PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State baseball signed five players to National Letters of Intent to join the program in 2016 head coach Marty Lees announced Thursday.
In addition to the eight signed in November, the Cougars 13-member signing class features seven from junior college and six from high school. A complete list of coach Lees' first signing class at WSU is below.
“I am very excited for another group of commitments here at Washington State! Our coaching staff has found players who will make an immediate impact in our program,” Lees said. “Players that fit the style that we want to play. I believe we have found good baseball players that have the skill, talent, toughness and grit to play at this level. We have found more balance in speed and power with the ability to play a high level of defense. They will represent the Washington State baseball tradition with attitude, energy, and passion for the game. This is a step in the right direction towards the ultimate goal of winning a championship.”
Andres Alvarez (5-10, 160) is a shortstop out of Trinidad State Junior College in Colorado. Through 46 games this spring, the San Diego native owns a .381 batting average with 18 doubles, six homers, 45 RBI, 11 stolen bases, 54 runs scored and is slugging .639. The right-handed hitting Alvarez played at San Ysidro High School in San Diego where he was a two-time first-team All-South Bay League selection and helped SYHS to a CIF Division II Championship as a senior. He also played for the Mexico Junior National Team 2012-14. Alvarez will be a true sophomore for the Cougars next season.
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees …
“Andres is as good an infielder as I have seen this year. I project him to compete for a starting job immediately! He is a Pac-12 infielder. You must be able to field the routine ball and Andres can do that and more. He also shows the ability to make an impact in our lineup hitting, is very athletic and gives us stability that we need to compete in this conference.”
Trinidad State Head Coach Matthew Torrez …
“Andres is a sure handed shortstop who has a great feel for the defensive side of the game, adapts to situations quickly and will also add some offensive output. He has helped us to a 31-15 record so far this season and he helped his high school to a CIF championship last year, so he is very familiar with what it takes to be part of a winning program.”
Nate Easley (5-10, 170) is an outfielder from Yavapai College in Prescott, Ariz. In 56 games this season, Easley was named first-team All-Arizona Community College Athletic Conference and DI All-Region first team after leading the team with a .389 batting average with 17 doubles, eight home runs, 44 RBI, 68 runs scored, 25 stolen bases and a .471 on-base percentage. Last season, Easley played for San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif. and hit .279 with 32 RBI, 34 runs scored and 15 stolen bases. Easley's dad, Damien played 17 seasons in the big leagues including seven with the Detroit Tigers and five with the California Angels. Easley will be a junior next season for the Cougars.
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees …
“Nate is a great pick up for our program! He comes from a baseball family and knows what it takes to be a champion. Nate will gives us immediate help in the outfield, his speed alone will allow him to play at an elite level. He has proven he can hit, run, and play defense at a level that you need to win in the Pac-12! Nate's character and the way he leads his life is second to none. He will be an inspiration to whomever he is around. His energy is catching to everyone.”
Yavapai College Head Coach Ryan Cougill…
“We're excited for Nate's future at Washington State. It's a great opportunity to compete in a top conference and play for a coach that's won at the highest level. Nate has done the same thing for our club this year that he will do for WSU. He's a high energy player that takes pride in preparation and will buy into Coach Lees' philosophies.”
Jake Polancic (6-3, 200) is a right-hander pitcher from Langley Secondary in British Columbia. So far this season, Polancic owns a 2-1 records with two complete games including one shutout, a 2.01 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 17.1 innings. Last season, with the U18 Langley Blaze in the British Columbia Premier League, went 3-3 in nine starts with a 2.77 ERA and struck out 49 in 48 innings. He also helped the Blaze win gold at the Canada Cup and was later selected to play in the prestigious Tournament 12, an invite only event at Toronto's Rogers Centre. As a sophomore playing for the U16 Blaze in 2013, Polancic went 11-2 with a 1.67 ERA and 61 strikeouts.
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees …
“Jake is a pitcher that has improved all year! Jake is a strike thrower with the ability to throw 3-4 pitches for strikes and a very clean and smooth delivery. He will throw his fastball in the low 90's and all of Jake's coaches rave about his work ethic and ability to compete at a high level. We felt like we needed another right-handed pitcher in this class and we found a good one!”
