A top MLB prospect was just designated for assignment – can the Pittsburgh Pirates jump on the opportunity?

The Toronto Blue Jays just may be playing a dangerous game. 

Second base prospect Orelvis Martinez, a 23-year-old slugger who signed with the team as an international free agent in 2018 was just designated for assignment.

Martinez continues to navigate his way through the pros, and with an initially promising start to his career, it suddenly became awfully murky. 

Heading into the 2024 season, Martinez was a consensus top-100 prospect, with a path to being a dominant power hitter in the big leagues. And his work in the minors was starting to catch the eye of Blue Jays brass.

He hit .267, while crushing 17 home runs in Triple-A, and from there, it only seemed like a matter of when, not if, that he was going to play in the big leagues.

That prophecy was fulfilled on June 21, 2024, where Martinez was called up to the Blue Jays, and was slotted in for a game against the Cleveland Guardians. Martinez did well in his Major League debut, going 1-for-3 with a single, but ultimately, the Jays fell to Cleveland by the score of 7-1.

Nevertheless, it was the start of a promising career for a player that Toronto was banking on being a building block to the future of the organization.

Guess again.

In an unexpected twist just two days after his professional debut, Martinez was slapped with a PED suspension for 80 games. And since then, we haven’t seen him take the professional stage again.

He’s currently playing for Triple-A Buffalo, batting a woeful .176 and just 13 home runs.

But in the seven-day period where a player gets DFA’d, any team can put a claim in for him. And for the Pirates, it’s a no-lose situation for them.

Their current second baseman is former top-10 draft pick, Nick Gonzales has had a fine season at the plate, but where he thrives is on the field, ranking in the 79th percentile in Range.

However, what can possibly work for the Buccos is that Gonzales can play shortstop if need be. Current Pirates shortstop, Jared Triolo has been horrendous at the plate. He holds value on the field and as a baserunner, but it wouldn't hurt to use him in a sporadic fashion rather than an everyday player.

Martinez has the option the revive his career in a situation where there will be no pressure.

Pittsburgh hasn’t had a winning season since 2018, and has only won two playoff games since 1992. They can afford to give the youngster a shot to revive his career.