BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues
CALL-UP ETA: June
ANALYSIS: We've been beating this drum for more than a few weeks now but haven't been able to talk it into existence. Then Orelvis Martinez went cold and didn't help the cause. But on Thursday, Martinez's bat yelled "I'm back, baby!" Well, kind of. The 22-year-old went 2-for-2 with a walk and four RBI. One hit went for a double and the other was his 12th home run of the year. This came a day after he struck out four times, however, but so goes the season of a power hitter.
Home run No. 12 for Orelvis Martinez!
MLB's No. 70 prospect (@BlueJays) now has two jacks in the past three games for the @BuffaloBisons. pic.twitter.com/DIOyHecdrc
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 23, 2024
To begin the season, Martinez collected at least one hit in 19 of his first 21 games (.325 BA), including a 15-game hit streak. From May 8 to May 19, however, the slugger went through a horrendous slump, going 1-for-33 (.030) and putting his chances of a call-up on ice. Over the last three games though, the Dominican is 3-for-9 with a double and two home runs. The golden sombrero he wore in Wednesday's game is concerning, but despite the four strikeouts, his season K% is 22.6% which is an improvement over the 26.8% he had at Triple-A last season.
Regardless of what he does on offense, it seems what is truly holding him back is the defense. The Jays have been getting him reps at second base, but Martinez has committed 11 errors there in 29 games this season. Still, why not put him at DH? Justin Turner held it down for Toronto to begin the season, but the 39-year-old has gone 2-for-33 since May 8, which is not what you need from someone whose sole job is to hit.
So if this is the beginning of a new hot stretch for Martinez, it could be the final push needed to get him to the bigs. He's available in 85% of Yahoo leagues and eligible at 2B, 3B, and SS, making him all that more appealing for fantasy. Managers in need of some power and with an available roster spot should stash him ahead of time, but know that he may not get the call until sometime in June.
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