PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State Baseball announced the 18-member signing class who will join the program next fall, head coach Marty Lees announced Monday.
 
"I am very excited for another group of commitments here at Washington State! These players can make an immediate impact in our program and are players that fit the style that we want to play," Lees said. "I believe we have found good baseball players that have the skill, talent, toughness, and grit to play at this level.  Our goal is to recruit from Pullman out! Targeting the best players in the Northwest and then recruiting the best players in other places throughout the country.  We believe that we will have starting pitching that will allow us to compete against anyone.
 
"I really believe that this class could be one of the best to ever arrive on campus. They will represent the Washington State Baseball tradition through attitude, energy, and passion for the game. This is another step in the right direction towards the ultimate goal, Win a Championship!"
 
2018 SIGNING CLASS
NAME                  POS       HT          WT         YR          HOMETOWN (LAST SCHOOL)
Connor Barison   RHP        6-2          175         FR           Redmond, Wash. (Redmond HS)      
Koby Blunt           OF/RHP  5-10        170         FR           Clarkston, Wash. (Clarkston HS)
Kyler Bush           LHP        6-5          225         FR           West Haven, Utah (Fremont HS)
Abel Carter          INF         5-10        180         FR           Carson City, Nev. (Carson HS)
Grant DeLappe    INF         6-0          170         JR*         Maple Valley, Wash. (Tahoma HS/Bellevue College)
Payton Flynn        INF         6-4          190         FR           Kennewick, Wash. (Kamiakin HS)
Tyson Guerrero   OF/LHP   6-0          170         FR           Chehalis, Wash. (W.F. West HS)
Trevor Ichimura   RHP        6-1          185         FR           Mililani, Hawaii (Iolani HS)
Kodie Kolden       INF         6-0          175         FR           Post Falls, Idaho (Lake City HS)
Sam Lauderdale  LHP        6-2          165         FR           Vancouver, Wash. (King's Way Christian HS)
Brandon Lees      INF         6-3          175         FR           Pullman, Wash. (Pullman HS)
Kyle Manzardo    INF         6-1          185         FR           Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (Lake City HS)
Zane Mills            RHP        6-4          205         FR           Portland, Ore. (Lincoln HS)
Anthony Notaro   C             6-0          185         FR           Anacortes, Wash. (Anacortes HS)
Bradley Polinsky  C             6-0          180         FR           San Diego, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic HS)
Tyler Russell        RHP        6-3          170         FR           Battle Ground, Wash. (Battle Ground HS)
Trent Sellers        RHP/INF 6-0          170         FR           Kennewick, Wash. (Kennewick HS)
Brandon White    RHP        6-8          190         FR           Chehalis, Wash. (W.F. West HS)
 *Redshirted

 
 
Connor Barison (6-2, 175) is a right-handed pitcher out of Redmond High School in Washington. Barison was named First Team All-State and First Team All-KingCo as junior after posting a 1.24 ERA with 56 strikeouts, eight earned runs and held opposing hitters to a .116 batting average in 45.1 innings. He played summer ball for the NW Naturals and was named to Perfect Game Evoshield National Championship All-Tournament Team.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Barison…
"Connor will be another pitcher that we have big plans for immediately! His fastball can range from 87-91 and he has a very good feel for his slider and changeup. We project Connor as a starter as early as his freshman year."
 
 
Koby Blunt (5-10, 170) is and outfielder/right-handed pitcher out of Asotin High School and Clarkston High School in Washington. Blunt is a two-time All-Greater Northern League selection, earning All-state honors and sophomore where he threw a five-inning perfect game. He played summer ball for the Club Spokane Dodgers and coach Jeff Simmelink, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Teams at WBBBA World Championships and Perfect Game Fall National Championship. Blunt was also selected to the Royals Area Code team.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Blunt…
"Koby was the first player who committed in this class. He has played at a high level his entire life and is one of the toughest kids that I have ever seen play. He absolutely hates to lose and is a winner! I believe Koby is as good of a player as there is in the Northwest. I project Koby playing for the Cougs as a corner outfielder."
 
 
Kyler Bush (6-5, 225) is a lefthanded pitcher out of Fremont High School and West Haven, Utah. Bush is a two-time All-Region selection and earned All-State honorable mention as a junior. Bush also played summer ball for the Utah Marshalls, helping them win the 2017 Phil Singer World Series.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Bush…
"Kyler is from the state of Utah and has pitched at a high level the last couple years. He comes from a highly competitive summer program. He is a big body lefthander who commands all of his pitches. He is another pitcher whom we believe can start for the Cougs in the future. We believe he is one of the best in the state of Utah and we are very fortunate he chose WSU over a number of other offers."
 
