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WATCH: Orelvis Martínez hits first Blue Jays home run of Spring Training
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Photo credit: © Jonathan Dyer - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Feb 22, 2025, 14:45 ESTUpdated: Feb 22, 2025, 14:43 EST
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Toronto Blue Jays baseball is back.
On Saturday, the Blue Jays took on the New York Yankees in their first game of Spring Training. In the bottom of the fourth inning, they hit their first home run courtesy of Orelvis Martínez.
Despite the pitch being far outside the zone, the Blue Jays top power-hitting prospect got a hold of it, driving it into the opposite field for his first home run of the Spring. It came off the bat at 105.6 mph and went a distance of 390 feet. Interestingly, Martínez smashed a ground ball at 109 mph in his first plate appearance, resulting in an inning-ending double play.
The 2025 season will be a big one for Martínez. After leading the minor league system in home runs in 2021, 2022, and 2023, Martínez missed a large chunk of the 2024 season due to a suspension for PED usage.
With the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, the third baseman/second baseman slashed .267/.346/.523 with 17 home runs in 319 plate appearances. Moreover, he had an 8.5 BB% and a 23.8 K% for a 120 wRC+.His 17 home runs still ranked tied for third in the minor league system.
Martínez also got an opportunity with the big league team, appearing in a game with three plate appearances, hitting a single a few days before his suspension. The suspension came at a bad time, as the Blue Jays sold at the 2024 trade deadline and Martínez would’ve received regular opportunities with the team.
All in all, the 2025 season will be a big one for Martínez. Third base is up for grabs and if he has a good Spring Training, he could earn a shot with the team out of camp. If not, it’ll be back to the Bisons where he’ll still be able to earn a big league opportunity at some point in 2025.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
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