Orelvis Martinez

Orelvis Martinez

22-Year-Old ShortstopSS
Toronto Blue Jays
2024 Fantasy Outlook
A high-pedigree international signee in 2018, Martinez has had plus game power since his pro debut, but swing-and-miss concerns always accompanied the loud pop. From May 10 on, Martinez hit .276/.374/.545 with 24 home runs, a 13.6 BB% and a 23.6 K% in 103 games while splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A. He used to have such a poor hit tool that Joey Gallo with less power and a lower OBP was a valid comp, but Martinez showed significant improvements in his age-21 season. He will always be a power-over-hit third baseman, but it's possible he could hit .230 or better and not sink your batting average. Barring an offseason addition, Toronto's organizational depth chart suggests that Martinez is the long-term third baseman. He turned 22 this offseason and has minor-league options remaining, but Martinez could get a look this summer if he's swinging a hot bat. Read Past Outlooks
RANKSFrom Preseason
#595
ADP
$Signed a one-year contract with the Blue Jays in March of 2023.
Could be nearing promotion
SSToronto Blue Jays  AAA
April 18, 2024
Martinez crushed a 10th-inning grand slam Wednesday to give Triple-A Buffalo a 12-9 win over Columbus.
ANALYSIS
The ball traveled an estimated 469 feet and left Huntington Park completely, landing onto a second-floor patio in a building behind the left-field bleachers. Martinez has had a strong start to the season, slashing .296/.356/.519 over 14 games with six doubles, two homers and 10 RBI, and his 20.3 percent strikeout rate is a significant step forward from the 27.0 percent mark he posted with Buffalo in 2023. The Blue Jays have used four different players at second base already this season, rotating Cavan Biggio, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Davis Schneider and Ernie Clement through the keystone, but none of them offer the upside of the 22-year-old Martinez. If the front office deems him ready for the next challenge, his big-league debut could come at any time, but his bat may not be the thing holding him back -- Martinez has committed five errors already this season in his 13 starts at second base.
Read More News
Batting Stats
Loading Batting Stats...
Minor League Game Log
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Loading Minor League Batting Game Log...
Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Batting Stats
Loading Advanced Batting Stats...
Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
Loading Games Played by Position...
Loading MLB Defensive Stats...
Batted Ball Stats
Loading Batted Ball Stats...
Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
Want more matchup stats?
Loading Matchup Stats...
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Subscribe Now
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Orelvis Martinez See More
Which Top-100 Prospects Will Reach The Majors This Year?
43 days ago
James Anderson breaks down which top-100 prospects will reach the majors this year and when we will see them, including Rangers phenom Wyatt Langford.
Collette Calls: My AL LABR Review
44 days ago
Defending AL LABR champion Jason Collette shares the thought process behind the squad he hopes will lead him to back-to-back victories.
Spring Training Job Battles: AL East
59 days ago
Ryan Boyer breaks down every job that's up for grabs in the AL East this spring, including a pair of spots in the Orioles' infield.
Farm Futures: Rookie Hitter Rankings 2.0
72 days ago
James Anderson releases volume 2.0 of his rookie hitter tiers for 2024 fantasy value only, in which Reds third baseman Noelvi Marte remains in the top spot.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Chance for MLB debut soon?
SSToronto Blue Jays  AAA
August 30, 2023
Martinez could be in the mix to be called up by the Blue Jays in September, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, though fellow prospect Spencer Horwitz may be more likely to be promoted as a bench bat.
ANALYSIS
Martinez is Toronto's best position player prospect and has an .845 OPS in 33 games since being promoted to Triple-A Buffalo in mid-July. The 21-year-old has hit 23 home runs between the Double-A and Triple-A levels this season after he hit at least 28 long balls in each of his first two full minor-league campaigns. Playing time for Martinez is unlikely to be consistent if promoted, though Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette being on the injured list with finger and quad injuries, respectively, could create a path to a semi-regular role, especially with the big-league roster expanding to 28 players Friday.
