The lean, mean, power machine is back and better than ever.
This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual Pre-Season Prospect Countdown, this time looking at the top 40 prospects in the organization. We’ll look at the player’s stats, my observations, and other publications’ scouting reports if available.
Let’s take a look at our third-best Toronto Blue Jays prospect, Orelvis Martínez!
Getting to know Orelvis Martínez…
Position: Second base/Third base
Bats: Right
Born: November 19, 2001
Acquired: 2018 International Free Agency
Previous ranking: 2
The Blue Jays signed Martínez in the 2018 International Free Agency period for a bonus of $3.5 million, one of the largest in team history. He made his debut the following season, slashing .275/.352/.549 with seven home runs in 163 plate appearances for a 150 wRC+ in the Gulf Coast League, now the Florida Complex League.
Martínez split his 2021 season between Single-A, where he found success, and High-A, where he was okay. Overall, he slashed .261/.345/.549 with 28 home runs in 451 plate appearances, with his home run count being the highest in the organization.
After just 125 plate appearances in High-A to end the 2021 season, Martínez began his 2022 season in Double-A. Overall, he did okay as he hit 30 home runs, once again the most in the league and an impressive feat considering he was just 20 at the time. However, he slashed .203/.286/.446 in 492 plate appearances and the hit tool was starting to become a concern.
In 2023, he started the season in Double-A and once again had a tough start, before tearing up the rest of the season from mid-May onwards. Martínez didn’t stop tearing the cover off the ball in Triple-A either and slashed .243/.340/.496 with 28 home runs in 538 plate appearances for a 114 wRC+. Once again, he led the Blue Jays minor league system in home runs.
Then came 2024. His season with the Buffalo Bisons was bad by any means, as he slashed .267/.346/.523 with 17 home runs in 319 plate appearances, but missed a significant number of games due to a PED suspension. In the midst of that, he registered his first Major League Baseball hit in three plate appearances at the level. However, if he wasn’t suspended, the 2024 season with the Blue Jays big league team could’ve given him valuable experience.
Despite the suspension, Martínez ranked as MLB Pipeline’s second-best Blue Jays prospect in their 2024 mid-season update. Without question, he has the best game-power in the organization, being given a 60-grade power tool. His hit tool still isn’t great, but it’s become serviceable since the 2023 season. He’s not the quickest of runners and while he has a strong home, his defensive home is still unknown. Recently, John Schneider noted that he’ll play second base and third base in 2025.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
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