RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — After tearing it up in Low-A ball and then lighting it up with the High-A Jersey Shore Blue Claws, Carson DeMartini from Virginia Beach is quickly climbing the baseball ranks.

Less than one year after being drafted in the fourth round by the Philadelphia Phillies, DeMartini was recently promoted to Double-A Reading.

“It’s helpful that I met most of the guys in spring training, so it’s not like I came to a team where I didn’t know a soul,” DeMartini said.

In 14 games with Reading, DeMartini has 14 hits, including three doubles and a triple. As far as his position, at Virginia Tech he played primarily third base, but he’s also willing to play anywhere.

“Being able to adapt really quickly and go out there and play any position they need you to play, I think, is just super valuable these days,” DeMartini said.

This week, Reading is in Richmond taking on the Flying Squirrels. As the grind of a long baseball season goes on, DeMartini said it’s nice to close to home for a few days.

“It’s great being back in Virginia,” DeMartini said. “I’ve got a bunch of friends here in Richmond that I’ve been hanging out with, and being able to see at the games and obviously, my family not too far in Virginia Beach being able to come out, it’s been really cool.”

Now the 22-year-old former Ocean Lakes High School standout is just two levels away from the major leagues.

While he is on a fast trajectory, he’s not trying to rush it.

“Every single night in the big leagues there’s 30,000 to 40,000 fans that think you suck, and in the minor leagues, it’s your time to learn how to deal with all that stuff,” DeMartini said.

It’s just another step in the process, he said.

“It’s no shock that I’m up here personally,” he said. “Everyone in my corner thinks I’m good enough to move along in the correct steps it takes to get to the big leagues, so just another stepping stone.”