Baseball Adds Ten Signees for 2025
8/20/2024 9:08:00 AM | Baseball
Zags add one freshman and nine transfers in the latest round of additions
SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga Baseball Head Coach Mark Machtolf announced the addition of ten student-athletes via national letters of intent on Tuesday. Mikey Bell, Gabe Brabec, Ethan Buckley, Cooper Ciesielski, Luca DiPaolo, Jared Glenn, Ryan Hernandez, Mickey McClaskey, Jacob Wrubleski, and Ty Yukumoto are all set to join the Zags this fall prior to Gonzaga's 2025 spring season.
"We are excited to add this group to the other incoming Zags we signed in the Fall," Machtolf said. "Overall, we feel like this group adds to our returning roster and puts us in a good spot to compete for a WCC title."
Mikey Bell | RSo. | INF | Fresno, Calif. | San Joaquin Memorial HS | Cuesta College
Bell is a Cuesta College transfer out of Fresno, Calif., coming off a big season for the Cougars in 2024 where he finished third on the team with a .368 batting average. Starting in all 45 games for Cuesta last season, Bell led the team with 13 home runs and finished second with 59 runs batted in while collecting a 1.190 OPS. A First Team All-Western State Conference – North Division honor capped off Bell's season before signing with the Zags for 2025.
"I chose Gonzaga because of its winning program and atmosphere. It is also a great place to receive an amazing education."
Gabe Brabec | So. | RHP | Ashland, Ore. | Ashland HS | Linn-Benton Community College
Brabec signs with Gonzaga after a stellar 2024 season with the Linn-Benton Roadrunners where he appeared in 13 games with nine starts, allowing just nine runs with 99 strikeouts over 72.2 innings pitched, good for a 1.11 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, and .123 batting average against. Brabec earned First Team All-NWAC after finishing third in the conference in ERA, third in wins (9) and fourth in strikeouts.
"I chose Gonzaga for its amazing coaching staff, winning atmosphere, and its desire to develop players to the best of their ability."
Ethan Buckley | Jr. | C | Cape Town, South Africa | Fairmont HS | Linn-Benton Community College
Buckley is the second Linn-Benton Community College transfer to join the Zags in 2025, spending the past two seasons as a member of the Roadrunners' battery. In 2023, Buckley appeared in 19 games and batted .311 with a home run and six runs batted in. LBCC would go on to win the NWAC South Region title during that season. In 2024, Buckley had nearly double the plate appearances over 22 games, batting .250 with 17 runs batted in.
"Gonzaga is a great university, and I believe it will give me the opportunity to improve my academics and play baseball at a high level."
Cooper Ciesielski | RSo. | OF | Monument, Colo. | Lewis Palmer HS | UT Permian Basin
A sophomore transfer out of the University of Texas Permian Basin, Ciesielski joins the Zags next season after compiling a career .349 batting average for the Falcons in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, Ciesielski played in 48 games with 47 starts, batting .324 with eight home runs and 40 runs batted in and an OPS of .970. Last season, Ciesielski's season was cut short after five games despite a hot 10-for-16 start with a home run and six runs batted in.
"I look forward to joining the Zag community and making an impact on and off the field. I can't wait to play for this program under a great coaching staff."
Luca DiPaolo | Jr. | C | La Cañada Flintridge, Calif. | Loyola HS | Southern California
DiPaolo signs with Gonzaga after two seasons at Southern California, appearing in 25 games with 14 starts for the Trojans. In his freshman season in 2023, DiPaolo took advantage of his 22 at bats, posting a .820 on base plus slugging percentage with a pair of home runs. His first came in a win a Utah where he went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in and two runs scored. His second came in a loss at Washington, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Behind the plate in 2024, DiPaolo threw out two runners in limited action, with both coming against fifth-ranked TCU on Mar. 3.
"I chose Gonzaga because of its wonderful campus and competitive baseball program."
Jared Glenn | RJr. | RHP | Ladera Ranch, Calif. | JSerra Catholic HS | Arizona State
Glenn arrives at Gonzaga this fall, making the journey up from Arizona State where he spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons on the Sun Devils' pitching staff. In his freshman season, Glenn posted a 6-2 record in 24 appearances with three starts and a 5.02 ERA. Noted for his long-relief outings, Glenn finished second on the team in innings pitched with 52. In 2022, Glenn pitched 24 innings for ASU while striking out 32. His career-high outing came in 2021 when he pitched 7.1 shutout innings out of the bullpen while paving the way for Arizona State to turn a 3-0 deficit into a 6-3 win.
"I chose Gonzaga because I believe it is a great place where I can grow as a player and as a person."
