Bellevue College Baseball 2017 Recruit Class: Low in Number, High in Impact

Here is a rundown on the seven special recruits signed by Bellevue College baseball for the 2018 season. With an exceedingly high number of returning freshmen from this spring’s 2017 squad, the need was small for this year’s class. “Credit goes to Recruiting Coordinator David Olson on finding these guys,” says Head Coach Mark Yoshino. “Olson saw nearly 60 teams this summer and several showcases, resulting in his eyes seeing over 1,000 players in a two- and-a-half month span to land just seven guys; that’s a lot of work and time commitment for these seven spots to be filled.”

Tre’Sean Steele – Third Base/Shortstop

Tre’Sean is a 6’3″ 200 lb. infielder from Kentwood High School.  He has played his summers with the JBA Cubs.   His athletic build and strong arm projects him as a plus third base prospect in his future. Tre’Sean is also featured on Baseball Northwest’s “Washington Prospect Watch List.”  Recruiting Coordinator David Olson says, “Tre’Sean is a very toolsy player who is very athletic.  If I had to compare him to a guy in our area, the first to come to mind is Harrison Bragg; an NWAC alum who is now at Mississippi State.  It will be exciting to see how he can grow here at Bellevue and potentially become a true third base prospect with legitimate pop in the bat.”

Jared Maxfield – First Base/Pitcher

Maxfield is a 6’4″ 230 lb. infielder/pitcher from Mountlake Terrace High School.  He has played his summers with the Washington Rush baseball program.  Jared has plus pop at the plate and a very strong arm on the mound.  Projecting as a true two-way player, Jared will do both at Bellevue.  Coach Olson says, “I think that Jared has a legitimate chance of becoming a true two-way player at the next level.  His raw tools are of no question, but his mindset is perfect to work on both sides of the game. Jared’s excellence in the classroom and character both on and off the field make up exactly what we look for in a Bellevue College recruit.”

Kosta Cooper – Catcher/Pitcher

Cooper is a 6’0″ 170 lb. catcher/pitcher from Edmonds-Woodway High School.  He has played his summers with the Washington Rush baseball program along with Maxfield and current Bulldogs Jack Kennelly, Dominic Marinez, and Austin Pinorini.  Kosta is a very solid defender behind the plate and has good command on the mound.  He is also featured on Baseball Northwest’s “Washington Prospect Watch List.”  Coach Olson says, “We are very excited to have Kosta as part of our program.  As a two-way player who works behind the plate as well, he has very good mindset and feel for the pace of the game and how to pitch to certain hitters.  It will be exciting to see him develop here at Bellevue.” Head Coach Mark Yoshino adds, “We envision Cooper being used in a major contributory role like Tate Budnick (ironically from the same high school as Cooper) did at Everett CC as a starting catcher and short relief pitcher. They both have cannon arms that can be utilized behind the plate and in the relief role.”

Nick Miller – Left-Handed Pitcher

Miller is a 6’1″ 170 lb. left-handed pitcher from O’Dea High School.  He has played his summers with the Boys of Summer baseball program, and will play his senior summer for Taylor Baseball.  Nick is a very projectable pitcher who has had a very successful high school career thus far for O’Dea.  Nick is also featured on Baseball Northwest’s “Washington Prospect Watch List.” Yoshino adds, “Miller was the one and only legitimate arm I personally was able to see this summer. Even though I happened to have caught him throw a no-hitter this summer, it wasn’t his stats in that game that impressed me, but his strike ability, arm speed, and cageyness on the mound. He reminded me of our former LHP Brian Buckham (’07, ’09) who came in with the exact same frame, mechanics, and velocity and developed while helping the club earn two championship rings here at Bellevue.”

Calvin Turchin – Right-Handed Pitcher

Calvin is a 6’3″ 215 lb. right-handed First Team 4A SPSL Northwest pitcher from Federal Way High School.  Calvin has been a consistent arm for a very good high school program at Federal Way under the direction of former Seattle University great, Arlo Evasick.  He has played his summers with the Federal Way Knights and is playing his senior summer for Rock Creek Baseball.  Calvin is one of the premier arms in the area for the 2017 class of graduates. Yoshino adds, “We only signed two pitchers (Turchin, Miller) early in the fall, but to be frank, these two could possibly come right in and be our #1 and #2 starters as freshmen; I don’t see either of them needing to go through any freshmen adjustment periods; they are that good and polished. While they both need to get better at our place to improve their options at the 4-year level, they’re good enough now to be legitimate NWAC stars.”

Ethan Smith – Outfield

Smith is a 5’10” 160 lb. outfielder from Glacier Peak High School.  Ethan has played his summers for the Northwest Bandits Showcase and Chaffey teams and will play his senior summer for FCA Baseball.  Ethan is a speedy outfielder who is a plus defender and lots of feel for stealing bases.  He has a good swing at the plate, and projects to gain some pop as he develops in the weight room. Smith is also well-coached coming in, having previously been under the tutelage of Ray Atkinson and Jim Stewart.  “Ethan is an exciting dynamic player.” Coach Olson says, “He has a lot of tools and has the potential to be a special player.  I saw him track down some balls in the gaps this summer that gave me confidence recruiting this young man to defend in the outfield here at Bellevue.”

Isaac Barrera – Outfield

Isaac is a 5’6″ 140 lb. second team SPSL 4A Northeast outfielder from Kentridge High School.  Isaac has played his summer ball with Baden Baseball 18U Premier team.  Isaac is another speedy outfielder with the potential to be a fly trap in the gaps and steal a lot of bases.  The dynamic tool set he offers is a nice complement to round off the class offensively. “When I watched Isaac this summer, one word came to mind; electric. Once he starts to run, whether it be off the swing, on a steal, or in the outfield, he creates panic for the opposition. What a great referral from his summer coaches/advisors, Kevin Miller, a former Bellevue assistant, and Wil Snyder,” says Yoshino.

Last Updated February 5, 2017