2000 Bowman, Omar Ortiz

#387 Omar Ortiz

Finally, I am back on track. This is the first card from the new millinium. I was in college when these cards came out and collecting cards wasn't one of my priorities. So most of the cards from 2000 and 2001 are going to be somewhat recent acqisitions and this card meets that criteria. This card came from Rod, of Padrographs, when he sent me the giant stack of signed Padres cards about a year and a half ago.

Omar never reached the Major Leagues and he only played professionally for five seasons. He was the Padres first round draft choice in 1999. After two seasons in the Padres minor league system, he ended up as property of the Marlins. I can't find out how he ended up with them, though. I don't know if he was released, traded, or a Rule V pick. He pitched two full seasons for the Fish, reaching AA in the second one. He was 4-8 with a 5.38 ERA there. That was his last full season in affilated ball. The next season, he pitched a few games for the Rangers A team and the Marlins AA team before ending up with Edinburg in the independent Central League.