Orelvis Martinez opening eyes and turning heads in Spring Training.
Photo credit: https://www.tsn.ca/mlb
Toronto Blue Jays infielder and designated hitter Orelvis Martinez has been impressing early and often so far in spring training. Hopefully the can keep it up in the make or break spring of 2025.
Orelvis Martinez will be batting fifth in the lineup against Gerrit Cole and the Yankees tonight at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
Nothing would please the Blue Jays and their fans if he can keep up the momentum he has built so far this spring.
While Spring Training is just getting underway, Martinez is putting in early work to get recognized out of the gate.
He has already found himself suiting up in four games and has seven at-bats under his belt. He has collected three hits - two of which were for extra bases - as well as two walks and three RBIs.
The home run was a towering solo shot to right field, clearing the fence at TD Ballpark for a total of 390 feet.
This is his fifth spring where he has seen action with the big league club but this time around, the stakes are that much higher. It's easy to forget that the Dominican product is just 23 years old, especially since he has been in the farm system since signing as an international free agent when he was 16, but this is a big year for the slugger.
Not only is his option clock ticking because he is on the 40-man roster, but the Blue Jays have space on their roster to carry a power bat like Martinez this season.
After missing a good chunk of last year's campaign due to his PED suspension, not only is he looking to prove that is power is no fluke, Martinez is also looking to make up on missing so much action towards the back half of the season, which would have easily seen him on the big league squad after the club traded away numerous expiring contracts at the deadline.
The biggest test for Martinez will be watching the strikeouts, as the prospect has struggled with chasing pitches at times and has seen his K% sit comfortably above the 20% mark for almost all of his professional career, ranking as high as 28.5% back in 2022 when he spent 118 games in double-A New Hampshire.
He will also need to work on his defensive metrics, as his fielding ability at the hot corner is behind MLB ready for the most part and there isn't a lot of playing time to be had at second base this time around, but the club could find a way to get his bat into the lineup via the DH spot.
Previously on Blue Jays Central
POLL |
FEVRIER 28 | 145 ANSWERS Orelvis Martinez opening eyes and turning heads in Spring Training. Do you think Orelvis Martinez will be in the Blue Jays starting lineup come opening day? |
|
|
|
|
7 hours ago | By Dan McPeake Update on Ernie Clement's injury |
|
9 hours ago | By Dan McPeake Blue Jays make first round of roster cuts |
|
11 hours ago | By Dan McPeake Game recap: Blue Jays offensive explosion continues |
|
12 hours ago | By Dan McPeake Blue Jays' top offensive performers will probably surprise you |
|
15 hours ago | By Nelson Anderson Daulton Varsho building up for Blue Jays' opening day return. |
|
16 hours ago | By Nelson Anderson Jeff Hoffman on an evolving Blue Jays' bullpen, Spring Training facilities |
|
17 hours ago | By Nelson Anderson What is going on with Yariel Rodriguez? |
|
18 hours ago | By Nelson Anderson Blue Jays' Max Scherzer remains focused and leads by example in Spring Training |