 
Abel Carter (5-11, 180) is an infielder out of Carson High School in Carson City, Nev. Carter hit .342 with 26 RBI as a sophomore before earning North All-League first-team honors after hitting .404 with 30 runs scored, six doubles, five home runs, eighth stolen bases and 33 RBI. Carter, who owns CHS school records for rushing yards and touchdowns in football, is former high school teammates with current Cougar freshman pitcher Bryce Moyle.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Carter…
"Abel might be as good of athlete as we have signed in a long time! He comes from the state of Nevada and he has the speed, strength, toughness, and his ability to hit will give him a chance to play right away.  He plays third base but could move to any outfield spot because of his athleticism."


Grant DeLappe (6-0, 170) is an infielder out of Bellevue College. The right-handed hitter earned All-NWAC North Region second team honors after hitting .300 with 19 stolen bases, 12 doubles, six triples, seven homers and 50 RBI last season. He will play his redshirt-sophomore season with Bellevue before joining the Cougars next fall. DeLappe's mother, father, sister and two aunts all graduated from Washington State.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on DeLappe…
"Grant is the only junior college player we will sign this fall, he plays shortstop at Bellevue Community College and we believe he can play shortstop or third base for us! He is a very versatile player who is coming off a tremendous freshman season at the plate."
 
 
Payton Flynn (6-4, 190) is an infielder out of Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, Wash. As a junior in 2017, Flynn earned All-Mid-Columbia Conference honors after hitting .370 with 26 RBI, helping KHS to a 3A Eastern Regional championship. This past summer, Flynn played for the Tri-City Trojans where he hit .395 with four home runs and drove in 36 runs.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Flynn…
"Payton is another big bat in this class. Every time we saw him play, he would hit doubles and homers! He is a big kid that will only get better and stronger and I project him to play first base or a corner outfield spot!
 
 
Tyson Guerrero (6-0, 170) is an outfielder/lefthanded pitcher out of Chehalis, Wash. and W.F. West High School. Guerrero is a two-time All-Evergreen Conference selection, earning league MVP honors and All-State honors as a junior after posting a 1.02 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 27.1 innings. As a junior the lefthander posted a 15-strikeout game, later threw a no-hitter and helped WFWHS reach the 2A state title game with a 12-strikeout game in the semifinal round.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Guerrero…
"Tyson is a lefthander who came on late and has continued to grow on us! His Fastball is up to 90 with a very good swing and miss breaking ball. We believe Tyson could pitch anywhere in our system. He is also very unique to us because we also believe he can play centerfield at a high level so he will be given the opportunity to be a 2-way player for us!"
 
 
Trevor Ichimura (6-1, 170) is a right-handed pitcher out of Iolani High School in Hawaii. Ichimura is a two-time All-Interscholastic League of Honolulu honorable mention selection as a sophomore and junior. He was also selected to play in the Hawaii Fall Showcase in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Ichimura…
"Trevor comes to us from Hawaii and he is a righthander who is a strike throwing machine! He throws three pitches for strikes and we can project him to pitch more than once a weekend."
 
 
Kodie Kolden (6-0, 175) is an infielder out of Lake City High School in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Kolden helped LCHS to a state title as a sophomore before earning All-Inland Empire League first-team honors on the mound as a junior after going 5-0 record with three saves and 0.41 ERA on the mound. Kolden, who also hit .431 with eight doubles last season, is rated the third overall prospect in the state of Idaho by Baseball Northwest and earned the top scholar award for being in the top 10 percent for GPA in Idaho.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Kolden…
"Kodie is in my opinion, is the best infielder in the Northwest for the 2018 class! He is a highly skilled defender! I believe Kodie could play any infield position, but I believe he will stay in the middle. He can hit…hit for power…hit for average and will be a base stealer."
 
 
Sam Lauderdale (6-2, 165) is a lefthanded pitcher out of King's Way Christian High School in Vancouver. Wash. Lauderdale is a two-time All-Trico League first-team selection and earned 1A All-State honors as junior after helping KWCHS to a 1A State Title. Last summer, Lauderdale was selected to play for the Kansas City Royals Area Code team and was later selected to the 2017 PNW All-Tournament Team.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Lauderdale…
"Sam is, in our opinion, the best lefth-handed pitchers in the State of Washington and the Northwest! He reminds us of others we have coached, that won conference and National Championships. We plan to use Sam as a starter immediately. His fastball ranges 86-89 with plus second and third pitches.  With added strength we believe he will pitch in the low to mid 90's and eventually be as good as anybody by his junior year."
 
 
Brandon Lees (6-3, 175) is an infielder out Pullman High School. Prior to his senior season, Lees played summer ball for the Arizona Diamondbacks Scout Team and the summer league Spokane Dodgers for coach Jeff Simmelink and was also selected to Area Code Tryout. Lees is the son of the Cougars head baseball coach Marty Lees and Kristy Lees who is the Cougars coordinator of baseball operations.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Lees…
"Brandon has really improved his skill set over the past couple years playing for the Spokane Dodgers! He has shown the ability to play all infield positions, but we project him as a third baseman. With added strength and time he will be valuable to our program."
 
