Two former Diamond Heel standouts are taking on larger roles on the UNC baseball coaching staff. Kyle Datres and Brandon Martorano, who starred for Carolina in the later 2010s and who served as undergraduate assistants during the 2026 season, have been promoted to full-time roles on the UNC staff moving forward. Both will serve in director of player development roles.

“We are thrilled to add Kyle Datres and Brandon Martorano to our coaching staff in a full-time capacity,” said head coach Scott Forbes. “Both were instrumental pieces of our staff last season and our run to the College World Series Championship Series, and I’m excited to watch them continue to grow as coaches and pour into our players every day.”

Datres played in Chapel Hill from 2016 to 2018, ending his time there with an All-ACC and All-American season in 2018 while helping lead UNC to a College World Series appearance. Afterward, the Colorado Rockies selected Datres in the 12th round of that year’s MLB Draft. Datres played seven seasons in the minor leagues, reaching as high as the AAA level before returning to UNC.

Martorano played at Carolina from 2017 to 2019 as a catcher, starting all but five games in the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He caught 20 runners stealing and hit 17 home runs in his collegiate career before the San Francisco Giants selected him in the 16th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He played six seasons in the minor leagues and reached as high as AAA before returning to Chapel Hill to complete his degree. Martorano will focus on UNC’s catchers in his player development role.

Coming off a national runner-up season in 2026, UNC will begin fall practice Monday, Sep. 7 at Boshamer Stadium.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

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