2012 MLB draft highlights BC baseball program’s continuing success

With three players recently selected in the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft, Bellevue College’s baseball program continues a long tradition of success in preparing players for the professional leagues.

Adrian Sampson, a pitcher, was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth round with the 166^th overall pick. Later in the draft, the Seattle Mariners chose catcher Alexander Ross with the 1031^st pick in the 34^th round. Additionally, Ian Parmley, a former player who spent two years at BC before transferring to a university, was drafted in the seventh round, 235^th overall, by the Toronto Blue Jays.

The program, begun only in 1970, is considered one of the top programs in the nation at the community/junior college level. Six players in program history have advanced to the major leagues, including two active pitchers:  2010 All-Star Evan Meek of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Blake Hawksworth, who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Just as impressive, 53 players have been drafted since 1989, and at least one BC player has been selected in 20 out of the last 24 MLB drafts.

Much of the credit goes to long-time coach Mark Yoshino, who is approaching his 20^th year with the program. He has consistently fielded winning teams, composed almost entirely of local players from the Eastside and Puget Sound region, that compete regularly against squads filled with top out-of-state talent.

Yoshino’s track record grooming young players has caused major league scouts to take notice. When he first started at BC, it was difficult to get them to visit. Now, three to five scouts show up each week during the season. Yoshino organized a “Scout Day” earlier this year that drew representatives from 25 major league clubs to see his players.

“Mark is terrific,” says Joe Ross, a scout with the Seattle Mariners. “It’s always worth my time to come down to Bellevue College to watch his players, because he always has guys who play well, with great hustle. He really knows how to coach.”

Yoshino has also developed a pipeline into programs at four-year colleges and universities. Over the last 24 seasons, over 200 players have transferred to these programs, including 12 this year, to continue their baseball careers.