Last Updated on October 27, 2026 by Albert Ross
Joey Ortiz is an American professional baseball infielder for the Milwaukee Brewers in Major League Baseball (MLB). Born Joseph Anthony Ortiz on July 14, 1998, in Garden Grove, California, he comes from a close-knit family with strong connections to baseball and Mexican heritage. Joey Ortiz’s family includes his wife, Iliana May Ortiz, his father, Juan Ortiz, his mother, Denise Ortiz, and his three siblings: Matthew, Jonathan and Desiree Ortiz.
As of now, Joey Ortiz is married to his longtime girlfriend, Iliana May, whom he married on January 10, 2025. The couple is expecting their first child, a daughter, in December 2026. His parents supported his baseball ambitions throughout childhood, while his younger brother Matthew also pursued competitive baseball and played at Washington State University.
Joey Ortiz’s Wife: Who Is Iliana May Ortiz?
Joey Ortiz’s wife is Iliana May Ortiz, formerly known as Iliana May. She is his longtime romantic partner and the mother-to-be of their first child.
Their relationship became publicly documented during Joey’s early professional baseball career with the Baltimore Orioles organization.
Iliana was already his girlfriend when he received his first Major League Baseball promotion in April 2023.
According to an MLB.com report published on April 28, 2023, she traveled from Jacksonville, Florida, to Detroit, Michigan, to attend Joey’s major league debut against the Detroit Tigers.
His parents, Juan and Denise Ortiz, also traveled from Arizona to witness the important occasion.
After the game, Joey celebrated with his girlfriend and parents, embracing them outside the clubhouse following an impressive first performance.
Iliana continued supporting him as he transitioned from the Baltimore Orioles to the Milwaukee Brewers in February 2024.
The couple eventually married in January 2025, making their longtime relationship official.
Although Iliana occasionally appears in photographs and social media posts associated with Joey’s baseball career, she generally maintains a relatively private personal life.
Information about her education, occupation and family background has not been extensively documented in reliable public sources.
When Did Joey Ortiz Marry Iliana May?
Joey Ortiz married Iliana May on January 10, 2025.
The wedding took place during the Major League Baseball offseason, allowing the Milwaukee Brewers infielder to celebrate with family and friends before the beginning of another professional season.
According to a report published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on February 5, 2025, the couple shared photographs from their wedding through a joint Instagram post.
The images included the newlyweds displaying their wedding rings against a sunset backdrop.
Joey wore a black tuxedo, while Iliana chose a white wedding dress.
The Milwaukee Brewers also celebrated their marriage through the team’s official social media accounts.
Several professional baseball players congratulated the couple, including former teammates and friends from Joey’s time with the Orioles and Brewers.
The marriage was subsequently confirmed in his official MLB biography and New Mexico State University’s athletics records.
Joey Ortiz’s Girlfriend Before Marriage
Before their wedding, Iliana May was Joey Ortiz’s longtime girlfriend and later his fiancée.
The couple had already established a relationship before his Major League Baseball debut in April 2023.
At the time, Iliana traveled from Florida to Michigan to support him during one of the most important moments of his professional career.
Interestingly, Joey and Iliana’s relationship appears to have begun several years earlier.
In June 2019, local sports publication OC Sports Zone reported that Joey’s girlfriend was among those present at his family home when the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the MLB Draft.
Although the report did not identify that girlfriend by name, it established that Ortiz was in a relationship during his college baseball years.
The exact date when Joey and Iliana first met has not been reliably documented.
As of now, Iliana is his wife rather than his girlfriend, and the couple is preparing to welcome their first child.
Joey Ortiz’s Children: Is He Expecting a Baby?
Joey Ortiz and his wife, Iliana, are expecting their first child, a daughter, in December 2026.
The couple publicly announced the pregnancy in August 2026 while participating in a special community event organized by the Milwaukee Brewers and Aurora Health Care.
As of now, their daughter has not yet been born, and the couple has no other publicly confirmed children.
Joey Ortiz and Iliana Are Expecting Their First Daughter
On August 7, 2026, FOX6 Milwaukee published a report about a surprise baby shower held at American Family Field.
The event was organized for Milwaukee residents Helen and Steve Brusky, who were expecting a daughter after experiencing a previous pregnancy loss.
The Brewers and Aurora Health Care arranged the celebration to recognize the couple’s journey toward parenthood.
