- Height/Weight: 6’0”, 190 lbs
- DOB: November 5, 2004
- Bats/Throws: L/R
Anthony Potestio burst onto the scene for UC San Diego as a versatile freshman in 2024, and by 2025 he had established himself as one of the Tritons’ top all-around players. In his first year, Potestio split time between the infield and outfield, hitting a team-best .318 and showing flashes of power and speed. As a sophomore, he took over the starting shortstop job and the leadoff spot in the order, elevating his game even further. Potestio started 40 games in 2025 and finished second on the team in batting average (.323) and on-base percentage (.450). He slashed .323/.450/.476 with 53 hits, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 5 homers and 30 RBIs, while also leading UCSD in walks (28) and stolen bases (9) He scored 40 runs, demonstrating his value as a table-setter who consistently finds ways to get on base and ignite the offense. Potestio’s mature approach (28 walks vs. 32 strikeouts) and balanced skill set earned him All-Big West Honorable Mention in 2025, and he carried that momentum into a strong summer with the Orleans Firebirds on the Cape. Facing elite competition, Potestio put up a .274/.424/.368 line with 9 doubles in 28 games, and he posted an even 24:24 BB/K ratio. Like Ickes, he was selected as a Cape Cod League All-Star, further cementing his status as one of the Big West’s rising stars.
A left-handed hitter listed at 6-foot and 190 pounds, Potestio has a compact, athletic build. He stands out for his bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline. In spring 2025 he reached base nearly half the time and had almost as many walks as strikeouts, an impressive feat for an underclassman. Potestio employs a line-drive, spray hitter’s approach – he’s a true slasher who uses the whole field. He isn’t up there trying to hit home runs every time; instead, he works counts, takes his walks, and jumps on pitches he can drive in the gaps. He did show some sneaky pop (five homers, including a two-homer game against CSUN in April), but his game is built more on singles, doubles, and grinding out at-bats. Defensively, Potestio’s calling card is versatility. As a freshman he played left field, second base, and third base; as a sophomore he proved he could handle shortstop on a daily basis. In Orleans, he even spent time in right field and acquitted himself well, showcasing solid athleticism and arm strength to play multiple spots. While he’s capable in the outfield, his skill set plays better on the infield dirt – and indeed, his lack of big power would be less of a concern at an infield position than it would be as a corner outfielder. On the bases, Potestio is a solid runner who stole 9 bags in 10 tries for the Tritons. He’s not an elite burner, but he has enough speed to take an extra base and can swipe a bag with good jumps, as evidenced by his excellent success rate.
Player Profile
Build: Sturdy, athletic build for a middle infielder. Listed at 6’0”, 190 lbs, Potestio has a well-proportioned frame with a strong lower half. He’s added muscle since arriving at UCSD, but still moves well. Physically, he looks like a prototypical versatile infielder – solid and compact rather than lanky.
Offensive Approach: Left-handed hitter with a patient, leadoff-style approach. Sets up with a balanced stance and minimal movement, allowing him to track pitches well. He has a keen eye – led his team in walks in 2025 – and rarely chases out of the zone. Potestio’s swing is short and designed for hard contact. He peppers line drives to all fields and is comfortable hitting the ball where it’s pitched (many of his extra-base hits are gappers the other way). He excels at working deep counts, fouling off tough pitches, and waiting for something he can handle. This approach yielded a .450 OBP in 2025 and an even higher .424 OBP on the Cape, underscoring how tough an out he is.
Bat Speed & Impact: Potestio’s bat speed is around average, and he produces more contact than raw power. When he squares a ball up, he can drive it into the gaps – he totaled 15 extra-base hits (including 5 HR) for UCSD in 2025. He has occasional pull-side pop if a pitcher makes a mistake up in the zone, as shown by his five homers and a slugging percentage near .480. However, over the long haul he projects as a gap-to-gap hitter with below-average over-the-fence power. On the Cape, his slugging dropped to .368 with no homers, reflecting that he’s not a big lift-and-separate hitter. His swing is more linear, producing hard singles and doubles rather than towering flies. Overall impact with the bat comes more from a high on-base and solid average than from slugging.
Defense & Athleticism: One of Potestio’s strengths is his defensive flexibility. Primarily an infielder by trade, he has shown he can handle shortstop – the most demanding position – adequately, displaying good instincts and an accurate arm. He’s sure-handed on routine plays and capable of turning the double play at second base as well. His range at shortstop is decent, though not exceptional; he relies on good positioning and reads. At third base (where he played some as a freshman), his quick reactions and solid arm played well. In the outfield, Potestio was a quick study – he took efficient routes and showed he can track balls in right field. He’s an athletic defender, though not a truly plus tools guy at any one spot. Scouts think he “profiles better on the dirt” because his arm and bat fit an infield role more naturally than a corner outfield spot. Overall, he’s the kind of player you can plug in at multiple positions without a drop-off, which is a valuable trait.
Base Running: Solid runner with good instincts. Potestio isn’t the fastest player on the team, but he’s an efficient base stealer and an aggressive yet smart base runner overall. He swiped 9 bases in 2025 (leading UCSD) while only getting caught once, indicating a good feel for picking his spots. He accelerates well underway and can take extra bases on hits. In game action he shows alertness – reading balls in the dirt, moving first to third on singles, etc. His straight-line speed is probably around average or a tick above, but he maximizes it with heads-up play. He won’t be a big stolen base threat at the pro level, yet he can contribute with 10-15 steals and smart base running.
Projection
Potestio is shaping up to be one of the Big West’s top juniors in 2026 and a well-rounded draft prospect. His value lies in his jack-of-all-trades skill set: he hits for average, gets on base at a high clip, has a bit of pop, can run a bit, and can play multiple positions. That kind of profile can attract pro interest, especially if he continues to perform. The biggest knock on Potestio is the lack of a loud, plus tool – as a 6’0” infielder without big power or plus-plus speed, he might project more as a utility player in pro ball. To boost his stock, he’ll look to perhaps add a tick more slugging or further prove he can stick at a premium position like shortstop. Given his excellent plate discipline and contact skills, Potestio has a high floor as a prospect – coaches know they’re getting a smart hitter who will battle every at-bat. In the pros, he could fit the mold of a versatile left-handed hitting infielder (who can fill in at multiple spots and provide quality at-bats off the bench). If his power surprises to the upside (he’s still just entering his junior year, so some growth is possible), he could even profile as an everyday second baseman or offensive-minded utility man. At worst, his approach and defensive flexibility make him a strong candidate to be drafted in the mid-to-late rounds and given a chance to rise through the minors in a Swiss-army-knife role. First, he’ll be a focal point of UCSD’s lineup in 2026, where he should continue to be a consistent on-base machine and leader. Long-term, think of a ceiling akin to a Brock Holt or Jeff McNeil style player – someone who can do a bit of everything to help a club.
| Hit | Power | Run | Field | Ovr |
| 55 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 45 |
Big West Dugout 