You know what they say about the apple not falling far from the tree? Well, D’Angelo Ortiz is proving that baseball genes run deep in the family. The 21-year-old son of Red Sox legend David “Big Papi” Ortiz just made some serious waves in the minor league system, and honestly, his dad’s reaction says it all. Want to guess what happens when natural talent meets relentless work ethic?

Want to know what happens when talent meets pure determination? D’Angelo just got the call that every minor leaguer dreams about – a promotion from the Florida Complex League Red Sox to Low-A Salem. And honestly? TBH, it makes total sense when you peek at his numbers. The kid has been crushing it with a jaw-dropping .273/.384/.689 slash line over 51 games. Like, seriously crushing it. Here’s the thing that makes this even more impressive – D’Angelo was a 19th-round pick (567th overall) in the 2024 MLB Draft, which means he wasn’t exactly the guy everyone was watching. But you know what they say about proving people wrong? He officially signed just last July and has been making noise ever since.

But here’s where it gets heartwarming – Big Papi couldn’t contain his pride. David Ortiz dropped a simple but powerful 2-word message on his Instagram story: “Proud Papa.” The Hall of Famer shared two pictures of his son – one from D’Angelo’s childhood days and another recent shot showing how far he’s come. Sometimes the most meaningful messages don’t need paragraphs, you know?

Not only did his father show love, but his sister also jumped in a few days ago! Alexandra Ortiz melted hearts with her Instagram tribute that’ll hit you right in the feels. “DOL GOT PROMOTED! His timing is always right. It takes a lot to be here. So here you go, kid, nothing for granted. Be immensely proud of the head you got on your shoulders. I’m so grateful for your mentality on and off the field,” she gushed. Pure sibling gold right there. Speaking of Big Papi’s perspective, he’s been surprisingly candid about his son’s journey. Want to know what the Hall of Famer thinks about D’Angelo’s work ethic?

Big Papi Opens Up About His Son’s Drive

But here’s where it gets really interesting – David Ortiz recently spilled some serious insights about what makes his son tick, and the father-son dynamic is fascinating. That right there shows a father who discovered his son’s natural hunger for the game runs deeper than any parental pressure ever could.

The numbers back up Big Papi’s confidence in his son’s dedication. “D’Angelo is the type of kid that lives for this,” Ortiz told MLB.com. “I have been a mentor, but not at the level that I thought. In my mind, I thought I was going to have to push him. I haven’t pushed him. He’s the one who wants it. And this kid is dedicated to baseball. I’m very excited and very proud at the same time, because he’s a good kid.” D’Angelo’s promotion comes after dominating rookie-level competition, where he showed remarkable plate discipline with a .384 on-base percentage. His .689 slugging percentage demonstrates the power potential that clearly runs in the family DNA.

What makes this story even more compelling is the timeline. From draft day in July 2024 to his first professional promotion less than a year later, D’Angelo has accelerated through the system faster than most prospects. His versatility between first and third base adds tremendous value to his profile.

The Red Sox organization sees something special in the young Ortiz. Moving from the Florida Complex League to Low-A Salem represents a significant step up in competition, facing more experienced pitchers and tougher game situations that will truly test his development.