Baseball scouts and executives love prototypes, which may explain Dan Ortmeier’s struggle to find a home.

At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, he looks the part of a power-hitting corner infielder or outfielder. But those looks are deceiving, as he’s a switch-hitter with a skill set based more on speed and putting the ball between outfielders instead of over their heads.

In other words, he looks like Matt Holliday but plays more like Dexter Fowler – minus a step or two. Maybe that’s why he’s toiling in Triple A past his 28th birthday.

“I don’t know what it is,” said Ortmeier, who is hitting .317 with 60 RBIs while shifting between first base and right field for the Sky Sox. “That’s the ability and the tools God gave me and I’m going to try to use them to the best of my ability. I’m not going to try to be somebody I’m not. I’m not going to try to go out there and hit 50 home runs.”

In parts of four years with San Francisco – including a career high 62 games in 2007 – Ortmeier hit just six home runs to go with his .255 average in the equivalent of half a season worth of at-bats.

The Giants let him walk after he struggled last year with injuries and poor performance in both the majors and minors.

He has spent all of this season in Colorado Springs, where he’s hitting .366 with 28 RBIs in 27 games since July 1.

He’s even showing power, knocking four of his six home runs in that span.

Until then he had more triples (five) than home runs.

“Just watching him take BP (batting practice), it’s more of a powerful and explosive BP,” Sky Sox manager Stu Cole said. “And he’s taking that into the ballgame. He’s making good, solid contact, hitting some home runs and putting it into some gaps. So it’s good to see him taking that approach in BP and carrying that into the game from both sides.”

It remains to be seen if his recent success will earn him another chance in the majors, though it wouldn’t be surprising to see him called up when rosters expand in September – but in what capacity?

Defensive replacement? Not over Todd Helton or anyone in Colorado’s talented outfield. Pinch hitter? Tough to say.

He’s again the square peg looking to fit into the round holes created by baseball’s typical roles.

“It’s hard for me to look that far ahead,” Ortmeier said. “The season’s just too long to do that. You really just have to focus each day and take that kind of approach.”

Game PostponedThe Sky Sox’s home game on Wednesday night was postponed because of weather. The game will be completed Friday at 5 p.m.

Sky Sox first baseman/outfielder Dan Ortmeier’s batting numbers are on the rise since July 1. Photo by Kevin Kreck