Washington Nationals finding out what Toronto Blue Jays already knew about prospect Orlevis Martinez

According to the team's transaction log on Saturday, Orelvis Martinez has been released after a brief stint with the organization.

The infielder had signed a minor league deal earlier this year, but was reassigned to minor league camp prior to the move.

Despite the release, Martinez performed well in his limited Spring Training action. In 11 plate appearances, he posted a .400/.455/.400 slash line without hitting a home run, good for a 129 wRC+.

While it was a small sample, his production suggests he could still draw interest elsewhere.

Given his age and raw power, it seems likely the 24-year-old will catch on with another organization on a minor league contract.

A native of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, he originally signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as a highly regarded international free agent in 2018.

His prospect stock rose quickly, highlighted by a 30-home run season in 2022 with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats-a franchise record.

By the end of 2023, he had advanced to Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons.

Heading into 2024, Martinez was ranked as the Blue Jays' No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline and appeared on the verge of establishing himself in the majors.

He earned that opportunity in June of 2024, batting .260/.343/.523 with 16 home runs over 269 plate appearances before being called up.

Martinez made his MLB debut on June 18 against the Cleveland Guardians, going 1-for-3.

Just two days later, however, his momentum was halted. Martinez received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for clomiphene, which he later said he had taken for fertility-related reasons.

Although he returned late in the season and performed well again with Triple-A Buffalo, the Blue Jays' 74-88 finish limited his chances to secure extended playing time in the majors.

His struggles continued into 2025, where he posted a .176/.288/.348 line with 13 home runs across 394 plate appearances, resulting in a 74 wRC+.

That downturn ultimately led to him being designated for assignment and later released by Toronto.

Now a free agent once again, Martinez will look to reset and rediscover the form that once made him one of the organization's most promising young hitters.

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