Q&A With Lake Land Commit Martin Villagomez
January 9, 2025
One of the biggest winners from the State Games was undoubtedly RHP Martin Villagomez (Reavis, 2025), and he has since solidified himself as one of the more intriguing arms in the state. The lean and wiry right-hander dominated hitters at the event with a fastball up to 90 mph and two high-spin breaking balls, finishing his two innings without allowing a single hit or run, striking out one.
Being the athlete he is, Villagomez is also a talented position player, having shown well to our staff both in the IHSA season and on the tournament circuit, but his talent on the mound is what really separates him from other players in the state. Coming off a strong 2024 campaign, the talented two-way will certainly look to help lead Reavis to another deep playoff run to cap off his high school career.
We recently had the chance to talk to Villagomez about his recruitment process and much more, found below.
Our Q&A
PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Martin: I definitely expected it to be a challenging process but also a fun process for me. I felt interacting with different coaches, going on visits, and meeting new people was going to be fun. I was looking for a program that built good relationships with their players, one that had good player development, and a place where I felt a good vibe and comfortable at.
P: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
M: The distance and location of the school was definitely a thought in my mind, but I knew in order to take my baseball career to the next level I had to make sacrifices, one of them being going away from home.
P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?
M: The recruiting process didn’t really start to heat up for me until summer of this year, which I think is crazy. Lake Land didn't actually see me play, I think it was the Eastern Illinois Coach who saw me and contacted them and told them I am a player that has high potential.
P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?
M: What I like most about Lake Land is the bright future the program has ahead. Some key factors were them having multiple talented players go onto play division 1 baseball, it not being that far from home, and the campus itself is really nice and the vibe I had as soon as I got there was amazing.
P: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
M: The other schools on my short list were Kaskaskia College and Lewis University.
P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?
M: The best player I have faced by far is Jaden Fauske. He is a super advanced hitter who has the ability to hit the ball hard to all parts of the field, no matter the location or the type of pitch.
P: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
M: Not until the beginning of this year did I start realizing I have a high potential as a pitcher. All of last year I was sitting in the low 80s topping 85 mph, fast forward to this year I saw a huge increase sitting 86-88 topping 90 mph.
P: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
M: I would tell you that it's never too late, be obsessed with the process, slow progress is better than no progress, and lastly no matter how big or small you are you can do it, don’t give up.
P: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
M: The most memorable moment at this point in my career is hitting an inside-the-parker against Mount Carmel in the regional championship.
From Reavis:
— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) May 25, 2024
Martin Villagomez (2025) gets @ReavisBaseball on the board in B6 with this inside the park HR.
Still hitting in B6: Caravan 3, Reavis 1 pic.twitter.com/lwo08kwgg5
P: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?
M: We are coming off a 30-5 season while only losing two starters from last season, one being our starting right fielder and one of our main arms in the rotation - and we are adding Parker Zasada, one of our players that was injured last year. I feel us having basically the same team as last season, we should overall have a strong year and for sure come back to do some damage and hopefully win the conference again. Also I think we can definitely make a playoff run if we stay ready and play our best.
P: How did the Future Games and/or the Illinois State Games affect your recruitment process? Did you receive more attention following the event(s)?
M: Before the State Games I wasn't in contact with any college or being recruited, so the State Games definitely positively affected my recruiting process. Fun fact, the State Games was my first actual showcase I have ever been to besides one that came with playing in a Best In The US tournament. I’m pretty sure all the colleges that were trying to recruit me came from after I attended the State Games event.
P: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?
M: I would definitely be stealing the smooth and effortless delivery from Cameron Appenzeller.
P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?
M: For sure keep an eye out for Johnny Liesen, he is a strong, athletic player who is an advanced hitter and has a bright future ahead of him. Whenever I'm on base and he’s up, I know I'm scoring.
P: Did Prep Baseball assist in your recruiting? Whether it be through a showcase, tournament coverage, tweets, etc? If yes, please explain.
M: Yes, before the State Games I would play in tournaments and get posted but nothing ever clicked. It wasn't until my travel ball coach, Enrique Villanueva, reached out to you guys about me right before the State Games which led me to receive an invite, huge thanks to him for doing that. After my performance at the event and your guys’ post about me is when everything really started for me.