Orelvis Martinez - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Analysis (Week 7)

PROSPECT: Orelvis Martinez, 3B/2B, Toronto Blue Jays

ERIC CROSS' LATEST PROSPECT RANKING: #7

CALL-UP ETA: May

ANALYSIS: Orelvis Martinez hit 28 home runs between Single-A and High-A as a 19-year-old in 2021, then hit another 30 home runs in 2022 at Double-A as a 20-year-old, and 28 more between Double-A and Triple-A in 2023 as a 21-year-old. The 22-year-old has continued to mash in 2024, belting eight home runs so far in 28 games for Triple-A Buffalo.

For a power hitter like Martinez you might expect excessive strikeout rates, but the right-handed hitter has palatable strikeout rates and a decent walk rate that leads to a solid OBP. While he doesn't typically hit for high average, Martinez has a .288 BA thus far in 2024, buoyed by a 15-game hit streak from early to mid-April.

Blue Jays No. 2 prospect Orelvis Martinez drills a 469-foot, go-ahead grand slam for @BuffaloBisons pic.twitter.com/yO1tm1LEwr

— Bally Live (@ballylivenow) April 18, 2024

He's done all he can to prove his bat is ready for the big leagues, now it's time to find out what it can do against major league pitching. The problem is finding him a defensive home, as he is a shortstop by trade but blocked by Bo Bichette. Martinez has received reps at third base and second base this season for Buffalo, both of which are viable options for the Jays. After a hot start, second baseman Cavan Biggio has seen his average drop from .304 in mid-April to .205 in early May. Bench bat Ernie Clement is 2-for-11 over his last nine appearances, so Martinez would be an instant upgrade over both of them.

Biggio's hot start held Martinez at bay, but with his perennial offensive futility there's no reason to keep the Dominican in the minors any longer. Look for a call-up sooner than later, probably before mid-May if the Jays don't want to fall too far from the top of the competitive AL East. Martinez is available in over 80% of Yahoo leagues for managers who want to stash him ahead of time, and he's eligible at 3B, 2B, and SS which adds to his appeal.

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