The 12 Days of Prospects

He ended 2021 as a Top 100 prospect, and finished 2022 as a somewhat divisive one. Orelvis Martinez has much to prove in 2023.

After a breakout 2021, Martinez was rushed somewhat to AA after only 27 games at High A. Leo Jimenez’ addition to the 40 man roster last fall forced that somewhat. Both players needed a place to play, so Orelvis was off to the higher level.

As one of the youngest players in the Eastern League, Martinez struggled, although 30 HRs aren’t bad for someone who experienced difficulties. But without a lot of protection in the lineup, and a steady diet of fastballs in, and breaking stuff on the outer half, Martinez scuffled to a .203/.286/.446 line. Orelvis hammered a fair number of mistakes:

While his chase rate was down, he struck out 29% of the time. He saw 3.7 pitches/AB this season; his pitch recognition and selectivity have to improve.

As the season progressed, Martinez did show some slightly improved pitch recognition, and the addition of Addison Barger to the New Hampshire lineup gave him some better pitches to hit, but after playing winter ball prior to the season, Martinez began to wear down as early as August.

Orelvis is not a natural, instinctive defender with the quick twitch skills of a Jimenez, but he has the athleticism and arm strength to get more reps at the position, as the Blue Jays plan to do next year. His likely future spot with be at 3rd, however.

Much was expected of Martinez this year, and while expectations fell short of the mark, he was added to the 40 himself last month. He finished 2022 on a reasonably strong point (.760 OPS in September), and we have to remember that he just turned 21 a few weeks ago. All in all, 2022 was a learning experience for Martinez. With a restful offseason, and maybe Barger and Spencer Horwitz bookending him in the Buffalo batting order to start 2023, perhaps Orelvis will regain some of his prospect lustre.

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Thanks to all who have hit the subscribe button since I made the transition from web master to newsletter writer two months ago. This has been a far more successful endeavour than I could have imagined.

2022 was a difficult year for our family, like it no doubt was for many. A death in the family, a health crisis for another member, two bouts of Covid for myself, and the loss yesterday of our dog have made this a year unlike any other in my lifetime.

2023 can’t help but be better, I hope.

In the New Year, I look forward to interviewing more folks around the Blue Jays organization as we head into spring training, and I hope to be having a number of in-person looks at a couple of Blue Jays affiliates.

To all of you readers and subscribers, may this holiday see you spend meaningful time with family, and I hope that for you the New Year brings you health, happiness, and lots of baseball. All the best to you all this holiday season.