BUFFALO, N.Y. — Baseball is a way of life in the Dominican Republic.
Growing up in the capital Santo Domingo, Bisons infielder Orelvis Martinez fell in love with the game at a young age.
“Well, I started to play through my dad who was always playing baseball and since I was young I watched and I liked it and I continued on that path,” Martinez said in an interview with WGRZ in his native Spanish.
That path turned into a blossoming career. At the age of 16, Martinez signed a $3.5 million minor league contract with the Blue Jays.
"It was something really emotional and very happy because accomplishing your dreams at a young with the sacrifice you’ve made is something beautiful," Martinez said.
Martinez, who’s only previous trip to the US was a vacation to California, now returned to the United States, this time as a pro baseball player.
“He was young, and very raw, and had a lot to learn,” said Bisons manager Casey Candaele, who saw Martinez when he first came over in 2018.
Despite that, there was one aspect of Martinez’s game that made him a highly rated prospect back at 16, and has the Bisons and Blue Jays excited now.
“Every time I watch him go to the plate it’s like he could go deep or hit a home run. He’s going to hit something hard usually. I think that’s the special thing that he has,” Candaele said.
Martinez knows it too.
“The strongest part of my game right now? It’s my bat,” Martinez said as a smile came over his face.
And that bat has been on full display this season. The 2nd ranked prospect in the entire Blue Jays system has 10 home runs and 31 RBI this season, leading the Bisons in both categories.
"That’s consistency and work ethic," Martinez said about the key to his season so far. "Working hard gives you the consistency so that everything turns out how you want, especially the discipline.”
Discipline, and according to his manager, maturity.
“He’s 22 years old and the maturity that’s he’s using at the plate right now is beyond his years, so it’s just really nice to see the progress,” Candaele said.
If that progress continues, it could lead to a call up from the Blue Jays.
“I try to do my job, whether it be with my bat or my glove in case one day I get the chance to win with the team up there," Martinez said.
It’s a moment that would complete the journey he’s dreamed of, from Santo Domingo to the majors.
"I would feel very happy really because that’s the moment, once you sign, the next step is getting to the big leagues," Martinez said. "Once you get there, you try to do your best to establish yourself but that’s the biggest dream of any baseball player.”
A dream that Martinez is well on the way to reaching.
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