High School: Graduated from Cholla High School in Tucson where he earned four varsity baseball letters for coaches Frank Trujillo and Dan Lopez ... Team captain in 2001 and again in 2002 ... Owns Cholla High School career records for most home runs, RBIs, runs scored, walks and varsity games played ... Was named to the All-Southern Arizona Baseball Team four times ... Also played two seasons of varsity soccer for coach Art Arnold ... Was named the Hispanic Student Athlete of the Year his senior season ... Was honored with recognition as a Hispanic Studies Student.
Summer Leagues: Played two seasons of All-Star Pony baseball ... Was member of the Tucson Dorados traveling team for four years ... Participated for the USA Baseball 16 and under team for three years and for the 18 and under team for two ... Earned all-tournament honors for the USA Baseball 18 and under team.
Personal: Full name: Alex Wes Ortega ... Nickname: Bruiser ... Born: 10/26/83 in Tucson, Ariz. ... Son of Alex and Juanita Ortega ... Has two brothers, Vinny and Brian ... Got the nickname Bruiser from his pediatrician the day he was born because he weighed in at 10 lbs-12.5 oz.
