“Vanderbilt Was Kind of Everything to Me,” Austin Martin Reflects on Vanderbilt Career
“Vanderbilt Was Everything to Me,” Austin Martin Reflects on His Time at Vanderbilt
In an exclusive interview with Vandy on SI, Austin Martin, former Vanderbilt standout and current Minnesota Twin, opened up about his journey from college baseball star to professional player. 
Before becoming one of the most prominent figures in college baseball during his final year at Vanderbilt, Martin was a relatively unnoticed high school player with dreams of reaching the major leagues. Now a member of the Minnesota Twins’ 26-man roster, Martin is working hard to prove he belongs at the highest level of the game, reflecting on his experiences that shaped his career.
“Vanderbilt really was everything to me,” Martin shared. “It changed the direction of both my career and my life. The lessons I learned there, and the way Coach Corbin runs the program, have been invaluable. I’ve applied so much of what I learned at Vanderbilt to my pro career.”
Though Martin’s professional journey hasn’t been as smooth as many would expect for a former No. 5 overall draft pick and national champion, he credits his time at Vanderbilt, and the advice from Coach Tim Corbin to stay grounded, for keeping him focused. Overcoming five separate stints on the injured list, seven rehab assignments, and time spent in the minors as a 26-year-old, Martin has remained resilient.
Had he not internalized Corbin’s message to stay calm and composed, Martin believes his path could have been much more difficult. “Maturity, learning how to handle things the right way—both professionally and personally—has been key for me,” he says. “When I first got to Vanderbilt, I had a lot of growing up to do, both on and off the field. My time there helped me figure that out.”
Martin’s professionalism has been evident since his days walking around Hawkins Field. He’s always known how to handle the media and has consistently made time for fans, often signing autographs. As the major league season winds down with the Twins not positioned for a playoff spot, Martin stays focused on being present and controlling what he can.
“It’s about staying in the moment,” Martin explains. “In the professional world, there’s so much out of your control. The key is managing what you can and making each day count.”
Although his journey hasn’t unfolded exactly as he imagined when he left Vanderbilt, Martin remains determined. “I’m just going to keep pushing forward,” he says, still aspiring to reach the same level of excellence he once displayed at Vanderbilt.
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