Joey Ortiz and his wife, Iliana, attended as special guests, surprising the family during the event.
During the celebration, Joey and Iliana revealed that they were also expecting a baby.
The announcement attracted attention from local baseball fans because it provided a rare glimpse into the infielder’s private family life.
FOX6 confirmed that the couple was expecting their first child, a girl, in December 2026.
The baby’s name and exact expected birth date have not been publicly confirmed.
The announcement represented an important milestone for Joey and Iliana, who had married approximately seven months before the public pregnancy reveal.
As of now, the couple is preparing to become first-time parents.
Joey Ortiz’s Parents: Meet Juan and Denise Ortiz
Joey Ortiz’s parents are Juan Ortiz and Denise Ortiz, who raised him and his three siblings in Southern California.
Both parents are identified in his official New Mexico State University baseball biography and in the Washington State University player biography of his younger brother, Matthew.
An April 2023 MLB report refers to his father as José Ortiz, although both university records identify him as Juan Ortiz. The university biographies provide consistent documentation of the family names.
Joey’s parents have supported his baseball development since childhood and have attended important professional games, including his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles.
Juan Ortiz: Joey Ortiz’s Father
Juan Ortiz is Joey Ortiz’s father and an important influence on his early baseball development.
He helped raise four children in Garden Grove, California, where Joey began playing baseball at approximately four years old.
According to biographical reporting about Joey’s development, Juan worked in construction while helping his children pursue their sporting interests.
He also coached Joey during portions of his childhood, encouraging him to improve his hitting, fielding and defensive abilities.
Joey eventually became a promising baseball player at Pacifica High School, where his athletic abilities attracted attention from college recruiters.
Juan continued following his son’s progress when Joey joined New Mexico State University.
His support became particularly visible during Joey’s major league debut on April 27, 2023.
At the time, Joey’s parents were living in Buckeye, Arizona.
After learning about the promotion, they arranged a late-night flight from Phoenix to Detroit so they could attend his first MLB game.
The couple left Arizona shortly after midnight and arrived in Detroit the following morning.
They subsequently collected Joey’s girlfriend, Iliana, from the airport before traveling to Comerica Park.
During the game, Joey recorded three runs batted in, contributing to Baltimore’s 7-4 victory against the Detroit Tigers.
Following his son’s first hit, Juan expressed relief and pride, explaining that he knew Joey would become more comfortable after recording his first major league hit.
The occasion demonstrated how closely his father had followed his progress from childhood baseball to the highest professional level.
Denise Ortiz: Joey Ortiz’s Mother
Denise Ortiz is Joey Ortiz’s mother and another important supporter of his baseball career.
She raised Joey alongside his father, Juan, and their three other children in Garden Grove, California.
Denise was involved in her son’s development from his early Little League experiences through high school and college baseball.
She also celebrated important milestones during his professional journey.
In June 2019, Denise was among the relatives gathered at the family’s home when Joey learned that the Baltimore Orioles had selected him in the fourth round of the MLB Draft.
The news represented the fulfillment of a goal he had pursued throughout childhood.
Four years later, Denise traveled to Detroit alongside her husband to watch Joey make his Major League Baseball debut.
According to MLB.com, the couple arranged their trip with very little notice, arriving in time to witness their son’s first major league appearance.
After the game, Denise expressed happiness about attending the occasion and explained that she would not have wanted to miss it.
Her involvement reflects the importance of family encouragement throughout Joey’s sporting journey.
Although her personal occupation and professional background have not been extensively documented in reliable reporting, her support for her son’s career is well established.
Joey Ortiz’s Siblings: Meet Matthew, Jonathan and Desiree Ortiz
Joey Ortiz has three siblings: two brothers, Matthew Ortiz and Jonathan Ortiz, and a sister named Desiree Ortiz.
All three are officially identified in his 2019 New Mexico State University baseball biography.
The family relationships are also confirmed through Washington State University’s player biography of Matthew Ortiz.
Matthew followed his older brother into competitive baseball, while Jonathan and Desiree have maintained comparatively private public profiles.
Matthew Ortiz: Joey Ortiz’s Younger Brother and College Baseball Player
Matthew Ortiz, also known as Matt Ortiz, is Joey Ortiz’s younger brother and a former college baseball player.
Like Joey, Matthew grew up in Garden Grove, California, and attended Pacifica High School.
He developed into a talented infielder and attracted attention from college baseball recruiters.