 
Kyle Manzardo (6-1, 185) is an infielder out of Lake City High School in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Manzardo earned 5A All-Inland Empire League first-team honors as an infielder last season after hitting .471 with eight doubles, two triples, two home runs and 28 RBI. This past summer, he was selected to play in the National Team Identification Series for U17 in North Carolina.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Manzardo…
"Kyle, in our opinion, is the best left-handed hitter in the Northwest! He comes from a baseball family where is father is the high school coach. I believe that Kyle can play first base or one of corner outfield spots!
 

Zane Mills (6-4, 205) is a right-handed pitcher out of Lincoln High School in Portland, Ore. Mills is a two-time All-Portland Interscholastic League selection, earning honorable mention as a sophomore and second team honors as a junior. Last season, Mills struck out eight in a complete-game 2-1 quarterfinal-win of the Oregon Independent Baseball Association tournament. He is rated the No. 4 overall prospect in Oregon by Baseball Northwest.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Mills…
"We have watched Zane a lot over the past two years. His fastball has been up to 89 and shows heavy sink and he has shown the ability to throw a slider and a changeup at the bottom of the zone. We think Zane will pitch in the low to mid 90's very soon. He has a big body and we project him to come out of our bullpen 2-3 times per weekend immediately."
 
 
Anthony Notaro (6-0, 185) is a catcher out of Anacortes High School in Washington. Notaro is a two-time team captain and earned first-team All-State honors as a junior after leading AHS team with a .396 batting average and leading them to a third-place finish at the 2A State Tournament.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Notaro…
"Anthony is another catcher who we have liked more and more espeically over this past summer. He has shown the ability to catch and throw and more important….the ability to lead. He has great makeup and will make everyone around him better!"
 
 
Bradley Polinsky (6-0, 180) is a catcher out of Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, Calif. Polinsky was named a Perfect Game Underclass All-American as a sophomore and helped CCHS to a CIF Open Division title and a No. 1 ranking in San Diego with a 25-9 record. He was named a Preseason All-American by Perfect Game and Under Armour and went on to earn CCHS's Gold Glove Award as a junior. Prior to his senior year, Polinsky was selected to play for the Atlanta Braves Scout Team and played in the Perfect Game National Showcase.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Polinsky…
"Bradley comes to us from San Diego and is a left-handed hitting catcher who has played at a high level for years. He will be a great addition to our catching crew and we believe he can be a high level defender one day!"
 
 
Tyler Russell (6-3, 170) is a right-handed pitcher out of Battle Ground High School in Washington. Russell is a three-time All-Greater St. Helens League selection, twice to the second team and once to the first team as sophomore. Russell is rated the No. 7 right-handed pitcher prospect and No. 19 overall prospect in Washington by Perfect Game.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Russell…
"Tyler has high skill and a high ceiling! He can throw three pitches for strikes and we project him as a starter at some point in his career. He has an advanced skill level and is highly competitive." 
 
 
Trent Sellers (6-0, 170) is right-handed pitcher and infielder out of Kennewick High School in Washington. Sellers was named the All-Area Player of the Year and earned All-Mid-Columbia Conference first-team honors as a pitcher and honorable mention at third base as a sophomore after going 5-0 with 43 strikeouts in 37.1 innings. He also hit .518 with 17 doubles and 23 RBI and was the first sophomore to earn All-Area Player of the Year since former Cougar and Kennewick HS star Trek Stemp did so in 2010. Sellers earned earned All-Area and All-Mid-Columbia Conference honors as a pitcher and second basemen in his junior season after recording 53 strikeouts with a 3.16 ERA in 37.2 innings while also recording a .373 batting average with 11 doubles and 20 RBI. This past summer he played for the Kennewick Outlaws where he was named MVP of the American Legion State Tournament and helped the Outlaws earn a trip to the American Legion World Series. Sellers is a former high school teammate of current Cougar Dillon Plew. Senior outfielder JJ Hancock also played at Kennewick High School.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on Sellers…
"Trent will come in and pitch immediately! He has the ability to pitch wherever we need him! His fastball is anywhere from 88-92 with what we believe is a wipe out slider! His ability to compete along with his toughness, aggressiveness, and grit is what will establish him in his role."
 
 
Brandon White (6-8, 190) is a right-handed pitcher out of Chehalis, Wash. and W.F. West High School. White is high school teammates with fellow Cougar signee Tyson Guerrero. White was named All-Area second team and All-Evergreen League first team accolades as a junior last season after posting a 6-2 record with a 1.88 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 44.2 innings, helping WFWHS to second-place finish at the 2A State tournament.
 
Cougar Head Coach Marty Lees on White…
"We believe Brandon is one of the top 2 -3 pitchers in the state of Washington! He projects very well with his size and length. He does a good job of commanding three pitches right now. With strength, we believe he could be as good as any pitcher in the Pac-12. I believe he could project as a starter as soon as his freshman season."