Orelvis Martinez earns International League Player of the Week honour

Orelvis Martinez is headed for a remarkable conclusion to an already impressive 2023 campaign.

The Toronto Blue Jays’ No. 2 top prospect – per MLB Pipeline – was recognized as the International League’s Player of the Week as the top-performing position player at triple-A for September 12-17. It is Martinez’s first Player of the Week honour of the season.

Martinez caught fire this past week, recording at least one hit in all six contests while going 9-for-25 (.360 AVG) with three home runs, nine RBIs and four walks. He also recorded his second stolen base of 2023.

The 21-year-old endured a brutal start to the year, struggling to a .104/.162/.313 slash line with four home runs, 15 RBIs, a 0.31 walk-to-strikeout ratio and a 21 wRC+ across his first 18 games with double-A New Hampshire. But he responded over the next 54, excelling to a .274/.397/.570 clip with 14 home runs, 36 RBIs, a 0.82 BB-K ratio and 154 wRC+ – resulting in a triple-A promotion in July.

Despite an initial adjustment period, Martinez has been up for the challenge of facing improved pitching, as he’s blasted 11 home runs while posting 42 RBIs, a .273/.347/.540 slash line and a 114 wRC+ in 49 contests with the Buffalo Bisons. He has, however, seen his strikeout rate climb (27.2%, up 6.7% from double-A) at the highest level of the minors.

Nevertheless, with only one week remaining in the triple-A schedule, Martinez is just two round-trippers shy of reaching the 30 mark for the second consecutive season.