4 Blue Jays prospects with the most to gain in 2024

Orelvis Martinez

Orelvis Martinez had quite the unorthodox minor league season in 2023. He began the year in a tremendous hitting slump with Double-A New Hampshire, batting below .100 for the entire month of April. However, the oddity was the fact that when he did connect for the rare hit, it would usually end up as a home run. His all-or-nothing hitting approach was eventually adjusted and worked on with his coaches as he proceeded to turn his season completely around in the following months.

By sacrificing some of his power to focus more on contact at the plate, Martinez saw great progression in his hitting. His batting average ended up climbing drastically while maintaining solid run production at the same time. His impressive turnaround also earned him a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo near the end of the season where he continued his success right to year’s end.

Overall, across two minor league levels, Martinez raised his average back up to a respectable .243 with an .835 OPS, along with 70 runs scored, 25 doubles, 28 home runs, a career-high 94 RBI and 67 walks.

Martinez will no doubt start the 2024 season (at the bare minimum) in Buffalo. Pending on the Jays’ ability to find a solution to their vacant third base position, Martinez could find his way to the majors pretty soon if Matt Chapman doesn’t re-sign or external options become non-existent. But even if third base does become filled, with the most potent bat currently in the Jays’ system, he would certainly get an extended look with a callup to the big leagues should the Jays’ offence struggle once again in 2024.