Player Profile: Will Linberg – DH/1B, CSUN

Will Linberg stands in the batter's box.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 185 lbs
DOB: June 30, 2003
Bats/Throws: R/R

Will Linberg was one of the more consistent bats in CSUN’s lineup this season, appearing in 42 games with 33 starts across first base, all three outfield spots, and designated hitter.

While his long-term defensive home remains unclear, his athletic frame and improving bat give him some intrigue as a potential late-round draft follow.

Linberg slashed .322/.425/.463, a jump of over 50 points in average from the year before. He tallied 39 hits, including eight doubles, three triples, and his first collegiate home run — a three-RBI shot against Cal Poly on May 10. He also went a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts, underscoring solid athleticism and base awareness.

At the plate, Linberg shows a disciplined approach, leading the team with 22 walks against 27 strikeouts in 121 at-bats, and posting a strong .425 on-base percentage. He batted .309 in Big West play and hit .364 at home.

Physically, Linberg has an athletic 6’2″, 185 lb frame with room to add muscle, which will be essential if he’s to unlock more power at the plate. His swing is short and direct, geared for contact and line drives. At present, he profiles more as a gap-to-gap hitter than a slugger, and that could limit his upside if he’s confined to a corner role in pro ball.

Player Profile

Build: Athletic frame with proportional strength. Listed at 6’2″, 185 lbs, with room to add muscle, particularly in the upper half. Projectable body that could support added mass without sacrificing mobility.
Offensive Approach: Quiet setup with a short, direct swing path. Prioritizes contact over lift. Balanced in the box with good pitch recognition and zone discipline. Works counts and rarely expands. Shows feel for spraying line drives to all fields.
Bat Speed & Impact: Average present bat speed. Gap-to-gap hitter with flashes of pull-side authority. Limited present power, but underlying mechanics and frame suggest room for growth.
Defense & Athleticism: Defensive profile remains unsettled. Logged time at first base, corner outfield, and DH. Athletic enough to move around the field, but lacks a true home defensively.
Base Running: Heads-up runner with efficient instincts. Perfect 7-for-7 on stolen base attempts. Shows good reads and opportunistic aggression, though not a burner.

Projection

Linberg is a fringe draft prospect — a potential late-round pick or undrafted free agent who could hang around in a player development system long enough to earn a look. The hit tool and plate discipline are there, but he’ll need to add strength and impact to carry a corner profile. Potential late-round target with a patient approach and foundation for growth.

Hit	Power	Run	Field	Ovr
55	35	45	40	40

Player Profile: Colin Yeaman, SS, UC Irvine

Colin Yeaman began his college career at College of the Canyons, where he hit .417 with 13 home runs over 56 games. After transferring to UC Irvine, question marks surrounded the shoulder injury he’d battled in 2024.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 200 lbs.
Date of Birth: April 15, 2004
Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Offensive Performance

As a freshman in 2023, Yeaman immediately looked like one of the better hitters in the CCCAA, hitting in the middle of the order and playing shortstop for a College of the Canyons squad that came within one game of a state tournament bid.

He started his sophomore campaign hot, slashing .405/.494/.649, but made it just 18 games before getting sidelined by a shoulder injury on March 9th and missing the rest of the season.

Hitting Mechanics

Here’s a look at Yeaman at the plate:

Frame: Lean and long 6’2″, 200 lbs. Room for added bulk.
Stance: Slightly open setup, hands positions chest-high. Slight crouch. Spots ball pre-pitch with front shoulder.
Swing Path: Hands steady through load. Bat gets in-plane early. Circular swing finishes shoulder-high with natural lift.
Lower Half: Slight knee lift as timing mechanism. Foot lands within the box at 30-degree angle. Outstanding hip rotation.
Approach: All-fields approach, favoring the pull side. Able to lift pitches low in the zone with ease.

Yeaman’s offensive game is characterized by his solid bat-to-ball skills. Though he will occasionally get fooled by off-speed pitches, overall he shows the ability to track pitches and not chase out of the zone.

His shows an ability to drive the ball into the gaps and elevate his contact for extra-base hits. Though he lacks elite power, he understands and utilizes launch angle well, making him a well-rounded offensive threat as long as he can continue to make consistent contact.

