| 24 July 2012
The Diamondbacks have acquired 2B Tyler Bortnick from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Ryan Roberts. Bortnick, who just turned 25 on July 3, was a 16th Round draft pick of the Rays in 2009. He was playing for AA Montgomery this season, with a batting line of .253/.352/.385, with 4 HR, 48 RBI, and 22 Stolen Bases in 25 Attempts. His strengths are his plate discipline and his speed, and he could develop into a useful Major League utility infielder.
Tyler Bortnick, Born July 3, 1987, 5-11, 185 (Coastal Carolina)
| Age | Tm | Lg | PA | R | H | HR | RBI | SB/CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG |
| 21 | Hudson Valley | NYPL (A-) | 255 | 37 | 65 | 4 | 26 | 24/8 | 27 | 38 | .300 | .386 | .470 |
| 22 | Bowling Green | MIDW (A) | 485 | 72 | 123 | 8 | 45 | 39/14 | 63 | 67 | .303 | .408 | .451 |
| 22 | Charlotte | FLOR (A+) | 41 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 2/0 | 5 | 10 | .206 | .300 | .382 |
| 23 | Charlotte | FLOR (A+) | 588 | 96 | 145 | 4 | 70 | 43/4 | 79 | 67 | .306 | .428 | .432 |
| 24 | Montgomery | SOUL (AA) | 404 | 46 | 88 | 4 | 48 | 23/3 | 46 | 61 | .253 | .352 | .385 |
| TOTAL | 1773 | 255 | 428 | 21 | 198 | 131/29 | 220 | 243 | .289 | .396 | .431 |
Bortnick doesn't have great tools, but is a hustler and has always been a fan and coach's favorite. He has outstanding plate discipline, and actually had more walks than strikeouts in 2011. He is an excellent bunter and baserunner, and was rated by Baseball America as the best baserunner in the Florida State League in 2011. Defensively, Bortnick has a strong arm (college shortstop) and good range, and turns the double play well. The main drawback for him is the lack of power.
Bortnick was ranked as the Rays' #18 Prospect by John Sickels' MinorLeagueBall.com, and #29 by Baseball America. The Diamondbacks have said that he will report to AAA Reno, where he will compete for playing time with infielders Jake Elmore and Taylor Harbin for playing time.
