#6 – Orlando Martinez – OF International Free Agent (2018) from Havana, Cuba
Orlando Martinez was signed for $250,000 from Cuba last summer where he had hit .408 in 143 plate appearances for a Cuban 18 and under AAU team. That was enough to entice the Angels to sign Martinez and so far it looks like a very good signing.
In 87 games between 2018 and 2019 Martinez has hit .298 with a .357 OBP with six homers and 45 RBIs. Not a bad start to his professional career. Martinez was on the injured list to start the 2019 season, but has hit .280 with a homer and 10 RBIs and a .364 OBP so far in 22 games for the Sixers.
He has had 2 four-hit games so far this season. His swing is very fundamentally sound and as he continues to get used to American pitching he will only get better. He could be a good lead-off or #2 hitter one day for the Angels.
Martinez will undoubtedly be called up to Mobile sometime this season unless he goes into a major slump. He is definitely a player to keep an eye on.