Defensive and Position Outlook:

Yeaman’s athleticism gives him positional versatility, which he will likely need as a pro, without the elite defense required at the shortstop position. One wonders how long he’ll hold Ryan Castro off of the position at UC Irvine, and moving forward, he seems more of a Tyler Fitzgerald type – able to play shortstop in a pinch, but a likelier candidate to move around and play third base, shortstop, or even corner outfield in the pros.

Projection and Summary:

Yeaman has a well-rounded offensive skill set that should give him a chance to succeed at the pro level, though his ability to consistently make contact against elite pitching will be a key factor in his development. His approach and bat-to-ball skills have allowed him to excel thus far, and his natural ability to elevate the ball makes him a threat for extra-base hits.

While there’s some risk in how his hit tool will translate against higher-level competition, his power potential and positional versatility add to his value. If he can refine his approach and continue to adjust to better pitching, there’s a path for him to carve out a role as a productive offensive player.

	Hit	Discipline	Power	Field	Arm	Run	Ovr
Future	45	40	40	50	50	45	40

Player Profile: Jack Anker, RHP, Fresno State

The primary purpose of this blog is to evaluate Big West prospects, but every once in a while, when you’re watching a game, it’s someone from the opposing team that catches your interest. So it was when Cal State Fullerton opened their weekend series against Fresno State righthander Jack Anker.

After four very strong outings to open the 2024 season, Anker was moved to the injured list with shoulder soreness. He wouldn’t return until late May, and when he did, he clearly wasn’t the same pitcher. So far in 2025, he looks more like the guy who dominated in those four early starts.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 200 lbs.
DOB: April 4, 2004
Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Player Profile

Build: Well-proportioned, strong but lean. Long upper body.
Delivery: Abbreviated backstep leading into windup, high leg lift. Strong hip-to-shoulder separation. Efficient lower body engagement, driving down the mound with power. Minimal head movement, stable delivery. Well-balanced finish. Repeatable mechanics built for consistency and control.
Arm Action: High three-quarter slot. Medium arm circle, clean overall. No major hindrances. Repeatable and efficient.

Pitch Arsenal

In Friday night’s game against Cal State Fullerton, Anker was throwing his fastball 93-95 into the top of the seventh inning. His 101st pitch of the game was a 94mph fastball for a swinging strike.

The fastball is the highlight of a balanced four-pitch mix, along with a sharp cutter that effectively disrupts hitters’ timing. His curveball and slider provide distinct breaking options, giving him the ability to attack hitters at different planes. His fastball-cutter combination generates consistent weak contact and occasional swing-and-miss, while his breaking pitches add depth to his arsenal.

Mechanics and Deception

Anker’s mechanics are smooth and repeatable, beginning with an abbreviated backstep before transitioning into his windup, where he brings his knee to his glove. As he straightens his front leg, his right hand drops to his back knee, setting up for a strong push down the mound. Upon planting his front foot, his back elbow stays bent, and the ball remains below his shoulder.

He lands at a 45-degree angle with his plant foot, opening his hips efficiently to deliver from a high three-quarter slot. His delivery hides the ball well, making it difficult for batters to pick it up until very late. After release, his arm moves in a clean circular motion, and his fastball shows late arm-side action, adding to his deception and overall effectiveness.

Outlook for 2025

Anker’s outlook for 2025 hinges largely on his health. After a strong start to the 2024 season, shoulder soreness sidelined him for half of Fresno State’s campaign. While he showed flashes of his potential upon returning, he wasn’t quite as sharp as before the injury. Anker has the build of a durable starter, with the strength to maintain his velocity deep into outings. To solidify his standing in 2025, he’ll need to prove he can stay healthy and deliver consistent results in the Bulldogs’ rotation. His success will be closely tied to his ability to maintain his form over a full season, making health a key factor in his development moving forward.

Projection

Anker has shown flashes of being a solid starter, with plus fastball command and balanced four-pitch mix standing out as key strengths. His ability to maintain velocity deep into outings is bolstered by his strong, durable frame. The 2024 season was a bit of a setback, but if he stays healthy in 2025, Anker has the tools to be a workhorse in the rotation, with a ceiling as a mid-rotation starter.

Projection: Profiles as a potential mid-rotation starter, with his fastball command and strong breaking pitches giving him a solid foundation. His cutter and curveball provide reliable secondary options, and his overall consistency will be key to his success moving forward.

