The Bellingham Bells are excited to announce the signing of two more position players to the 2018 roster. Catcher Cole Joy from Long Beach State and Will McGillis from Southern Mississippi will help patrol the infield and bolster the Bells’ lineup.
McGillis is a six-foot two-inch infielder for the Golden Eagles, currently in his first year with the team.
He is a big, powerful hitter who hit .500 with seven homers and 31 RBI as a senior at Presbyterian Christian High School.
This dominant season came directly after he missed his senior basketball season due to a torn ACL but was able to get back on the diamond in time to play the back half of his final season of prep baseball.
As a senior, McGillis was also named to the Clarion-Ledger Top 40 senior list and was named a three-time All-Conference during his high school career.
“Will McGillis is an outstanding player,” Bells’ pitching coach Jim Clem said. “Defensively, Will has primarily been a shortstop, but his athleticism gives us a lot of flexibility to use him wherever he may be needed. Will has a strong arm, to go with his good hands, so Bells fans should have a lot fun watching Will on the field. Will is a physical young man, with exceptional offensive skills, the added plus to all of this is that he displays some good power too! Just as impressive, Will is known for being a tremendous person. Yes, we are excited to have Will be a Bell.”
In high school, McGillis also played basketball, earning two All-Conference selections.
Long Beach State’s Cole Joy is another Division I athlete who will be making his way to Bellingham this summer.
Joy is a five-foot ten-inch catcher who also has the versatility to play at the corners in the infield and outfield.
He graduated from Mission Viejo High School in California where he hit .269 with seven doubles and 15 RBI in his senior season.
Before heading to Long Beach State, Joy made a two-year pit stop at Irvine Valley College.
This is where Joy really blossomed into the player he is today as he was named first team All-Conference in 2017 after hitting .368 with three home runs and 21 runs batted in.
Joy thrived on plate-discipline, striking out just 12 times in 144 at-bats.
He is currently in his junior year for the Dirtbags, who are coming off of an impressive 42-20-1 season last year.
“Cole Joy is a proven player and gives us some valuable experience on the field,” Clem said. “He was an outstanding performer at Irvine Valley College and was expected to play a key role at Long Beach State this year, before sustaining a hand injury at the beginning of the season. He is expected to be ready to return sometime later in April and will be ready for the Bells this summer. Cole will be a catcher for the Bells, but he can also play first-base and the outfield. He has a reputation for carrying a big stick, as he hits for average and power. Cole is a high character individual, who brings a lot to our clubhouse. We are very pleased that Cole is a Bell.”
You can catch McGillis and Joy at the Bells’ home opener on June 4 at Joe Martin Field against Walla Walla.
