Carson DeMartini grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia and played his high school ball at Ocean Lakes High School. Scouts noted his athleticism and strong left-handed swing even then, and he was ranked as a notable shortstop prospect in the 2021 recruiting cycle. He went on to play college baseball at Virginia Tech, where he became one of the most reliable offensive contributors on the team. Over three collegiate seasons, he compiled a .311 batting average with a .435 on-base percentage and .642 slugging mark, hitting 46 home runs in 165 games and driving in 164 runs. His ability to get on base and produce extra-base hits made him a core part of the Hokies’ lineup, and he earned All-ACC recognition early in his career and was ranked among top draft prospects entering the 2024 MLB Draft. During his time at Tech he mainly played third base after being a shortstop in high school, with his bat and athletic profile hinting at future versatility.
That said, his path wasn’t totally smooth. A shoulder injury in 2023 limited him to designated hitter duty for a chunk of the season, and he underwent labrum surgery after that campaign. Coming back from that surgery, he showed plenty of power in his junior year but also saw his strikeout rate rise, which raised some questions about how his swing adjustments and physical recovery would carry over to the pros.
DeMartini was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth round of the 2024 MLB Draft with the 130th overall pick, and he signed for just over his slot value. The Phillies liked his combination of left-handed power potential and on-base skills despite some concerns about contact and swing consistency. As a college bat with a strong track record, he jumped into pro ball quickly and impressed in his debut, hitting well with the Single-A Clearwater Threshers and showing he could make quality contact with a wood bat in a professional setting.
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Minor League Performance and Stats
Since turning pro, DeMartini has worked his way through the Phillies’ system. In 2025 he split time between Low-A, High-A, and Double-A, compiling a .237 batting average with roughly a .340 on-base percentage and a .367 slugging percentage across levels, including 10 home runs, 52 RBI, and 45 stolen bases in over 500 plate appearances. That season produced a wRC+ of 109, indicating he was performing above the league average offensively despite some rough patches at the plate. His minor league career line sits at .250/.347/.386 with 12 homers and 53 steals through his early seasons.
Statcast and internal scouting grades posted on Baseball Savant label his hit tool around the 45 grade range and his power around 55, meaning average to slightly above average power but below-average contact across scouting looks. This “power-over-hit” profile shows a player who can drive the ball hard but also swings a high-effort approach that can lead to swings and misses, particularly on breaking balls or out-of-zone offerings.
From a tools perspective, DeMartini shows a solid blend of traits. He’s built compact and strong at 6 feet and near 200 pounds, swinging from the left side with good bat speed that generates extra-base authority to all fields. Scouts often describe him as having more power than a pure hitter, and he’s capable of barreling balls with high exit velocities when he connects. His chase rates and strikeout numbers have been a focus, and while he put together very high in-zone contact rates early in his pro career, he hasn’t yet fully shown consistent barrel rates at higher levels. His walk rates have been encouraging compared to his college totals, showing a developing eye at the plate even as the strikeouts are still a concern.
In terms of advanced metrics like strikeout and walk rates, he has a history of fluctuating in those areas. College numbers showed a relatively high strikeout rate that dipped in his sophomore year before climbing again, and pro scouting grades reflect that inconsistency. Still, his ability to get on base and draw walks in the minors has helped balance out some of the swing-and-miss tendencies.
Defense and Speed
Defensively, DeMartini brings versatility. He was mainly a third baseman in college, and professional scouts have slotted him there again, though the Phillies have experimented with him at second base and shortstop too. His footwork and hands are considered average with fringes toward the plus side at third base, and his arm strength fits the hot corner well. There were even early whispers that he might have shortstop chops, though long-term that seems less likely. His speed is another tool, and he’s shown base-stealing ability with 27 steals in just one season’s worth of games, suggesting he’s more than a static corner infielder.
Defensively, DeMartini fields the ball with average to slightly above average skill at third and could profile there defensively at the next level if he continues to improve his actions. Scouts have noted his glove work as a strength relative to his offensive struggles.
Injuries and Their Impact
The most significant injury in DeMartini’s career was the shoulder issue in 2023 that forced him to move to designated hitter for much of the season and then required labrum surgery. That laid-up time likely contributed to some swing changes and contact issues that surfaced in his draft year, and scouts watching him out of Virginia Tech in 2024 specifically referenced uncertainty about whether his shoulder was fully back. Since joining the pros, there’s no major report of recurring injury, though he spent brief stints on minor-league injured lists in 2025 before returning to play.
Outlook
Carson DeMartini has the makings of a potential everyday third baseman with left-handed pop, a developing approach, and tools across the board. The biggest hurdles for him remain consistent contact, reducing strikeouts against advanced pitching, and proving that his shoulder and swing can hold up through a full pro season. His defensive versatility and stolen-base ability give him some extra value, and the fact that he’s already received invitations to major league spring training tells you the Phillies see something interesting in him as he keeps climbing.
If he can tighten up his approach without sacrificing power, DeMartini could become a solid contributor. If not, he might settle into a role as a role player with standout moments rather than a star.
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