Player Profiles – Page 2 – Big West Dugout

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

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

Category: Player Profiles

Player Profile: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara