| Player: Carson DeMartini | |||||||||||
| Org: Philadelphia Phillies | Highest Level: Double A | Position(s): 3B | |||||||||
| Height: 6′ | Weight: 197 lbs. | Bats: Left | Throws: Right | ||||||||
| Summary: The offensive profile has shifted in a meaningful way since signing. DeMartini’s college résumé at Virginia Tech was built on power, capped by a 21-homer return season after labrum surgery, but the early pro look has leaned more toward contact and control. Ditching the leg kick for a toe tap tightened his timing and body control, and the ball started coming off his bat with more consistency in-zone. He showed a noticeable willingness to use the opposite field, cut chase against spin, and finish at-bats without selling out for damage. The power didn’t disappear, but the approach became more adaptable, giving him a chance to access it more selectively rather than living in a boom-or-bust lane. That adjustment has introduced some tension into the projection. The strikeout spike in his draft year raised hit-tool questions, but the in-season gains in pro ball—particularly improved in-zone contact—suggest there’s more feel here than the college swing-and-miss rates implied. The current version looks closer to a hit-first profile with emerging power, which puts pressure on the bat if the impact doesn’t rebound to previous levels. The encouraging sign is how quickly he absorbed instruction and translated it into game action, pointing to an offensive foundation that can still support above-average damage if the timing gains hold and the bat speed continues to show up. Defensively, the outlook is steadier than expected. A former shortstop, he has looked comfortable at third base in pro ball and high marks for his hands, reactions, and overall reliability. The actions are clean enough to project as an average defender at the hot corner, with some flexibility to slide across the infield if needed. That defensive competence matters for the profile: paired with a refined offensive approach and a track record of real power, it gives him a clearer path to everyday value. If the impact ticks back up as the adjustments settle, he has a chance to outplay a bench-only projection and settle in as a bat-driven regular rather than a corner depth piece. | |||||||||||
Shaun Kernahan is the founder and lead writer of Three Quarter Slot, where he blends scouting precision with a storyteller’s eye for the human side of the game. Based in Parker, Colorado, he has covered baseball prospects at every level since 2013, delivering in-depth evaluations, draft analysis, and developmental insight. Over the years, he has built Three Quarter Slot into a trusted home for thoughtful prospect coverage, detailed scouting reports, and a grounded look at how talent evolves
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