Summary

Anker projects as a high-upside starting pitcher with the potential to be a key contributor at the professional level. With another tick or two to his already-mid-90s fastball, sharp cutter, curveball, and slider give him a well-rounded four-pitch mix that keeps hitters off balance and generates both weak contact and swing-and-miss results. His clean mechanics, excellent fastball command, and ability to deceive hitters with his well-hid delivery enhance his profile as a potential mid-rotation starter.

While durability and maintaining a full-season workload are areas to watch, Anker’s strong build, repeatable mechanics, and competitive edge make him a promising arm for the 2025 MLB Draft. With continued health and refinement of his secondary offerings, he has the potential to thrive in pro ball and become a reliable starter who can handle a full season in a rotation.

	Fastball	Curveball	Slider	Command	Overall
Future	60	50	50	60	55

Player Profile: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

Tyler Bremner, in a Team USA uniform, caught in a freeze-frame after delivering a pitch.

Let’s be real. It would be impossible to write about Big West Conference prospects without bringing up a guy at the top of everyone’s draft board – not just across the Big West itself, but among the entire 2025 MLB Draft Class. And that’s UC Santa Barbara righty Tyler Bremner.

It isn’t hard to see what sets Bremner apart from his competition: He’s got premium velocity (fastball in the mid-90s, topping out at 98 mph), a solid mix of three pitches, all of them above-average or better, and a solid outing with the USA Collegiate team this summer.

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 190 lbs
DOB: April 20, 2004
Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Player Profile

Build: Long, lean frame with a high waist. Room for added strength.
Delivery: Rhythmic windup featuring a high leg lift. Displays above-average hip/shoulder separation; room for improvement. Plus extension down the mound; minimal head movement; balanced, repeatable finish.
Arm Action: High ¾ slot, hook behind, looseness present. Good deception.

Source: Baseball America on X

Pitch Arsenal

Bremner features a well-rounded three-pitch mix, relying primarily on his explosive fastball and devastating changeup, which may be the single-best graded pitch in the entire draft class. Features a sharp slider as an effective third offering. His fastball-changeup combination generates consistent swing-and-miss results, while his slider adds another weapon against right-handed hitters. Here’s a breakdown of his pitches:

Fastball (93-96, T98)

Movement/Life: Explosive ride through the zone with late run, especially when elevated.
Command: Solid control, though command within the zone is ongoing. Most effective in the upper half of the zone.
Performance: Easy velocity on the fastball, sitting mid-nineties presently but showing potential for more. Pairs exceptionally well with his changeup.

Slider (86-89)

Remarks: Late, sharp two-plane break with gyro-type shape. Swing-and-miss weapon against right-handed hitters.

Changeup (79-82)

Remarks: Double-plus pitch with exceptional depth and fade. Maintains fastball arm speed, making it difficult for hitters to pick up. Can also manipulate action for gloveside cut. 46% SwStrk% in 2024. Effective against lefties and righties.

Mechanics and Deception

Bremner’s mechanics are clean and repeatable, showcasing a fluid and low-effort delivery that contributes to his consistent command. He works from a high three-quarters arm slot with a quick and loose arm action, producing excellent extension down the mound. His delivery features minimal head movement and good balance, allowing him to maintain velocity deep into outings.

In terms of deception, Bremner’s fastball and changeup play exceptionally well off each other due to his consistent arm speed and the late movement of both pitches. Hitters struggle to pick up the ball early out of his hand, especially left-handed batters, giving his pitches an added layer of effectiveness. This ability to tunnel his pitches makes him a tough matchup regardless of the count or handedness of the batter.

Outlook for 2025

Bremner need to showcase his durability and polish as UC Santa Barbara’s ace to solidify his profile as a future frontline starter. Likely candidate to be among the first arms selected in the MLB Draft, but answering some durability questions could mean the difference between a future as a starter and as a backend reliever.

Projection and Summary

Bremner has excelled in both starting and relief roles but has yet to show he can handle a full season in the rotation. Proving durability over a full junior season will be crucial to his draft stock.

Composure: A low-pulse competitor with an inner edge, often compared to Aaron Nola for his demeanor and stuff.

Projection: Profiles as a frontline starter with a legitimate three-pitch mix. His changeup might be the best pitch in college baseball, drawing comparisons to Kevin Kopps’ cutter in terms of dominance.

