Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2026 spring season. Team previews touch on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Washington Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Team Previews are generated through a mixture of coaches' responses gathered through our perennial coaches questionnaires, as well as insight from Prep Baseball Staff. Stay tuned the next several weeks for the unveiling of Team Previews and the complete Power 25.

Today, we preview the #22 ranked W.F. West Bearcats. 

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High School: W.F. West Bearcats   
Head Coach: Jesse Elam
Division: 2A
League/Conference: Evergreen
2025 Record (Finish): 22-4
2025 Playoff Finish: 2A state quarterfinals

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5
No. of Returning Pitchers: 6
Key Players Lost: Deacon Meller, Ross Kelley, Grady Westlund, Weston Potter, Carlos Vallejo

TEAM OUTLOOK

Starting Pitching: Connor Coleman, Hayden Rooney, Emmitt Goodman, Miles Martin

Bullpen: Hudson McCallum, Wyatt Hoffman, Race Rockey, Cole Ozretich

Top Seniors: Connor Coleman, Alex Stafford, Miles Martin, Beckman Dvorak, Cole Ozretich

Top Juniors: Hiroto Smaciarz, Hayden Rooney, Emmitt Goodman, Hudson McCallum

Underclassmen to watch: '28 Wyatt Hoffman, '28 Reese Marquez, '28 Jack Becker

Areas to watch: Experience

Team Strengths: Pitching, offensive approach

Coaches Outlook: “We come into the season with a lot of unknowns. We are replacing a lot of impact players. We have a good core of guys and some guys with things to prove. Our success will depend on our toughness and grit, and if we get some guys moving up from our JV to compete at the varsity level and fill a role" - Jesse Elam, Head Coach

Overall Summary

W.F West enters the 2026 season with high expectations after a 22-4 year and a 2A state tournament appearance last season. The Bearcats are built around their pitching, led at the top with senior LHP Connor Coleman. The talented 6'3 arm has been seen up to 89 MPH and will be in attendance at PNW Preseason All-State this February. Other returning arms from last spring include juniors Hayden Rooney and Emmitt Goodman, who should see an increased role this season. The lineup will be the big key to watch for W.F West this spring. Most of the top and middle of the order last season were seniors who have now graduated, leading to increased opportunities for several players. Senior Miles Martin was impressive last summer as an athletic outfielder who could contribute. Junior INF Hiroto Smaciarz possesses plenty of speed and could be an impact player atop a lineup. A trio of sophomores could also be in line to contribute at the varsity level, as Wyatt Hoffman, Reese Marquez and Jack Becker will all be names to watch. Head Coach Jesse Elam has scheduled several great matchups for the Bearcats this spring, including games against Camas, Kelso and Tumwater. Look for W.F West to once again be a strong 2A side with state title aspirations.

Find more information on the 2026 W.F. West program below:

+ Follow them on X: @WFWBASEBALL
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Washington Preseason Power 25 homepage

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