The Toronto Blue Jays’ regular season gets underway on Thursday, but a player who didn’t make the roster deserves to be called up. On March 20th, the Blue Jays optioned Orelvis Martinez along with Jake Bloss, and Jonatan Clase to Triple-A. While Martinez showcased his offensive flair in camp, he fell short of snagging a roster spot. While he’s a potential star in the making with the power he provides with his bat, his defense still needs work. Taking the time to work on his defense, which is an area he needs to refine and develop, will help brighten his future with the team. But Martinez is deserving of a call-up if an infielder gets injured or if someone is performing poorly.
Refining His Defense
While it is likely that we will see Martinez back in the majors, if he wants to earn a full-time role, he will have to work on his defensive skillset. Last season, the top prospect missed 80 games for a PED suspension. He must focus on his range, mobility, and arm strength as an infielder. In addition, he needs to refine his positioning and footwork. As an infielder, covering sufficient ground and situating yourself for a good throwing position is important. Martinez also needs to develop his glove work, as backhand catches can be a challenge as an infielder. Lastly, making accurate throws will be important through arm strength development. In addition to participating in defensive drills, such as fielding ground balls.
Strengths of Martinez
Martinez is just 23 years old, so he has time to develop his game. With the power that he can provide at the plate, he’s been projected to hit 30 home runs. His high exit velocity contributes to his offensive spark. He provides the most power when he hits fastballs. In camp this season, he recorded a home run, three RBI, and eight hits with a .873 OPS. The fact that Martinez is also versatile, where he can play second base, third, shortstop, and first, makes him a prime candidate to call up if an infielder gets injured. If Martinez wants to excel with the power upside that he carries, he will have to work on sustaining proper plate discipline. This is especially necessary against big league pitchers.
Main Photo Credits: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
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