Ryan Hernandez | Gr. | LHP | La Mirada, Calif. | La Mirada HS | Cal Baptist
Hernandez will bolster Gonzaga's pitching staff in 2025, joining the Zags as a graduate transfer from Cal Baptist. The lefty from La Mirada made 27 appearances for the Lancers in 2024, sporting a team-leading 1.55 ERA with 20 strikeouts over 29 innings pitched. Hernandez only allowed seven total runs throughout the season, five of which were earned while adding a 1.00 WHIP. Opposing hitters batted just .178 against Hernandez in 2024.
"I chose Gonzaga because I felt it was a great fit for me academically, and after meeting the coaches I knew it was a great fit athletically as well."
Mickey McClaskey | Fr. | RHP | Lake Oswego, Ore. | Jesuit HS
McClaskey hails from Jesuit HS in Lake Oswego, Ore., and will join the Zag pitching staff after capping his high school career with an All-6A Metro League honor and OSAA All-State Honorable Mention nod in 2024. The Crusaders (22-10) finished third in the Metro League in 2024 with a 12-6 record before falling in the OSAA State Playoffs. McClaskey compiled a 2.67 ERA in his senior season, striking out 19 over 18.1 innings while walking just two.
"I'm really looking forward to surrounding myself with the Jesuit experience at Gonzaga. Playing baseball at the next level while continuing my faith as a catholic is very important to me."
Jacob Wrubleski | So. | C | Okotoks, Alb. | Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Wrubleski signs with Gonzaga after a stellar freshman season at Chandler-Gilbert Community College where he batted .409 with 50 runs batted in and nine home runs and earned First Team All-ACCAC and All-Region DII. His batting average ranked second on the team, and he finished third in hits (65), fourth in runs scored (46), third in runs batted in and second in home runs. His 1.201 on base plus slugging led all hitters. CGCC finished their 2024 campaign with a 36-23 record and fell just short in the NJCAA Regional Finals.
"I want to excel in both academics and athletics and continue to better myself as a student, person, and baseball player."
Ty Yukumoto | Sr. | INF | Waipahu, Hawaii | Leilehua HS | Pacific University
Yukumoto will join the Zags for 2025 after three impressive seasons with Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., where he notched a career batting average of .329 over 116 games and 107 starts for the Boxers. In his freshman season, Yukumoto batted .323 in 35 games while driving in 16 and scoring 27 runs. He broke out even more in 2023, recording a career-high .371 average with 28 runs batted in and 43 runs scored. Earning First Team All-Northwest Conference, Yukumoto finished seventh in average, second in hits (67), and fourth in runs scored while leading the NWC in at bats (178) and stolen bases (23). Despite a less productive season in terms of average (.291) in 2024, Yukumoto put together a respectable junior season that saw him finish fourth in the NWC in runs scored (43), second in at bats (172), and third in stolen bases (16).
"I chose Gonzaga because I wanted to be able to compete with other players at the Division I level while also obtaining a fantastic degree that comes with it."
"We are excited to add this group to the other incoming Zags we signed in the Fall," Machtolf said. "Overall, we feel like this group adds to our returning roster and puts us in a good spot to compete for a WCC title."
Mikey Bell | RSo. | INF | Fresno, Calif. | San Joaquin Memorial HS | Cuesta College
Bell is a Cuesta College transfer out of Fresno, Calif., coming off a big season for the Cougars in 2024 where he finished third on the team with a .368 batting average. Starting in all 45 games for Cuesta last season, Bell led the team with 13 home runs and finished second with 59 runs batted in while collecting a 1.190 OPS. A First Team All-Western State Conference – North Division honor capped off Bell's season before signing with the Zags for 2025.
"I chose Gonzaga because of its winning program and atmosphere. It is also a great place to receive an amazing education."
Gabe Brabec | So. | RHP | Ashland, Ore. | Ashland HS | Linn-Benton Community College
Brabec signs with Gonzaga after a stellar 2024 season with the Linn-Benton Roadrunners where he appeared in 13 games with nine starts, allowing just nine runs with 99 strikeouts over 72.2 innings pitched, good for a 1.11 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, and .123 batting average against. Brabec earned First Team All-NWAC after finishing third in the conference in ERA, third in wins (9) and fourth in strikeouts.
"I chose Gonzaga for its amazing coaching staff, winning atmosphere, and its desire to develop players to the best of their ability."
Ethan Buckley | Jr. | C | Cape Town, South Africa | Fairmont HS | Linn-Benton Community College
Buckley is the second Linn-Benton Community College transfer to join the Zags in 2025, spending the past two seasons as a member of the Roadrunners' battery. In 2023, Buckley appeared in 19 games and batted .311 with a home run and six runs batted in. LBCC would go on to win the NWAC South Region title during that season. In 2024, Buckley had nearly double the plate appearances over 22 games, batting .250 with 17 runs batted in.
"Gonzaga is a great university, and I believe it will give me the opportunity to improve my academics and play baseball at a high level."
