Baseball America releases Top 10 Blue Jays Prospects list for preseason 2024

No. 2 - INF Orelvis Martinez

2023 stats (two MiLB levels): 125 G, 109 H, 70 R, 25 2B, 28 HR, 94 RBI, .243/.340/.496/.835

Scouting Grades: Hit - 45 | Power - 60 | Run - 45 | Fielding - 45 | Arm - 60

Martinez, 22, was putting together a strange season early on in 2023 when quite literally his only hits were home runs. He was striking out a ton and failing to reach base in any way that didn't involve hitting the ball over the fence. In April, he recorded five hits, three of them were home runs. In May, he had 21 hits with 11 leaving the yard.

In-season adjustments helped Martinez turn his season around and eventually earn a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo, where he should start the upcoming season. He's a big time power bat that will continue to hit bombs as he matures, but he's also shown some promising signs in his patience at the plate. By the time the season came to a close, he was no longer a "swing at everything" type of hitter and many in the organization took note of the work he put in throughout the year.

On defense, Martinez can play all over the infield but projects as either a so-so third baseman or bat-first second baseman, similar to Schneider. It also would not be surprising to see him end up at first base down the line, but it's clear by now that his bat is what's going to be his calling card.