Blue Jays’ Orelvis Martinez Still Swings Hard But Now More In Control
Shortstop Orelvis Martinez could very easily have been set in his ways after hitting 30 home runs as a 20-year-old for Double-A New Hampshire last year.
Instead, after he and the Blue Jays examined the process behind his .203/.286/.446 batting line, they made swing decisions a focal point in Martinez’s work.
His new approach was producing better results after a slow start in his repeat of the Eastern League.
“Yeah, 30 homers is a good number, but I think I can do better than that,” Martinez said in comments interpreted by New Hampshire teammate Steward Berroa.
“I can hit 30 homers with a decent average and be in more situations to hit the ball more than just having 30 homers with a really low average. I’m always open to receive feedback and get better.”
Get better the 21-year-old has after a 7-for-79 (.089) start to the season. Early on, Martinez was making good contact but not seeing results.
In 46 games following that slump, he hit .307/.432/.621 with 13 homers and perhaps more importantly 33 walks against 32 strikeouts.
His strikeout percentage of nearly 29% a year ago had shrunk to 19%, while his walk rate climbed from 8% to 14%.
“Basically, the difference is (that) last season, I was going up there to swing hard and sometimes I got out of control,” Martinez said.
“So this year I have the same intent to swing hard, but I’ve been focused more on control—like, swing hard but more under control. That is getting better.”
Martinez split his time on the left side of the diamond, with 32 starts at shortstop and 24 at third base, where he continued to make gains.
