Blue Jays: Prospects that are at risk of being selected in the Rule 5 Draft

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 19: Orelvis Martinez #79 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs the bases after hitting a solo homerun in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in a Spring Training game at BayCare Ballpark on March 19, 2022 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 19: Orelvis Martinez #79 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs the bases after hitting a solo homerun in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in a Spring Training game at BayCare Ballpark on March 19, 2022 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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LAKELAND, FLORIDA – MARCH 19: Orelvis Martinez #95 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on prior to the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers during a spring training game at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 19, 2021 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Orelvis Martinez – SS/3B

As I mentioned earlier, there are only two players that I would consider locks to make the 40-man roster this offseason: RHP Yosver Zulueta and infielder Orelvis Martinez.

Martinez, the Blue Jays’ #2 overall prospect and the top-ranked position player, spent all season in AA and showcased his power, belting 30 home runs on the season with 76 RBI. He finished the season with a .203/.286/.446 slash line with a .732 OPS and a 28.5 K%, which is an element of his game that will need to be improved upon over the next season.

His 30 homers set a single-season record for the Fisher Cats as well, finishing second overall in the Eastern League and just one behind Quincy Nieporte on the Erie SeaWolves. On the diamond, Martinez started 60 games at shortstop and 43 games at third base, authoring .937 and .948 fielding percentages respectively with 18 combined errors on the year.

Related Story. Martinez breaks Fisher Cats single-season home run record. light

Martinez’s bat is his calling card and given his frame and athletic ability, he will likely end up at third base in the foreseeable future, which could bode well for both him and the Blue Jays with Matt Chapman eligible for free agency following next season.

I don’t suspect Martinez will be left off the 40-man roster, and if he is, there are certainly going to be a few different teams that will try and find a way to stash him on an active roster and use him as DH for the year.