During his junior season at Pacifica, Matthew recorded a .387 batting average and earned All-Empire League First Team recognition.
His performances helped him secure an opportunity to play college baseball at Washington State University.
In February 2020, Washington State officially announced Matthew as part of its incoming baseball recruiting class.
The university highlighted his relationship with Joey, who had already been selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Matthew was listed as a freshman infielder on Washington State’s 2021 roster.
However, the university’s records indicate that he spent the season as a redshirt and subsequently left the program.
His publicly documented college baseball career therefore differs from Joey’s progression into professional baseball.
Despite following different sporting paths, the brothers shared important experiences during their youth.
How Joey Ortiz Supported His Brother Matthew’s Baseball Career
Joey Ortiz maintained a connection with Pacifica High School even after becoming a successful college baseball player.
In June 2019, shortly after the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the MLB Draft, Joey visited his former high school baseball program.
According to OC Sports Zone, his younger brother Matthew was still playing for Pacifica at the time.
Joey attended one of the team’s summer baseball games, speaking with players and offering encouragement.
Pacifica coach Mike Caira praised Joey for remaining involved with the program and supporting his younger brother.
The occasion demonstrated Joey’s willingness to maintain relationships with the people and community who had supported his development.
Jonathan Ortiz: Joey Ortiz’s Brother
Jonathan Ortiz is another of Joey Ortiz’s brothers.
His name is documented in official player biographies published by New Mexico State University and Washington State University.
Jonathan grew up as part of the Ortiz family alongside Joey, Matthew and Desiree.
However, unlike Joey and Matthew, Jonathan has not been extensively featured in established baseball reporting.
Information about his education, profession and personal relationships has not been reliably documented in the public sources reviewed.
His exact age and whether he is older or younger than Joey have also not been conclusively established.
Therefore, his relationship with the Milwaukee Brewers infielder can be confirmed, but further personal details remain private.
Desiree Ortiz: Joey Ortiz’s Sister
Desiree Ortiz is Joey Ortiz’s sister and the only daughter publicly identified among the four Ortiz siblings.
Her name appears in Joey’s New Mexico State University baseball biography and Matthew’s Washington State University records.
Desiree grew up in the same Southern California family as her three brothers.
Although Joey and Matthew pursued competitive baseball careers, Desiree has maintained a relatively private life.
Reliable public sources do not provide sufficient information about her occupation, education or personal relationships.
Her exact age and birth date have also not been widely documented.
Nevertheless, her identity as Joey Ortiz’s sister is officially confirmed.
Joey Ortiz’s Childhood and Family Life in California
Joey Ortiz was born on July 14, 1998, in Garden Grove, California.
He grew up in Southern California, where baseball became an important part of his childhood.
According to an interview published by OC Sports Zone in June 2019, he began playing baseball at approximately four years old.
His parents encouraged his participation in competitive youth baseball, allowing him to develop his defensive skills and understanding of the game.
Joey attended Pacifica High School, where he became one of the baseball program’s most accomplished players.
During his senior season, he recorded a .417 batting average, a .714 slugging percentage and a .969 fielding percentage.
His performances attracted interest from college baseball programs.
After graduating from high school, Ortiz joined New Mexico State University, where he continued his athletic development.
During his freshman season in 2017, he established himself as a reliable infielder, earning significant playing time.
His performances improved throughout his three college seasons.
In 2019, he enjoyed an outstanding junior campaign, batting .422 with eight home runs and 84 RBIs.
The achievements helped him earn Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year recognition.
How Joey Ortiz’s Family Influenced His MLB Career
Family encouragement has been important throughout Joey Ortiz’s development from a young baseball player in California to a Major League Baseball infielder.
His parents helped him pursue competitive baseball and continued supporting him throughout high school and college.
His younger brother Matthew shared his enthusiasm for the sport, eventually following him into college baseball.
In June 2019, the Baltimore Orioles selected Ortiz in the fourth round of the MLB Draft with the 108th overall pick.
He received the news while gathered with family members at home in Garden Grove.
After signing with Baltimore, he progressed through the organization’s minor league system.
On April 27, 2023, he made his Major League Baseball debut against the Detroit Tigers.
His parents and girlfriend traveled to Detroit to witness the milestone.
Joey recorded three RBIs during Baltimore’s 7-4 victory, becoming one of the few Orioles players to achieve that total in an MLB debut.
