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Orelvis Martinez of the Blue Jays set to make MLB debut against the Guardians
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    Orelvis Martinez of the Blue Jays set to make MLB debut against the Guardians

    After sitting on the bench for his first two games with the Toronto Blue Jays, Orelvis Martinez will get his chance to play on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians.

    Martinez, 22, will play second base and bat eighth in the series opener at Progressive Field.

    The Dominican native is tied for second in the International League with 16 home runs in 63 games for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons this year.

    Thirty-six of his starts have come at second base for Buffalo this year.

    The Blue Jays, of course, have been woeful in the power department this year, so they’re hopeful Martinez can give them a boost.

    Appearing on Blair & Barker on Friday, manager John Schneider said he expects Martinez to play at least a couple of times in the weekend series against Cleveland.

    “Off the bat, it comes off hard, it comes off different,” Schneider said of Martinez’s strength. “Big leg kick. I think he has the ability to adjust to fastballs in multiple spots in the zone. That’s something we talk about with a lot of our minor-league hitters. He can definitely hit the fastball.

    “What’s been his area of focus is just strike-zone command. When he’s swinging at pitches in the zone, it reminds a lot of people of a guy like Vlad (Guerrero Jr.). You don’t want to really compare, they’re different. But i think the way he can impact the baseball is something that’s hard to replicate.”

    Fellow recent call-up Addison Barger will play third base and Yariel Rodriguez makes his first start since going on the injured list in April.

    Watch the Jays-Guardians game on Friday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+.

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    Highly-touted prospect Orelvis Martinez is set to make his Major League Baseball debut for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Cleveland Guardians. The 20-year-old infielder has been turning heads in the minor leagues with his impressive hitting and defensive skills, and fans are eager to see what he can do at the highest level of the sport.

    Martinez, who hails from the Dominican Republic, was signed by the Blue Jays as an international free agent in 2018. Since then, he has quickly risen through the ranks of the team’s farm system, showcasing his raw talent and potential along the way. In 2021, he played for the Blue Jays’ High-A and Double-A affiliates, where he batted .275 with 28 home runs and 85 RBIs in 118 games.

    Known for his powerful swing and ability to drive the ball to all fields, Martinez has drawn comparisons to some of the game’s top sluggers. His quick hands and strong wrists allow him to generate impressive bat speed, while his keen eye at the plate helps him draw walks and get on base consistently.

    Defensively, Martinez has shown versatility in the infield, with the ability to play both shortstop and third base. His strong arm and quick reflexes make him a reliable defender, capable of making difficult plays look routine.

    With injuries plaguing the Blue Jays’ lineup, Martinez has been called up to provide a spark and help bolster the team’s offense. While there may be some nerves as he prepares for his debut, Martinez’s confidence and work ethic have impressed coaches and teammates alike.

    As he takes the field against the Guardians, all eyes will be on Martinez to see if he can live up to the hype and make an immediate impact for the Blue Jays. Whether he can handle the pressure of playing in the big leagues remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain – Orelvis Martinez is a name that baseball fans will be hearing a lot more of in the years to come.