August 3rd Blue Jays Minor League Recap: Martinez homers in 1st game with C’s

Starter- Reilly Hovis 5.0IP, 5H, 2R, 1BB, 2K on 74 pitches

W- Hovis (2-1, 3.77ERA)

H- Law (1), Rackoski (2), and Reyes (2)

Advanced-A

Vancouver Canadians (36-43)

Won 5 to 2

HR- Orelvis Martinez (1)

Starter- CJ Van Eyk 5.0IP, 2H, 0R, 2BB, 3K on 70 pitches

W- Van Eyk (3-5, 6.44ERA)

SV- Caracci (8)

A-Ball

Dunedin Blue Jays (34-43)

Postponed

FCL

FCL Blue Jays (13-10)

No Game

DSL

Blue Jays (7-7)

Won 8 to 4

HR- Cristian Feliz (3) and Manuel Beltre (2)

Starter- Simon 5.0IP, 4H, 2R, 2R, 0BB, 3K

W- Simon (2-1, 4.50ERA)

H- Rojas (2)

Top Performers:

• Bisons- Tyler White (1-for-3, BB, 2B)
• NH- Samad Taylor (3-for-3, 2R, BB, SB), Chavez Young (0-for-3, R, RBI, BB, 2K, 2SB), LJ Talley (2-for-5, R, RBI, K, SB), Kevin Vicuna (2-for-3, R, 3RBI), Nick Podkul (2-for-4, R, 2RBI, HR, CS), Tanner (Kirwer (2-for-2, R, 2BB)
• Vancouver- Lantigua (2-for-3, R, RBI, BB, 2B, CS), Van Eyk (see above)
• DSL- Feliz (2-for-5, 2R, 2RBI, HR, 3K), Fajardo (2-for-2, 3R, 2BB)

Player Spotlight

Today we turn our attention to Manuel Beltre.

Batting 2nd and playing 2B for the DSL Blue Jays, Toronto’s big 2021 International Free Agent signing had himself a big game. Entering the game with a .160BA, Beltre pushed his batting average to .189 with his second straight 2-hit game.

Baseball America describes Beltre as a baseball rat….with an advanced understanding of the game…..doesn’t have one tool that jumps out as plus…..pure hitting ability are promising. Lastly, BA believes “his ability and instincts could have him in the Rookie-Level GCL soon with a chance to move quickly”.

The 17-yr-old got on base in the 3rd inning with a 4 pitch walk but was thrown out at home plate attempting to score on a Yhoangel Aponte double. Manuel doubled to lead off the 6th inning and scored on a Feliz line-drive single to RF. One inning later with one out and two runners on, Manuel Beltre hit his 2nd HR of 2021 over the fence in LF. Beltre walked and stole 2B in the 9th inning but did not score as Aponte flew out to CF and Feliz struck out to end the threat.

In 13 games, Beltre owns a .189BA with a .618OPS. He’s hit one double and two HR. Beltre has 9 walks and 7 strikeouts while swiping 4 bases.

The Smith and Martinez Show

Kevin Smith played SS and batted 2nd. Smith went 0-for-3 with a run scored, a walk, and two strikeouts. Smith walked to lead off the 9th inning. He advanced to 3rd on Tyler White’s double to RF and scored Buffalo’s only run on a Christian Colon single to RF.

The 25-yr-old Smith owns a .294BA with a .976OPS. He’s collected 21 doubles, 3 triples, and 18HR while scoring 48 runs and driving 54. Kevin has also stolen 14 bases and 3CS.

Orelvis Martinez batted 3rd and manned SS in his debut with the Vancouver Canadians. In his 1st at-bat with the C’s, Martinez struck out. With three runs already crossing home plate in the 5th, Orelvis stepped to the plate with Rafael Lantigua standing at 3rd and one out. Martinez jumped on a 1-1 pitch, taking it for a ride over the fence in LF for his 1st hit with his new club.

The 19-yr-old closes his Low-A career with a .279BA with a .941OPS while collecting 22 doubles, 2 triples, 19HR. He has 68RBI, 49 runs scored, and 4SB.