Orelvis Martinez Named Top International Prospect For Toronto Blue Jays

With the International Signing Period opening up on Wednesday, MiLB.com is looking at the best international talents in each system.
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Orelvis Martinez (13) waits for the ball at the Blue Jays Player Development Complex in 2024.
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Orelvis Martinez (13) waits for the ball at the Blue Jays Player Development Complex in 2024. / Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
In this story:

Wednesday (Jan. 15) is a big day on the baseball calendar, as it officially kicks off the 2025 International Signing Period.

Teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, will be jostling for the best talent all around the world, including Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. The Jays are reportedly in the mix for Sasaki, as they have joined the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the final three.

If Sasaki does join the Jays, he'll instantly become the best international prospect in the organization. However, for now, that honor goes to Orelvis Martinez, at least to MiLB.com.

The outlet named the best international talent in each system early this week:

It’s been an up-and-down life as a prospect for Martinez since he signed for $3.5 million in 2018, and last year’s 80-game suspension for the banned substance Clomiphene was a relative low. But at his best, the right-handed slugger shows at least plus power potential with the elite exit velocities to match. His 103 homers since 2021 rank third in the Minors over that span, and it’s that pop that will keep him in Toronto’s infield conversation in his age-23 season in 2025.

Currently, the Blue Jays figure to have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base, with Andres Gimenez at second base and Bo Bichette at shortstop. Ernie Clement and Will Wagner could vie for time at third, but perhaps Martinez can get in the mix there as well.

The Blue Jays are coming off a last-place finish in the American League East in 2024. They do not have a well-regarded farm system, so Martinez breaking out would be a very welcome thing for the organization.

Follow Fastball On SI on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball On SI coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.


Published
Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady.