Nationals Orelvis Martinez Agree To Minor League Dea

The Nationals and former top prospect have agreed to a minor league deal thatll carry into the 2026 season, Andrew Golden of the Washington Post. Martinez was designated for a signment by the Blue Jays and subsequently released earlier in the month. Still just 23 years old (24 in November), Martinez ranked among the sports top-100 prospects at Baseball America for four years from 2021-24. The slugging infielder posted huge numbers, belting a combined 86 home runs in 1481 plate appearances from 2021-23. His defensive home was always something of a question mark hes spent time at shortstop, third base and second base but Martinezs plus power and consistent production seemed to be setting the stage for a po sible long-term role in the Mike Moustakas Jersey Toronto infield. Things changed dramatically early in 2024, however, when Martinez received an 80-game ban for PED usage. He hit well down the stretch in a small sample after returning late last season in Triple-A (.304/.360/.522 in 50 plate appearances), but the 2025 season has been a disaster. Martinez spent the entire season in Triple-A this year and looked like a shell of his former self. In 99 games, he took 394 plate appearances and mustered only a .176/.288/.348 batting line (73 wRC+). His 28.4% strikeout rate tied the highest mark of his career, and he averaged just 86.8 mph off the bat with a tepid 36.8% hard-hit rate. Though the Jays had given him plenty of run at shortstop and third base earlier in his career, he slid further down the defensive spectrum in 25 and spent the vast majority of his time at second base (79 games) and designated hitter (14) with only a handful of appearances at the hot corner. The Nats will provide Martinez with a fresh start next season. Hes a lottery ticket for Washington, but theres no harm in bringing him aboard on a non-guaranteed deal to see what he looks like next spring. The Nats have at second base, but hes a non-tender candidate this offseason. Former first-rounder made his big league debut at the hot corner in 2025 but has yet to establish himself as a firm option there. Martinezs shortstop days are seemingly behind him, but the Nats have entrenched there anyhow. Martinez will compete for an opportunity next spring, and if he doesnt break camp with the club hell head to Triple-A Rochester and give Washington some additional infield depth. C.j. Cron Jersey