Former Angel Gary Matthews Jr. prices O.C. home at $15.5 million

Gary Matthews Jr. is swinging for the fences with his latest home offering. The former Angels outfielder has put his designer showplace in Corona del Mar on the market for $15.5 million, $12.5 million more than what he paid for the property in 2010.

At that price, a sale would be among the highest valued single-family home transactions ever for the Orange County community and the most expensive since the 22,000-square-foot Portabello Estate sold for $34,119,500 in 2010. Comparatively, the median sale price for single-family homes in the area in April was $2.063 million, based on 14 sales, according to CoreLogic DataQuick.

Designed by Carlton Graham and completed in 2013, the two-story contemporary offers commanding views of Balboa Island, Newport Harbor and the surrounding coastline from a third of an acre bluff.

The 6,232 square feet of living space has a polished look with brushed matte finishes, beamed white oak ceilings, imported limestone and clerestory windows.

Light-filled living spaces include an open-area common room anchored by a wall fireplace, a modern center-island kitchen, four bedrooms and five bathrooms. A lower-level lounge holds a glass-enclosed trophy room, an office, a wet bar and a wine cellar with a tasting area.

Walls of glass slide to reveal an infinity-edge pool with a raised spa, while a small courtyard marks the entrance to the home.

Records show that Matthews paid $3 million for the property in 2010. He owns other homes in the area, including a single-level home in the Cameo Highlands neighborhood that he had on the market for $3.55 million last year.

Tim Smith of Coldwell Banker Previews International is the listing agent.

Matthews, the son of former ballplayer Gary Matthews, played for nine teams across 12 seasons in the major leagues, making one All-Star team, with the Texas Rangers in 2006. The 40-year-old last played for the Mets in 2010.

Twitter: @NJLeitereg