SPRINGFIELD – Cooper Mullens and Isaiah Ibarra – the Drifters’ second baseman and catcher, respectively – were named to the 2025 West Coast League all-star team.
“I’m super honored,” Mullens said. “I’m really excited to be able to honor or represent the Drifters organization. They’ve done a lot for me over the past couple of years, and to be able to represent them and how they do things, which has just been first class since I’ve been here, (and) hopefully represent them well, I’m super excited.”
Mullens grew up in the Springfield-Eugene area, graduating from Marist Catholic High School before going to Michigan.
“It’s really cool to be able to play in front of people that I’ve grown up around, and with some guys I’ve grown up around, because going to school across the country, that’s not really something I do,” he said. “So it’s allowed me to continue that kind of community aspect to some degree that I haven’t been able to do at school.”
Mullens recorded four hits and five RBIs on 18 at-bats in his freshman season with the Wolverines in 2024. In the same season, he also had two double plays and four assists in the field. Mullens redshirted his sophomore season in 2025 before coming back for another summer season in Springfield.
Despite this being his third season with the team, Mullens said this year feels different.
“This is the first time since high school I’ve been in somewhat of a leadership role,” Mullens said. “I think (coach Jeff Lyle’s) done a really good job at that, allowing a lot of it to be player-led, but also being super involved at the same time. I think it is a really hard balance to have, and I think he’s done an incredible job with that.”
Mullens leads the team in several stat categories this season. He’s totaled 22 RBIs, 43 hits, and 32 runs in 128 at-bats. But those are just hitting numbers; Mullens has 30 putouts, 40 assists, and 134 innings played so far this season in 33 games in the field.
Ibarra’s journey with the Drifters is just getting started. After graduating from Ganesha High School in West Covina, Calif., in 2025, Ibarra committed to USC as the No. 19 catcher in the nation.
As Ibarra enters his first collegiate season, he has recorded 26 hits, 19 runs, 15 RBIs, and five double plays in the summer league.
These Drifters stars aren’t only making an impact on the field; they’re also making one in the community. The Drifters have been holding youth camps for kids to learn how to “play like a Drifter.” During these camps, players and coaches show children how to improve their game.
“It’s the benefit of the camper getting to come and see a Cooper Mullens or an Isaiah Ibarra … and realize that they’re accessible and that they’re not much different,” Lyle said. “And then our kids are telling them that, man, when I was 9 or 10, I was just like you.”
The 2025 West Coast League all-star game was scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, at 6:35 p.m.