Better know Your Blue Jay 40-Man:Orelvis Martinez

Orelvis Martinez is a 22-year-old (younger than I thought) infielder, an international free agent signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2018 for $3.5 million. He’s been near the top of our prospect lists ever since. Well, our prospect lists and everyone’s top 100 lists for MLB prospects. This year, he’s #90 on Baseball America’s list, #89 on MLB’s list, #95 on Baseball Prospectus, and #57 on Keith Law’s list.

Last year was a bounce-back year. He played 125 games split between New Hampshire and Buffalo, hitting .243/.340/.496 in 530 plate appearances, with 28 home runs. He had a 24% strikeout rate with a 13% walk rate.

I’ve been hoping he’ll win a spot on the Jays this year, but maybe I’m a year too early. I think it is more likely he, at least, starts the season in Buffalo. But I am torn. I think that even though he likely needs another year at Triple-A. But I also think I’d rather watch him playing for the Jays one year too early, than to watch IKF at all. I doubt IKF would be more valuable in 500 at-bats than Martinez, and even if Kiner-Falefa was more valuable this year, I think giving Orelvis a year of experience in the majors would be helpful (but then, I do not have to worry about starting his arbitration clock).

But on the side of giving him a shot in the majors, he has two option years left, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get him a look this year.

Keith Law figures he would be serviceable at short but could be very good at third. The team seems to like him at second. He would be a work-in-progress at any of the spots, but he could be a good defensive player. If it were up to me, I’d make him a third-baseman and leave him there. But then, If it were up to me, several things would be different with the team.

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