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Toronto Blue Jays top 10 prospects for 2019

By Benjamin Chase

Dunedin, FL - FEB 22: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) poses during the Toronto Blue Jays spring training Photo Day on February 22, 2019, at the Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Dunedin, FL - FEB 22: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) poses during the Toronto Blue Jays spring training Photo Day on February 22, 2019, at the Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Orelvis Martinez, SS

Birthday: 11/19/2001 (17)
Acquired: International free agent, July 2018
Level(s): Has not played
Statistics: Has not played

The Toronto Blue Jays signed Dominican infielder Orelvis Martinez to a $3.5 million bonus this past July. A consensus top 5 player in a fairly talented 2018-2019 international class, Martinez could immediately be a player to watch in the Jays system.

Martinez stands 6′-6’1″ and he’s listed at 180 pounds. He’s known right now for his smooth moves at shortstop, able to make everything look easy, though with a wide frame and already adding 2″ in height since he measured a year ago for the MLB showcase down in the Dominican ahead of his signing period, he’s likely to fill out enough that he will end up shifting to third base. Luckily, his plus arm should easily profile at the hot corner.

At the plate, Martinez has some mixed reviews on his pitch recognition right now, but at 17, that’s not uncommon. What is consensus is that he has lightning-quick wrists and the ability to incorporate his lower half to generate impressive power to all fields.

Martinez will likely open the 2019 season in complex ball, but some believe he could move quickly with his mature approach on the field and a quick enough bat to cover up growing pains in the box. I’d wager that will mean GCL as his opening destination, but a good showing there could land him in the Appy League by the end of the year.

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