The Liga Mexicana de Béisbol(LMB) is one of the strongest summer leagues in the Caribbean, and features many former major leaguers and other young talents trying to return to the MLB system. Cuban Orlando Martínez has been one of the best hitters in the circuit, earning him another opportunity in the Minor Leagues from the Houston Astros.
The colleague Francys Romero reported this move on his social media. Orlando will join the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas franchise; he will be the fourteenth Cuban currently signed with the team from the Lone Star state. Martínez was part of the Los Angeles Angels’ farm system for six years (2018-2024) and has played at all levels except the big leagues.
With the Angels, he swatted a total of 591 hits, including 126 doubles, 18 triples, and 59 home runs. He also has 314 RBIs and another 304 runs scored in 576 games. Martínez also stole 43 bases in 68 attempts and had a .269 batting average, while also slashing.332/.423/.756 over that span.
The native of Havana was scheduled to participate in the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game set for June 28 and 29, both at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium, home of the Diablos Rojos del México. Orlando Martínez during his first season in the LMB with the Rieleros de Aguascalientes; performed impeccably at the plate, ranking among the Top Ten in several departments, including leading in homeruns, doubles, runs batted in and runs scored.