Summary

Bremner projects as a high-upside starting pitcher with the potential to anchor a rotation at the professional level. His plus fastball, double-plus changeup, and an above-average slider give him a legitimate three-pitch mix capable of missing bats in bunches. His clean delivery, advanced command, and ability to generate consistent swing-and-miss results against hitters on both sides of the plate enhance his profile as a potential frontline starter.

While durability and maintaining a full-season workload remain areas to monitor, Bremner’s electric stuff and competitive edge make him one of the most exciting arms in the 2025 MLB Draft class. With continued development and the polish of his secondary offerings, he has all the tools to thrive in pro ball and quickly rise through the ranks.

	Fastball	Changeup	Slider	Command	Overall
Future	60	70	55	55	65

How CSUN’s Incoming Transfer Class Can Impact 2025 Season

In 2024, Cal State Northridge got off to a hot start, going 9-2 in the early season before getting swept by Oregon State in early March to start a seven-game winless streak. They ended their season by going 2-10 in May, reaching double-digit runs just once.

It’s not that the Matadors’ offense was bad – after all, they ranked fourth in the Big West in both runs scored and slugging percentage and fifth in average – but they were clearly a step or so behind the conference’s top teams. To make matters worse, almost their entire 2024 offense is not returning in 2025:

Player	Yr.	2024 OPS	2025 Team
Kevin Fitzer	RS-Jr.	1.060	Colorado Rockies (MLB)
Kamau Neighbors	Sr.	0.856	Louisville
Shunsuke Sakaino	Jr.	0.821	Hawai’i
Jakob Simons	Grad.	1.109	N/A
Andrew Sojka	Sr.	0.851	Schaumburg Boomers (Frontier)

In fact, outfielder Jarren Sanderson is the lone returning hitter who posted an OPS over .750 last year, which means head coach Eddie Cornejo and his staff needed to rebuild their offense and fast.

And rebuild their offense they have. In addition to a talented freshman class, they have added plenty of transfer talent, including two-time Mexican College national champion Jesus Liera from the Sonora Institute of Technology in Sinaloa.

Joining Liera and Sanderson are a talented trio of hitters who look poised to make immediate contributions to the CSUN offense: LA Valley JC’s Royce Clayton, Jr., Skyline JC’s Elijah Fairchild, and Cal State Bakersfield’s Matthew Kurata. And these are the three players I’d like to take a look at in this article.

These will not be full scouting reports, though there’s a good chance I’ll profile at least one of these players later this season, but rather simply an overview of their college careers to this point, and what impact they may bring to the Matadors.

We’ll start with center fielder Royce Clayton, Jr., a transfer from Juco LA Valley College. Yes, Clayton is the son of British Olympic sprinter Samantha Davies and, yes, that Royce Clayton. He has been a spark plug at the top of LA Valley College’s lineup for the last two seasons, slashing .318/.421/.536 and stealing 53 bases in 67 attempts. He improved meaningfully in every category in 2024, but most notably in his power profile, moving from 13 extra-base hits as a freshman to 29 in his sophomore campaign. This helped him lead Valley to the Western State Conference title and earned him LAVC’s Athlete of the Year, as well as All-Region and All-Conference honors, before a short stint with the MLB Draft League’s Frederick Keys.

Clayton has a fairly complete game, combining outstanding center field defense with a speedy top-of-the-lineup profile, but also leveraging his entire 5’10”, 170-pound frame. All that remains to be seen as he transitions from Valley to Valley State is how he will hold up against Division I pitching, and over a full 54-game season. But the tools are there to be a premium player in the conference.

Elijah Fairchild was the starting shortstop for the Skyline Trojans as a true freshman, slashing .366/.451/.555 and stealing 11 of 17 bases over 42 games. It should be noted that the gaudy slugging percentage was very doubles-heavy – something that’s likely to be tempered against Divison I defenders. From March 26th until his final game on May 10, just one ball cleared the fence off of Fairchild’s bat.

After the conclusion of Skyline’s season, Fairchild headed to Duluth of the Northwoods League, where he managed just one extra-base hit. It’d be foolish to draw any conclusions from an eleven-game sample, but there were some encouraging plate appearances along the way during his first exposure to wooden bats. Either way, as a solid defensive shortstop, he’s likely to get plenty of opportunities this season.

