Carlos Ozuna

CARLOS OZUNA, SHORTSTOP
Born: July 19, 1993
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 162
Bats: Both
Throws: Right
Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2011
Country: Dominican Republic
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Ozuna is a shortstop with good speed and fielding potential, and an arm Baseball America describes as average.  He isn’t likely to have more than gap power.

2012
DSL:  273/363/364, 198 AB, 12 2B, 3 3B, 26 BB, 47 K, 15-25 SB

Ozuna had a good debut, showing on-base ability but with a high strikeout rate for a hitter with limited power.  He played short exclusively, which is a little unusual as the Pirates usually move players around a lot at the rookie levels.  He had a high error total, 25 in 56 games, but he’s still young and inexperienced.  He also needs to improve his base stealing technique.

2013
R:  204/258/261, 142 AB, 4 2B, 2 3B, 10 BB, 36 K, 2-5 SB

Ozuna struggled in the GCL, with a high K rate, especially for a hitter with no power.  He was the primary shortstop initially, but played more at second once Trae Arbet signed.

2014
R+:  255/315/376, 149 AB, 8 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 8 BB, 44 K

With Arbet at short and Pablo Reyes also on the team, Ozuna split his time between second and third.  He made a lot of progress at the plate, even hitting for some power, although his walk and K rates were poor.  He actually hit very well after struggling through a 2-for-28 June, posting a 333/390/389 line in July and 269/310/463 in August.

2015
R+:  218/262/319, 119 AB, 5 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 7 BB, 33 K, 1-1 SB

Despite the progress he made in 2014, the Pirates sent Ozuna back to Bristol in 2015.  He served in a utility role, seeing time at second, third and short.  At the plate, he regressed badly.

Ozuna will probably continue to serve as a lower-level utility player.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2016: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $115,000
MiLB Debut: 2012
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2018
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: 2016
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
April 16, 2011: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.