Cooper Ciesielski | RSo. | OF | Monument, Colo. | Lewis Palmer HS | UT Permian Basin
A sophomore transfer out of the University of Texas Permian Basin, Ciesielski joins the Zags next season after compiling a career .349 batting average for the Falcons in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, Ciesielski played in 48 games with 47 starts, batting .324 with eight home runs and 40 runs batted in and an OPS of .970. Last season, Ciesielski's season was cut short after five games despite a hot 10-for-16 start with a home run and six runs batted in.
"I look forward to joining the Zag community and making an impact on and off the field. I can't wait to play for this program under a great coaching staff."
Luca DiPaolo | Jr. | C | La Cañada Flintridge, Calif. | Loyola HS | Southern California
DiPaolo signs with Gonzaga after two seasons at Southern California, appearing in 25 games with 14 starts for the Trojans. In his freshman season in 2023, DiPaolo took advantage of his 22 at bats, posting a .820 on base plus slugging percentage with a pair of home runs. His first came in a win a Utah where he went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in and two runs scored. His second came in a loss at Washington, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Behind the plate in 2024, DiPaolo threw out two runners in limited action, with both coming against fifth-ranked TCU on Mar. 3.
"I chose Gonzaga because of its wonderful campus and competitive baseball program."
Jared Glenn | RJr. | RHP | Ladera Ranch, Calif. | JSerra Catholic HS | Arizona State
Glenn arrives at Gonzaga this fall, making the journey up from Arizona State where he spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons on the Sun Devils' pitching staff. In his freshman season, Glenn posted a 6-2 record in 24 appearances with three starts and a 5.02 ERA. Noted for his long-relief outings, Glenn finished second on the team in innings pitched with 52. In 2022, Glenn pitched 24 innings for ASU while striking out 32. His career-high outing came in 2021 when he pitched 7.1 shutout innings out of the bullpen while paving the way for Arizona State to turn a 3-0 deficit into a 6-3 win.
"I chose Gonzaga because I believe it is a great place where I can grow as a player and as a person."
Ryan Hernandez | Gr. | LHP | La Mirada, Calif. | La Mirada HS | Cal Baptist
Hernandez will bolster Gonzaga's pitching staff in 2025, joining the Zags as a graduate transfer from Cal Baptist. The lefty from La Mirada made 27 appearances for the Lancers in 2024, sporting a team-leading 1.55 ERA with 20 strikeouts over 29 innings pitched. Hernandez only allowed seven total runs throughout the season, five of which were earned while adding a 1.00 WHIP. Opposing hitters batted just .178 against Hernandez in 2024.
"I chose Gonzaga because I felt it was a great fit for me academically, and after meeting the coaches I knew it was a great fit athletically as well."
Mickey McClaskey | Fr. | RHP | Lake Oswego, Ore. | Jesuit HS
McClaskey hails from Jesuit HS in Lake Oswego, Ore., and will join the Zag pitching staff after capping his high school career with an All-6A Metro League honor and OSAA All-State Honorable Mention nod in 2024. The Crusaders (22-10) finished third in the Metro League in 2024 with a 12-6 record before falling in the OSAA State Playoffs. McClaskey compiled a 2.67 ERA in his senior season, striking out 19 over 18.1 innings while walking just two.
"I'm really looking forward to surrounding myself with the Jesuit experience at Gonzaga. Playing baseball at the next level while continuing my faith as a catholic is very important to me."
Jacob Wrubleski | So. | C | Okotoks, Alb. | Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Wrubleski signs with Gonzaga after a stellar freshman season at Chandler-Gilbert Community College where he batted .409 with 50 runs batted in and nine home runs and earned First Team All-ACCAC and All-Region DII. His batting average ranked second on the team, and he finished third in hits (65), fourth in runs scored (46), third in runs batted in and second in home runs. His 1.201 on base plus slugging led all hitters. CGCC finished their 2024 campaign with a 36-23 record and fell just short in the NJCAA Regional Finals.
"I want to excel in both academics and athletics and continue to better myself as a student, person, and baseball player."
Ty Yukumoto | Sr. | INF | Waipahu, Hawaii | Leilehua HS | Pacific University
Yukumoto will join the Zags for 2025 after three impressive seasons with Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., where he notched a career batting average of .329 over 116 games and 107 starts for the Boxers. In his freshman season, Yukumoto batted .323 in 35 games while driving in 16 and scoring 27 runs. He broke out even more in 2023, recording a career-high .371 average with 28 runs batted in and 43 runs scored. Earning First Team All-Northwest Conference, Yukumoto finished seventh in average, second in hits (67), and fourth in runs scored while leading the NWC in at bats (178) and stolen bases (23). Despite a less productive season in terms of average (.291) in 2024, Yukumoto put together a respectable junior season that saw him finish fourth in the NWC in runs scored (43), second in at bats (172), and third in stolen bases (16).
"I chose Gonzaga because I wanted to be able to compete with other players at the Division I level while also obtaining a fantastic degree that comes with it."
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