Orelvis Martínez
| Orelvis Martínez | |
|---|---|
| Toronto Blue Jays – No. 13 | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: November 19, 2001 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
Orelvis Miguel Martínez (born November 19, 2001) is a Dominican professional baseball infielder in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
Career[edit]
Martínez signed with the Blue Jays organization as an international free agent on July 2, 2018.[1] His $3.5 million signing bonus is the second-highest signing bonus given to an international free agent in team history, just behind the $3.9 million bonus given to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2015.[2] Martínez joined the Blue Jays fall instructional camp along with Jordan Groshans and Cal Stevenson following the international signing.[3]
Martínez was assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays for the 2019 season. He appeared in 40 games and recorded a .275 batting average, a team-leading seven home runs, and 32 runs batted in (RBI).[4]
Martínez quickly climbed the ranks of the Blue Jays prospect system following the 2019 season, being touted as potentially the best prospect in a year.[5] He did not play minor-league baseball in 2020 due to the season being cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Entering the 2021 season, Martínez was ranked sixth in the Blue Jays system.[6] Martínez was optioned to the Single–A Dunedin Blue Jays to begin the season, batting a .279 batting average, 19 home runs, and 68 runs batted in, before being assigned to the High-A Vancouver Canadians on August 3, 2021.[7] He finished the season with the Canadians batting a .214 batting average, 9 home runs and 19 runs batted in.[4]
Martínez began the 2022 season with the Double–A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.[8] On August 21, Martínez broke the franchise record for most home runs in a single season by a player, breaking the record of 27 set by Chip Cannon in 2006.[9] Martínez finished the season with New Hampshire, batting with a .203 batting average, 30 home runs, and 76 runs batted in.[4] On November 15, the Blue Jays added Martínez to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[10]
Martínez began the 2023 season again in New Hampshire. On July 17, 2023, Martínez was promoted to the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons.[11] In his second Triple–A at-bat, he hit a home run to put the Bisons up 7–2.[12] In 125 games split between Buffalo and the Double–A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, he batted .243 with 28 home runs and 94 runs batted in.[4]
Entering the 2024 season, Martínez was ranked second on Major League Baseball's 2024 Top 30 Blue Jays prospects list,[13] and 87th overall on the 2024 Top 100 MLB prospects list.[14] He was optioned to Triple–A Buffalo to begin the 2024 season.[15] The beginning of the season saw him go on a 15-game hit streak with the Bisons,[16] prompting some analysts to call him up while others to let him develop in Triple–A.[17]
References[edit]
- ^ Cantlon, Kyle (July 2, 2018). "Report: Blue Jays to sign No. 4 international prospect Orelvis Martinez". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
- ^ Davidi, Shi (July 6, 2018). "Blue Jays bet big on young, gifted shortstop Orelvis Martinez". Sportsnet. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
- ^ Rosenbaum, Mike (October 1, 2018). "Martinez, Conine among Jays prospects at instructs". MLB.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Orelvis Martinez Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
- ^ Lott, John (May 26, 2020). "Orelvis Martínez leads the Blue Jays' deep pool of Latino shortstop prospects". The Athletic. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Matheson, Keegan (May 24, 2021). "Notes: Orelvis mashing in full-season debut". MLB.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Ewen, Steve (August 3, 2021). "Top Blue Jays teen prospect Orelvis Martinez promoted to Vancouver Canadians". The Province. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "Source: Blue Jays prospect Martinez to begin season in Double-A". The Sports Network. April 2, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Maun, Tyler (August 21, 2022). "Jays' Martinez sets homer record for Fisher Cats". MiLB.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Bannon, Mitch (November 15, 2022). "Blue Jays Add 4 Prospects to 40-Man Roster Ahead of Rule 5 Draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Bannon, Mitch (July 17, 2023). "Blue Jays Promote Top Hitting Prospect to Triple-A". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "Blue Jays prospect Orelvis Martinez hits homer in second triple-A at-bat". Sportsnet. July 18, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Matheson, Keegan (March 4, 2024). "Here are the Blue Jays' 2024 Top 30 prospects". MLB.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "MLB 2024 Prospect Watch". MLB.com. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ "Blue Jays' Orelvis Martinez: Sent to minor-league camp". CBS Sports. March 16, 2024.
- ^ "Blue Jays prospect Orelvis Martinez continues hot streak in triple-A". Sportsnet. April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Chisholm, Gregor (April 23, 2024). "Blue Jays fans won't like it, but red-hot Orelvis Martinez shouldn't be called up now. Here's why". Toronto Star. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
External links[edit]
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)