Published: 4/6/2023 3:47:21 PM
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats – the Double-A affiliate for the Toronto Blue Jays – released their roster for the 2023 season ahead of their season opener Thursday.
Orlevis Martinez, the fourth-ranked prospect in the Blue Jays’ organization, headlines the team. The 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic hit 30 home runs for the Fisher Cats last season, setting the team record. He also played in 11 spring training games with Toronto this year, hitting .333 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 21 at bats.
The Blue Jays added Martinez to their 40-man roster back in November, suggesting his arrival in the big leagues could come sooner than later.
Sem Robberse, a 21-year-old left-handed pitcher from the Netherlands, will start on Opening Day for the Fisher Cats on Thursday. He made five starts in Double-A last season, posting a 3.65 ERA, 19 strikeouts and 19 hits in 24.2 innings pitched. Robberse is the seventh-ranked prospect in Toronto’s farm system, according to MLB Pipeline.
New Hampshire also adds Leo Jimenez and Damiano Palmegiani to the team. Jimenez had 23 extra-base hits and 40 RBIs in 2022 with the Vancouver Canadians, Toronto’s High-A affiliate, while Palmegiani had 24 home runs between Vancouver and the Dunedin Blue Jays (Single-A) last season.
The Fisher Cats finished the 2022 season 59-79, in fifth place out of six in the Eastern League’s Northeast Division. Their 2023 season opens on Thursday night at 6 p.m. on the road against the Altoona Curve. The home opener at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester is Tuesday, April 11 against the Portland Sea Dogs.