Asked about Orelvis Martinez, Atkins says three things keeping him at AAA: playing every day, getting to an average level defensively at 2nd, and the benefit of player development time. Similar for Horwitz, mentions how rarely the Vogelbach role plays and value of 2B/LF reps.
GM Ross Atkins provides updates on Blue Jays’ prospects Orelvis Martinez, Ricky Tiedemann, and more
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2024, 18:30 EDTUpdated: May 18, 2024, 17:59 EDT
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins had a press conference Saturday morning.
That begs the question, what did the veteran general manager say about prospects? Well, let’s find out!
What does Orelvis Martinez need to do to get a call-up?
For the fourth time in the 2020’s, Orelvis Martinez once again leads the organization in home runs, hitting 10 of them in 165 plate appearances with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. On top of that, he’s slashing .252/.335/.517, but has cooled off drastically since his hot start.
Over his last 74 plate appearances, the 22-year-old is slashing .150/.274/.300 with three homers for a 51 wRC+. Still, his K% of 20.3% is on the low side, while his BB% of 10.8% has seen an improvement.
As for what he’ll need to do to make the big league roster, Atkins noted he needs to play every day and will need to be average defensively at second base. For context, he has 11 errors in 226 innings at the position.
He’ll be on the big league roster at some point soon, but the cold streak and the subpar defence at second means he’ll remain in Triple-A.
Spencer Horwitz needs reps at left field and second base
One player who really doesn’t need any more playing time in Triple-A is Spencer Horwitz. The 26-year-old first baseman is slashing .327/.454/.467 with two homers in 185 plate appearances, while owning a higher BB% (17.8%) than K% (15.1%).
Asked about Orelvis Martinez, Atkins says three things keeping him at AAA: playing every day, getting to an average level defensively at 2nd, and the benefit of player development time. Similar for Horwitz, mentions how rarely the Vogelbach role plays and value of 2B/LF reps.
However, the problem is as a first baseman/designated hitter, there really isn’t a place to play him on the big league roster. The everyday-first baseman spot is occupied by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., while the designated hitter role is taken by Justin Turner. The player Horwitz would be replacing is Daniel Vogelbach, who plays sparingly.
One way for Horwitz to get in the lineup is by taking reps at left field and second base. Last season, Horwitz played 24 games or 200.2 innings at left field, but has made just three starts at the position for 22 innings. For the first time in a long time, the Buffalo Bisons actually have an outfield full of pure outfielders: Nathan Lukes, Steward Berroa, Cam Eden, and Will Robertson. Not just that, but Addison Barger and Rafael Lantigua need reps out there as well.
As for second base, Horwitz has made three starts in 24 innings at the position, just one inning shy of matching his season high at the position, set last season. The 26-year-old has 83 career innings at second.
With all that being said, the Blue Jays really need his bat in the lineup, as his 15 doubles in the International League is tied for first in all of Triple-A.
Ricky Tiedemann throwing bullpens
Since his fantastic debut in the 2022 season, it’s been a rough go of things for Ricky Tiedemann. The aura of invisibility was eroded last season on top of a bicep injury, and he was hit around quite a lot in his eight innings prior to an elbow injury.
His ERA sits at 5.63, while his FIP stands at 10.51 in those eight innings, while his BB% has skyrocketed to 21.4%, and his K% dropped to 23.8% prior to landing on the Injured List. Well, the Blue Jays top prospect is throwing bullpens according to Ross Atkins.
Tiedemann throwing bullpens. Once he’s back (no timeline) should be fine to throw without innings limit, given absence Maroudis getting another opinion, should determine if surgery happening soon Votto has had a couple of illnesses in addition to ankle. “Getting closer” to AAA
It’s also noted that whenever he returns from his injury, which there is no timeline from, there won’t be an innings limit.
Landen Maroudis getting a second opinion
A few weeks ago, it was reported that right-handed pitcher Landen Maroudis was “seeking multiple opinions on his right elbow”, according to TSN’s Scott Mitchell.
This one is disappointing because he legit might’ve been the No. 2 prospect in #BlueJays system right quick with the way the stuff was jumping in pro ball, but hearing per multiple sources RHP Landen Maroudis is seeking multiple opinions on right elbow and it doesn’t sound great.
Well, Atkins noted that he’ll now be getting a second opinion to see if that surgery will come.
Tiedemann throwing bullpens. Once he’s back (no timeline) should be fine to throw without innings limit, given absence Maroudis getting another opinion, should determine if surgery happening soon Votto has had a couple of illnesses in addition to ankle. “Getting closer” to AAA
Maroudis was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, and the 19-year-old was off to a terrific start. In 10.2 innings pitched with the Dunedin Blue Jays, Maroudis had a 0.84 ERA and a 2.55 FIP along with a 31.6 K% and a 10.5 BB%. On top of that, the stuff was jumping and he was generating a ton of whiffs on all of his pitches.
Hopefully, the recovery time won’t take too long.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.
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