Anthony Martinez, a lightly recruited first baseman from the California high school circuit, received just four collegiate offers. Ultimately, he chose UC Irvine, drawn by a strong connection with the coaching staff and confidence in their player development program.
That decision has proven wise. Martinez has emerged as one of the nation’s premier first basemen, positioning himself as a likely early-round selection in the 2025 MLB draft.
Martinez is a 6-foot-3, 230-pound first baseman who stands out for his impressive blend of advanced contact skills and the power to drive the ball into the gaps with authority. He also has strong plate discipline and doesn’t chase pitches out of the strike zone.
Defensively, Martinez has made significant strides at first base over his college career, continually refining his technique and dedicating the offseason to further enhancing his fielding skills.
Learn about Martinez’s development throughout college, expectations for the 2025 season and his overall experiences in college.
You also can listen to the interview with Anthony Martinez via Spotify here.
This interview is sponsored by Nan’s Naughty and Nice cocktail mix. Make sure to check out their award-winning Bloody Mary mix and newly released margarita mixes by visiting their website.
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for 10 years. He has interviewed 580 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