See All MLB Rumors
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
2019
For fantasy, Martinez may end up being a one-tool player, but it's a pretty special tool. He has huge power, particularly to the pull side, that he is already showing off regularly in games. It's rare for teenagers to hit 15-plus home runs against full-season pitching, and Martinez hit 28 in 98 games between Low-A and High-A as a 19-year-old. He swings at the pitches he should swing at, but he also swings at many pitches he shouldn't swing at (33.6% chase rate). It's too early to say with much confidence what type of batting averages and on-base percentages Martinez will log in the majors, but he seems unlikely to be a positive contributor in batting average, given his aggressive, pull-heavy approach and current issues making contact. His defensive home is also TBD, but third base is currently seen as his most likely landing spot. Expect 30-plus homer seasons and be happy if it comes with a .245 average.
The recipient of the largest bonus ($3.51 million) in the July 2, 2018 international signing class, Martinez enjoyed success at Toronto's alternate training site in September and had a strong run during the fall instructional league. He trained in the Dominican Republic for most of the summer and joined the rest of Toronto's top prospects for the final week of scrimmages at the alternate site, where he hit one homer. Martinez went on to homer four times in the first two weeks of instructs, setting the stage for his first full-season assignment in 2021. It's all about the bat with Martinez, who has enough arm for third base, but won't be a threat stealing bases and lacks the quick-twitch actions for shortstop. His plus power is not in question, but he is so good at making contact that he can be overly aggressive early in the count. Essentially, he needs to get better at waiting for his pitch.
Martinez was not considered the best prospect in the July 2, 2018 international signing class, but he received the largest signing bonus ($3.51 million). Toronto jumped him over the Dominican Summer League and sent him straight to the Gulf Coast League -- a rare assignment for a 17-year-old's pro debut. He proved to be up to the challenge, ranking ninth in the league in wRC+ (150) while demonstrating a good understanding of the strike zone (8.6 BB%, 17.8 K%). Six of his seven home runs came over his final 15 games. He has played shortstop but projects to end up at third base long term, as he should continue to fill out his 6-foot-1, 188-pound frame. Martinez won't contribute with his legs, but he could be a four-category force if he reaches his ceiling. He was way too pull-heavy (60.9 Pull%) in his debut, but that's the only clear flaw in the profile. Look for him to spend most of 2020 at Low-A.
Toronto coughed up $3.51 million to secure Martinez's rights -- the top signing bonus for international free agents who signed on July 2, 2018. He really impressed in instructs and now seems like the No. 2 dynasty-league target from that class, behind Marco Luciano of the Giants. It's easy to see why Martinez projects to offer plus power down the road -- the ball jumps off his bat and he is already very adept at lofting the ball. It is unclear how high his batting average will be, but it is possible he could also develop a plus hit tool. A shortstop from the Dominican Republic, Martinez is roughly 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, and could end up growing into a prototypical third baseman's body. Martinez will not be a threat on the bases, so his fantasy value will be tied to his power and batting average. The Blue Jays' top 2017 international signee (Eric Pardinho) was aggressively assigned to the Appy League, and Martinez could follow suit if he impresses this spring.
More Fantasy News
Sent to minor-league camp
SSToronto Blue Jays  AAA
March 12, 2024
The Blue Jays optioned Martinez to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jumps to Triple-A
SSToronto Blue Jays  AAA
July 17, 2023
Martinez was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Optioned to minor-league camp
SSToronto Blue Jays  AAA
March 13, 2023
Martinez was optioned to minor-league camp by the Blue Jays on Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Shielded from Rule 5 draft
SSToronto Blue Jays  AAA
November 15, 2022
Martinez was added to the Blue Jays' 40-man roster Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Goes yard twice Sunday
SSToronto Blue Jays  AAA
July 25, 2022
Martinez went 3-for-4 with two homers, four RBI and an additional run scored for Double-A New Hampshire on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.