Cal State Bakersfield had just three hitters with an OPS over .750 in 2024: 1B/DH Max Bernal, now at Pepperdine; 2B Nick Salas, now graduated; and C Matthew Kurata, now with the Matadors. Over 24 games in 2024, Kurata slashed .320/.364/.423 while serving as the Roadrunners’ primary backstop, before going down with an injury.

Over three seasons, he hit .344 for CSUB, and was even flashing nascent power in 2024 before his injury, connecting for his first two collegiate home runs. Don’t count on those numbers to skyrocket this season, but if he can get deeper into the warm weather months, it’s reasonable to expect him to be able to contribute some sharp line drives. Where Kurata has struggled in the past is his discernment at the plate. His best season, 2023, was also the one where he showed the most patience.

I like Kurata to stick behind the plate, where he is really effective, but he does have some flexibility, playing all around the infield (except shortstop) and even some corner outfield, giving him a really good opportunity to stick in the lineup.

All told, the Matadors are going to need these three guys (and Liera) to play to potential, as well as solid contributions from incumbents like Sanderson, Will Linberg, and Andrew Gauna, even to match their 2024 output. A leap doesn’t look likely this season, but if the newcomers can gel quickly and the returning players take a step forward, the foundation could be in place for the Matadors to build a more competitive offense in 2025 and beyond.

Player Profile: Anthony Martinez, 1B, UC Irvine

Anthony Martinez is a first baseman at UC Irvine who burst onto the collegiate scene as a freshman in 2023 when he slashed .394/.471/.619 with 25 walks and 27 strikeouts.

*Source: UC Irvine Baseball on Instagram*

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 230 lbs
DOB: April 12, 2004
Bats/Throws: Left/Right

Offensive Performance

Martinez followed up his stellar freshman campaign with a .316/.422/.492 slash line in 2024, showcasing an advanced approach at the plate. Notably, his Cape Cod League performance (.833 OPS, 15/9 BB/K ratio) confirmed his ability to succeed with a wood bat, a promising sign for his professional prospects.

One interesting trend in 2024 was his reverse-platoon splits:

Split	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	K%	BB%
vs RHP	.284	.367	.447	.814	10.7%	8.8%
vs LHP	.358	.463	.552	1.016	7.4%	9.9%

Despite the limited at-bats against lefties, Martinez’s performance against them is worth noting as a strength rather than a concern.

Hitting Mechanics

Let’s take a look at Martinez in the box:

Frame: Well-built with minimal room for additional weight.
Stance: Open setup with a semi-crouch, hands positioned shoulder-high, and rhythmic pre-pitch movements.
Swing Path: Features a slight hitch during the load phase, good bat speed, and a repeatable operation with some natural loft.
Lower Half: Efficient use of a leg lift and smooth linear-to-rotational transition. Short stride with front foot landing at a 45-degree angle.
Approach: Demonstrates advanced bat-to-ball skills and an all-fields approach, favoring the center of the diamond.

The calling card is the plate discipline. Thus far in his collegiate career, Martinez has more extra-base hits (57) than strikeouts (56).

Martinez’s bread and butter is sending the ball back where it came from: Over 37% of his batted balls found the middle third of the field in 2024, including nearly 20% of his flyballs.

Here he is doing just that:

This approach helps explain his tendency to keep the ball in the yard. To his pull side, he boasts a 0.530 batting average on balls in play, with good present in-game power.

Defensive and Positional Outlook:

Originally a catcher, Martinez transitioned to first base at UC Irvine, where he has remained. While his below-average speed limits his versatility, his above-average arm strength might allow for experimentation in a corner outfield spot. However, his defensive ceiling is likely capped at average for first base or outfield.

Projection and Summary:

One of the better contact hitters in the 2025 MLB Draft class, Martinez has good baseball skills that should translate well to the pro game. His offensive profile is presently more geared toward contact than power, but I see improved power production as a real possibility for him.

Martinez projects to have plus plate discipline and on-base ability. His ability to add loft and perhaps some positional flexibility will ultimately determine his ability to be in a lineup every day, but there is certainly very solid potential here for a player who has already managed to defy all expectations over the last two season.

	Hit	Discipline	Power	Field	Arm	Run	Ovr
Future	60	55	45	45	55	40	50