In February 2024, he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers alongside pitcher DL Hall and a draft selection in the deal that sent Corbin Burnes to Baltimore.
The move provided him with more opportunities to establish himself as a regular major league infielder.
During the 2024 season, he played in 142 games, hitting 11 home runs and recording 60 RBIs.
He subsequently became Milwaukee’s primary shortstop in 2025, appearing in 149 games.
His relationship with Iliana also reached an important milestone during his time in Milwaukee, as the couple married in January 2025.
In 2026, Ortiz represented Mexico at the World Baseball Classic, celebrating his family’s Mexican heritage.
He also contributed to Milwaukee’s successful season as the Brewers advanced to the World Series.
Outside baseball, the announcement that he and Iliana were expecting their first child represented another important personal achievement.
Joey Ortiz’s Mexican Family Heritage
Although Joey Ortiz was born and raised in California, his family has Mexican heritage.
This connection allowed him to represent Mexico in international baseball competition.
In January 2026, Ortiz was officially added to Mexico’s roster for the World Baseball Classic.
He subsequently participated in the tournament, representing the country connected to his family’s ancestry.
His selection attracted attention among Mexican baseball fans because he had developed his professional career entirely in the United States.
The opportunity demonstrated that his family’s cultural background remains an important part of his identity alongside his American upbringing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joey Ortiz’s Family
Who is Joey Ortiz’s wife?
Joey Ortiz’s wife is Iliana May Ortiz. The couple married on January 10, 2025, during the Major League Baseball offseason.
Does Joey Ortiz have a girlfriend?
Joey Ortiz is married to Iliana May, who was previously his longtime girlfriend. They were publicly identified as a couple before his MLB debut in April 2023.
When did Joey Ortiz get married?
Joey Ortiz married Iliana May on January 10, 2025. Their wedding was publicly celebrated by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Does Joey Ortiz have children?
As of now, Joey Ortiz has no children who have been publicly confirmed as born. However, he and his wife are expecting their first child, a daughter, in December 2026.
Is Joey Ortiz expecting a baby girl?
Yes. Joey Ortiz and his wife, Iliana, announced in August 2026 that they are expecting their first child, a daughter, in December 2026.
Who are Joey Ortiz’s parents?
Joey Ortiz’s parents are Juan Ortiz and Denise Ortiz, according to his official New Mexico State University baseball biography. A separate MLB report identifies his father as José Ortiz.
Who is Joey Ortiz’s father?
Joey Ortiz’s father is identified as Juan Ortiz in official university athletics records. He supported his son’s baseball development and attended his major league debut in April 2023.
Who is Joey Ortiz’s mother?
Joey Ortiz’s mother is Denise Ortiz. She attended his MLB debut against the Detroit Tigers and celebrated his achievements throughout his baseball career.
How many siblings does Joey Ortiz have?
Joey Ortiz has three siblings: two brothers named Matthew and Jonathan Ortiz and a sister named Desiree Ortiz.
Who is Joey Ortiz’s brother Matthew?
Matthew Ortiz is Joey Ortiz’s younger brother and a former college baseball player who joined Washington State University’s baseball program in 2020.
Who is Joey Ortiz’s other brother?
Joey Ortiz’s other brother is Jonathan Ortiz. His name appears in official university player biographies, although detailed information about his personal life remains private.
Who is Joey Ortiz’s sister?
Joey Ortiz’s sister is Desiree Ortiz, whose relationship with the Brewers infielder is confirmed through New Mexico State and Washington State university records.
Where is Joey Ortiz’s family from?
Joey Ortiz’s family has strong connections to Garden Grove, California, where he was born and raised. His parents later lived in Buckeye, Arizona.
Is Joey Ortiz Mexican?
Joey Ortiz is American by birth and has Mexican family heritage. He represented Mexico during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
What is Joey Ortiz’s full name?
His full name is Joseph Anthony Ortiz. He was born on July 14, 1998, in Garden Grove, California.
Albert Ross is a sports journalist and baseball analyst dedicated to in-depth Major League Baseball (MLB) coverage, game strategies, and player performance tracking. From Spring Training storylines and trade deadline developments to pennant races and October baseball, he breaks down pitching rotations, hitting metrics, and roster moves across both the AL and NL. Albert combines data-driven insights with sharp commentary to deliver engaging stories for baseball fans nationwide.
