Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – As the 2024 baseball season nears, Virginia Tech third baseman Carson DeMartini has been steadily tabbed for his talent and grit on the diamond. The junior from Virginia Beach, Virginia, was praised as D1Baseball's No. 3 third baseman in the outlet's 2024 Preseason Player Rankings, has garnered 2024 Preseason All-American consideration from three leading outlets (D1Baseball, NCBWA, Perfect Game) and ranks as the No. 43 overall prospect for the 2024 MLB Draft per mlb.com.
"It's the body of work that I put in," DeMartini said. "I've been working at this game since I was two years old. It's something that I've always done well. I've always worked my butt off at it."
During his sophomore 2023 season, DeMartini started 52 games, batted .323, had an on-base percentage of .455 and boasted a .947 fielding percentage at third base. After sustaining a mid-season injury that kept him from playing the field, he transitioned into the role of the Hokies' designated hitter, hitting triples during each of his next two games in the heart of Tech's lineup.
Back at full health in 2024, DeMartini has added a new role to his repertoire, one he has not truly held with the Hokies until now – leadership. This offseason, Tech welcomed 24 newcomers and 13 true freshmen, leaving many new faces to integrate into the clubhouse.
"I think I'm one of the leaders on the team," DeMartini said. "I think that's fair to say. I feel like I've earned that role, both vocally and by how I carry myself. Throughout [my] years it has built [up], and this year is the climax of that role."
DeMartini is now a seasoned veteran with the Hokies, having started all but two of the team's 112 games since arriving as a freshman in 2022. As a rookie, he slugged .659 on Tech's 2022 NCAA Blacksburg Super Regional team, hammering 15 home runs while totaling 50 RBIs.
This season, DeMartini anchors the infield alongside a core group of returners who are poised to lead the Hokies to the program's first Men's College World Series appearance.
"I think it's huge having returning guys in every spot on the infield," DeMartini said. "We all know what to expect with the season. It's a lot. The game moves fast and it's tough to worry about everything else and still play well. I think we're able to loosen [the newcomers] up a little bit and in turn, they are able to have a better season."
Attitude and skill form the foundation to any third baseman, especially in DeMartini's case. His day-in, day-out demeanor helps him emerge as a player who can lead this 2024 team and he is prepared to do so.
Virginia Tech baseball begins its 2024 campaign on Friday, Feb. 16, at Charlotte. Following a midweek away game at James Madison on Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Hokies will debut at English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park on Friday, Feb. 23, against Rhode Island.