This Baltimore Orioles Prospect Rising Fast at 17 Years Old

This Baltimore Orioles prospect is an example of the franchise’s new investment in the Dominican Republic paying off.

May 14, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Baltimore Orioles cap and glove sits in dugout in the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles haven’t always been big players when it comes to international baseball. But, lately, general manager Mike Elias and the organization are stepping up their efforts in the Caribbean.

Most notably, the team unveiled a new Dominican Republic baseball academy this winter. Concurrent to that, the franchise invested heavily during the winter’s international signing period, as the Orioles handed out 16 bonuses of $100,000 or more.

The biggest went to an infielder, Emilio Sanchez, who received $1.3 million to sign. The next biggest went to an outfielder, Stiven Martinez, who received $950,000.

Martinez is the player MLB Pipeline recently identified as the player with the fastest-rising stock among the franchise’s Top 30. Right now, Martinez is No. 28.

He’s only 17 years old.

Major League teams opt to keep their young, international prospects overseas for player development and to participate in the Dominican Summer League. Martinez was no exception, as he’s played for the Orioles’ DSL team this summer. He’s put up quality numbers.

In 31 games he’s slashed .284/.414/.441/.855 with four doubles, three triples, two home runs and 24 RBI. He’s drawn 20 walks and struck out 41 times.

It’s not clear how far Martinez will rise in MLB Pipeline’s rankings. The site is releasing its overall Top 100 on Tuesday, with revised Top 30 rankings for each team to follow. Baseball America had Martinez as the franchise’s No. 20 prospect in its re-rank last week.

At 6-4 and 200 pounds, MLB Pipeline described him as a player with “raw power” who can “add strength as he matures.” He’s not expected to be MLB ready until 2029 and may fill out enough to move into a corner infield position.

The franchise’s rankings should see a shakeup after what the Orioles did at the trade deadline. While top prospect Jackson Holliday should remain at the top — as he did in Baseball America’s rankings — infielder Connor Norby will exit the rankings as he was dealt to Miami at the trade deadline, along with outfielder Kyle Stowers, for pitcher Trevor Rogers.

Holliday, along with third baseman Coby Mayo and outfielder Heston Kjerstand, will lend some familiarity to the rankings. None have accrued the service time to graduate. Mayo is in the Majors now while Kjerstand was just moved to Triple-A Norfolk’s injured list as he continues to deal with concussion symptoms.

The updated Top 30 rankings will also presumably include some of the talent the Orioles drafted in July, including first-round pick Vance Honeycutt, compensatory first-round pick Griff O'Ferrall, second-round pick Ethan Anderson and third-round pick Austin Overn.