Blaze Head Coach Jamie Bodaly…
“Jake is one of the hardest working players I have ever had in my 12 years with the Langley Blaze. He is a quiet guy but leads by example and was voted team captain this year. The type of pitcher the Cougar fans can expect is a guy who competes hard on the mound with good arm action who throws a heavy ball with good movement and throws three plus pitches.”
Ryan Ramsower (6-0, 190) is a third baseman from Pima Community College in Arizona. In 55 games, he earned DII All-Region Second Team honors after posting a .360 batting average with 15 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 39 RBI, nine stolen bases and a .429 on-base percentage. The right-handed hitting Ramsower hit .305 last season before breaking out this year. Ramsower, a Tucson, Ariz. native, was a second-team All-State selection for Salpointe Catholic High School and will be a true junior for the Cougars next season.
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees …
“We are very excited for Ryan to be a Cougar! He is very athletic and shows the ability to play third base at a high level. He has proven that he can hit and we believe he can add immediate help to us in all phases of the game. Ryan plays with an unbelievable amount of passion and energy. He is a winner and will give our program and injection of toughness and an attitude that can, and will be contagious.”
Pima CC Head Coach Britt Echols…
“Pima Community College Baseball Staff is extremely proud of Ryan Ramsower. Ryan has been a model student-athlete for our school and program for the last 2 years. Ryan's attitude and effort are what makes coaching a satisfying profession. We congratulate Ryan for all his hard work and accomplishments leading him to a great baseball program like Washington State.”
Cal Waterman (6-2, 205) is a catcher out of Summit High School in Bend, Ore. Waterman is a two-time 5A All-State catcher, earning first-team honors as a junior last season after hitting .407 and slugging .626. As a sophomore, the right-handed hitting Waterman earned second-team All-State accolades after hitting .410 with a .551 slugging percentage. Waterman is a four-year letterwinner at SHS for head coach and former major league pitcher Alan Embree and former major leaguer Richie Sexon. He also played for the Seattle Mariners Fall Scout Team in 2015 and was named to the Perfect Game World Series All-Tournament Team. Waterman also lettered twice in basketball.
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees …
“We are very fortunate that Cal has chosen Washington State to play baseball! Cal is good catcher with the ability to receive, block, and throw at an elite level. Has also shown the ability to hit for both average and power. He has not reached his full potential yet, and that's exciting to our coaching staff. Cal will be able to compete and contribute immediately for the Cougars.”
2016 Washington State Baseball Signing Class (Complete)
NAME POS B/T HT WT HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL)
Andres Alvarez SS R/R 5-10 160 San Diego, Calif. (San Ysidro HS/Trinidad State JC)
*Cody AndersonLHP L/L 6-6 200 Marysville, Wash. (Marysville-Pilchuck HS/Bellevue CC)
*A.J. Block LHP L/L 6-5 190 Bellevue, Wash. (Newport HS)
Nate Easley OF R/R 5-10 170 Glendale, Ariz. (Sandra Day O'Connor HS/Yavapai College)
*Peter Hutzal INF L/R 5-11 175 Calgary, Alberta (Bishop Carroll HS)
*Cory Meyer C R/R 5-10 180 Pocatello, Ida. (Highland HS/Spokane Falls CC)
*Dillon Plew INF L/R 6-3 180 Kennewick, Wash. (Kennewick HS)
Jake Polancic RHP R/R 6-3 200 Langley, British Columbia (Langley Secondary)
Ryan Ramsower 3B R/R 6-0 190 Tucson, Ariz. (Salpointe Catholic HS/Pima CC)
*Joe RosensteinRHP R/R 6-6 215 Arvada, Colo. (Arvada HS/Seina/Lamar CC)
*James Rudkin 1B R/R 6-0 200 Plano, Texas (Plano East HS/McLennan JC)
*Danny Sinatro INF L/R 5-10 165 Sammamish, Wash. (Skyline HS)
Cal Waterman C R/R 6-2 205 Bend, Ore. (Summit HS)
*Signed in November, 2015