they’re only part of the equation. Coaches and managers also weigh in, and their votes often lean toward what they see on the field — which, in Ortiz’s case, is consistent excellence.

Still, the inside track for the NL Gold Glove at shortstop seems to belong to Nick Allen right now. Allen’s defensive metrics are off the charts — OAA of 16 (3rd overall in MLB, 2nd in the NL behind Masyn Winn’s 21) and DRS of 11, which edges Winn’s 5. That rare combination of elite range and top-tier total defensive value makes Allen the favorite in many analysts’ eyes.

But it’s not like Ortiz is far out of the conversation. He’s a mainstay in the lineup every day and the eye test continues to back his defensive wizardry, he could quickly climb into award consideration, especially if voters start looking beyond just one set of numbers. 

For now, Brewers fans can sit back and enjoy one of the smoothest shortstop gloves in the league, knowing that every grounder hit his way has a way of turning into an out.