Bells Roundup March 19

Another week of baseball has gone by and we are here to let you know whats going on with our former and current Bellingham Bells on their college, high school and professional baseball teams. The talent that has passed through Bellingham throughout the years is immense so lets see what's going on in baseball this week.

Noah Cassie is slugging

The 2024 returning Bellingham Bell Noah Cassie has been putting together an impressive sophomore season with Mineral Area College before he travels to Joe Martin Field this summer and then to Texas A&M - Corpus Christi this fall. The right-handed batting outfielder is batting .426 in 68 at-bats this season and has crushed eight home runs and holds a remarkable 1.402 OPS. Cassie was an early season player for the Bells last summer and appeared in two games for Bellingham.

Basil Hendrix is an ace

The lefty pitcher Basil Hendrix is set to become a Bell this summer and he is racking up a dominating freshman season at Everett Community College. Hendrix has pitched a 0.43 ERA in 21 innings so far. He is putting up an impressive 0.81 WHIP as he has allowed just nine hits and eight walks in four starts this season. He has also struck out 19 batters. Let's just say we are excited to see Hendrix on the mound at Joe Martin Field this summer.

Luis Aviles signs professional contract

The 2021 Bellingham Bells alum Luis Aviles has signed a professional contract with the Gastonia Ghost Peppers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is considered a partner league of MLB. Aviles was a catcher for the Bells as well as Rice University and Tulane where he graduated from in 2022.

Nick McLain set to impress as "most talented" brother

There's nothing like a fun family rivalry. And when you have two older brothers who are with major league organizations, you are obviously going to be competitive with them. Former Bellingham Bell Nick McLain was drafted in the third round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox. He was the third McLain brother drafted after Matt McLain was drafted in 2021 and Sean McLain was drafted in 2022. Nick made his cactus league debut against the Reds playing across from his brother Matt on March 14. In an article by MLB.com, Sean was not shy to share his thoughts about the family rivalry.

Nasty Nick Nastrini

Before attending UCLA for three seasons, Nick Nastrini wore the Bellingham blue in 2018. After being drafted by the Dodgers in the 4th round of the 2021, Nastruni was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 2023. He made his MLB debut April 14 of last season and struck out five in his debut. Nastrini will not begin 2025 in the major leagues, but he has been impressive this spring in making batters miss. Thomas Nestico, a baseball "nerd" on X, laid out who has had the best whiff rate during spring training and nasty Nick Nastrini has his name among some talented MLB arms.

Spring Breakout recap

Last week we outlined the six former Bellingham Bells that were on Spring Breakout rosters. Lets check in and see how they did.

Will Simpson, 1B - Tampa Bay Rays

Simpson got one at-bat in the Spring Breakout game against the Boston Red Sox and flew out to right field.

Charlie Beilenson, RHP - Seattle Mariners

Beilenson took the mound in the third inning of the Spring Breakout game against the Cleveland Guardians. He picked up the final two outs of the frame retiring the two batters he faced, one via a strikeout and one a groundout.

Chris Campos, RHP - Los Angeles Dodgers

Unfortunately the Dodgers Spring Breakout game against the Chicago Cubs was canceled due to rain and we didn't get to see Campos.

Nick Nastrini, RHP - Chicago White Sox

Despite being on the Spring Breakout roster, Nastrini did not pitch an inning in the Spring Breakout game against the Colorado Rockies.

Nick McLain, OF - Chicago White Sox

Nastrini's teammate Nick McLain did appear in the Spring Breakout game against the Rockies and made a nice defensive grab, but did not get an at-bat.

Malcolm Moore, C - Texas Rangers

The 2024 first round draft pick got three at-bats in the Spring Breakout game against the San Francisco Giants and made an impact. Moore went 1-2 with a walk, double and a run scored.

Gabriel Hughes, RHP - Colorado Rockies

Hughes got the start in the Spring Breakout game against the Chicago White Sox and he put up two perfect innings. Hughes struck out two batters while facing the minimum six batters in two innings.