Skip To Main Content

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

Next Event

Darryl Webb, WAC

Baseball

Ortega Promoted to Advanced A

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Drafted in the 28th round by the New York Mets in the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft, former CSU Bakersfield catcher Jake Ortega has already been promoted to the Port St. Lucie Mets, their Class A Advanced Affiliate.

A two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection at CSUB, Ortega spent 10 games with the Brooklyn Cyclones of the New York–Penn League before being called up to Port St. Lucie.  In five games with the Mets, he's hitting .267 with two walks and five runs scored in five games. 

"I have been fortunate enough to transition really well to pro ball, mainly because I felt like I was really prepared," said Ortega.  "Catching wise I felt Coach Cisterna really prepared me to catch at this level and taught me how to manage a pitching staff every night."

The pitching staff Ortega oversaw in 2019 shattered the school record in strikeouts with 495 and earned four WAC Pitcher of the Week Awards.  Ortega got a great look at what a professional pitcher looked like as Edgar Barclay, who earned three of those weekly awards, was subsequently drafted by the New York Yankees in the 15th round.  Fellow junior Darius Vines became the highest Roadrunner ever drafted this summer after being picked in the seventh round by the Atlanta Braves. 

"Catching Darius and Edgar was a huge plus because they both have big league stuff," said Ortega.  "Being able to work with them all year definitely helped me."

Speaking of Barclay, the Hawaiian native has also made a great transition to professional baseball.  Pitching for the Yankees' Rookie League Affiliate in the Gulf Coast League, the lefty has allowed just one earned run in 12 innings pitched and has 14 strikeouts. 

"Strong work ethic and mental toughness define both Edgar and Jake," said CSUB Head Coach Jeremy Beard.  "It is no surprise that they have had early success at the professional level.  They've been preparing and now they get to go out and play."

Darius Vines has pitched for two different Rookie Level teams for the Braves already this summer.  He has 17 strikeouts in 16.2 innings pitched in six starts and one relief appearance to begin his career. 

Minor League Roundup
CSUB's first major league player Austin Davis has been up and down with the Philadelphia Phillies and their Triple A Affiliate in Lehigh Valley.  Davis last appeared in a big league game on July 17, and is coming off a scoreless outing for Lehigh Valley last week. 

Mickey Jannis is in the midst of his 10th season of professional baseball and has split time between the Mets Triple A and Double A teams.  In Double A, Jannis is 5-2 with a 3.82 ERA in 11 starts. 

Playing for the Colorado Rockies organization, outfielder Mylz Jones was promoted to Triple A on two separate occasions this year, but is currently back in Double A with the Hartford Yard Goats.  Former Roadrunner middle infielders Ryan Grotjohn and David Metzgar both reached Double A this season.  Grotjohn is currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, while Metzgar is with the New York Yankees. 
 
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Ryan Grotjohn

#9 Ryan Grotjohn

INF/OF
6' 2"
Senior
David Metzgar

#15 David Metzgar

INF
5' 8"
Senior
Jake Ortega

#33 Jake Ortega

C
5' 10"
Senior
L/R
Edgar Barclay

#26 Edgar Barclay

LHP
5' 10"
Junior
L/L
Darius Vines

#24 Darius Vines

RHP
6' 1"
Junior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Ryan Grotjohn

#9 Ryan Grotjohn

6' 2"
Senior
INF/OF
David Metzgar

#15 David Metzgar

5' 8"
Senior
INF
Jake Ortega

#33 Jake Ortega

5' 10"
Senior
L/R
C
Edgar Barclay

#26 Edgar Barclay

5' 10"
Junior
L/L
LHP
Darius Vines

#24 Darius Vines

6' 1"
Junior
R/R
RHP
California State University at Bakersfield Athletics loading