Nationals ink talented former Top 100 prospect to minor league deal

"On Friday night, the Washington Nationals came up just a little bit short in what might have been their wildest game of the 2025 season so far. With only 2 games left to play in this nightmare campaign, all attention will now shift to the departure of legendary Nationals broadcaster Bob Carpenter, before fully embracing the future and beyond by looking ahead to the 2026 season."

"Part of that future equation has already been decided, as the team hired a new President of Baseball Operations earlier this week in Paul Toboni. He is expected to spearhead the organization beginning in just a few days, and it will be interesting to see how he decides to address his hire for General Manager to work alongside him before filling out a coaching staff."

"However, interim GM Mike DeBartolo is still at the helm for at least the next few days, and he just made a really interesting signing that has the potential to be a true lottery ticket if it pans out. After being designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays earlier in the week, the Nationals signed infielder Orelvis Martinez to a minor league deal for next season."

The Nationals lost a dramatic Friday night game, leaving two games remaining in a difficult 2025 campaign. Legendary broadcaster Bob Carpenter will depart, and attention is shifting to the 2026 season. Paul Toboni was hired as President of Baseball Operations and will begin leading the organization in a few days. Interim GM Mike DeBartolo signed infielder Orelvis Martinez to a minor-league deal after Martinez was designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays. Martinez is a former Top 100 prospect, age 23 turning 24 next season, with prior rankings at #75 (2022), #90 (pre-2024 Baseball America) and #89 (pre-2024 MLB Pipeline). A 2024 suspension for PEDs, later described by Martinez as related to fertility treatment, harmed his prospect momentum and his performance since returning has been poor. The signing is a low-cost lottery ticket with upside if Martinez regains form while Toboni and forthcoming front-office hires shape the roster and coaching staff.

Read at District on Deck