SPRINGFIELD – As West Coast League playoffs continued, we take a look at the Springfield Drifters’ 2025 season – one that finished with a 22-32 record, tying their previous best win total from ’23. This season, coaches focused on developing talent, giving players the tools they need to succeed in their collegiate careers. While the focus wasn’t necessarily winning, wins did come – especially midseason. Now, with players returned home, the team looks to the future.
Coaching
Drifters head coach, Jeff Lyle, entered the fray late in 2024 – succeeding former coach Alan Embree’s quiet departure.
Just before the season, Lyle noted his staff had much less time to prepare compared to the other teams in the league. “I was probably still one of the last hires in the WCL this year. So we actually don’t really have a huge advantage,” Lyle said before the season. “We got into this really late. A lot of players had already been placed by the time we started getting after guys. I feel like we’re really lucky to have ended up with the roster that we have.”
This won’t be a problem entering the ’26 season. Lyle and his staff have emphasized they are here to stay, to build a baseball team in Springfield worth caring about.
Player focus
Springfield’s philosophy this season was set to benefit each of its players by giving them tools from respected, long-time coaches. With the help of Lyle and assistant coach Dean Stiles – both with extended major league experience – as well as midseason help from MLB pitcher Keynan Middleton it was clear coaching would be a strength.
The team took input from each player’s college coaching staff to learn how to help each player. This ensured the development during the season would serve the teams they’d be playing for in the spring.
Cooper Mullens said this season will help his career at Michigan. “Coming into the year, I redshirted at Michigan. So getting live at-bats was a big deal for me, and I was able to do that over the course of the summer,” Mullens said. “I think I got over 200 plate appearances, which was great. And being able to play multiple positions. I’ve played a lot of second (base) in my life, so playing third and even left (field), was really helpful.”
Mullens, along with his teammate Isaiah Ibarra – who plays catcher – earned a spot in the West Coast League all-star game.
Mr. Drifter
Mullens is no stranger to a summer with the Drifters, as he finished his third season with the team. This has earned him the record for most games played as a Drifter, a record that is sure to stick around, given he has a 30-game lead over second place.
“The record is super cool, but it’s more about the people I’ve been able to get around being a Drifter for three years. I’ve been able to meet a lot of really good people, and be around an organization that does things the right way and treats people the right way,” Mullens said. “It’s been great to be able to come home and play for three years, and just be comfortable knowing I’m going to be around good people.”
Mullens has 109 games played as a Drifter, and with two more years of college eligibility, it’s possible that number grows.
Tied record and the future
With little time to prepare and players coming and going throughout the season, it speaks volumes that Springfield tied its win record this season. Despite the group of early departures, Lyle and the staff said they are more than pleased with how the season played out.
“A really good friend of mine in professional baseball told me that only one team is ever going to win it all,” Lyle said.
“And who do you want to surround yourself with when you’re losing? We have had a struggle these last eight or nine games, but our clubhouse hasn’t changed,” he said after the team’s final home game. “We have an amazing group of kids who are left. And, you know, I wouldn’t trade these experiences and these kids for a few more wins.”
Now with more time to prepare, a committed coaching staff, and a strong foundation, the Springfield Drifters look to next season with confidence.
DRIFTERS DATA CENTER
RESULTS
Monday, Aug. 4
Drifters 12, Walla Walla 4
Tuesday, Aug. 5
Walla Walla 6, Drifters 5
Wednesday, Aug. 6
Walla Walla 4, Drifters 2
WCL PLAYOFFS
Sunday, Aug. 10
Edmonton 8, Victoria 7
Bellingham 4, Winatchee 3
Corvallis 10, Bend 0
Tuesday, Aug. 12
Bellingham at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
Corvallis at Portland, 7:45 p.m
