Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2025 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 spotlight the #5 ranked Tahoma Bears. 

 

High School: Tahoma Bears    
Head Coach: Jayke Chavez
Division: 4A
League/Conference: NPSL
2024 Record (Finish): 16-9
2024 Playoff Finish: First round 4A state

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 6
No. of Returning Pitchers: 6
Key Players Lost: Jackson Walker, Nate Kimmel, Elliot Thom, Ryder Fritz

TEAM OUTLOOK

Starting Pitching: Adam Jay, Neal Burtis, Bryson Leach

Bullpen: Sean Evans, Talon Coker, Kyson Chamberlin, Beckett Turnbow

Top Seniors: Adam Jay, Bryson Leach

Top Juniors: Neal Burtis, Beckett Turnbow, Sean Evans, Zach Moser, Anthony Wagner

Underclassmen to watch: '27 Trey Davies, '27 Talon Coker, '27 Hudson Thom, '27 Kyson Chamberlin, '27 Grayson Turnbow

Areas to watch: Offense

Team Strengths: Pitching depth, balance of experience/youth

Coaches Outlook: “The Bear Pack is looking to make a title run as it is returning majority of their starters and staff. The Bears plan to entertain and show their skills on the field.” – Jayke Chavez, Head Coach

Overall Summary

Tahoma enters the 2025 season with lofty expectations, thanks in large part to their pitching staff. Arguably no team in the state has more talent on the mound than the Bears. Senior LHP and Lower Columbia commit Adam Jay returns after leading the team in innings pitched last season. Junior LHP and Oregon State commit Neal Burtis has made steady improvements over recent years and is now one of the top lefty arms in his state class. Both Jay and Burtis should contribute in the lineup as well. Senior RHP and Gonzaga commit Bryson Leach appears fully healthy and is a high octane arm to watch. Prep Baseball is also circling sophomore RHP Talon Coker after a big time jump in stuff at Preseason All-State. The lineup will be where the big question marks are for the Bears, who are looking to improve from last season at the plate. Junior SS Beckett Turnbow will man the top of the order after leading the team hitting .370 last spring. Junior Sean Evans is a power bat that can be a difference maker when locked in. Several younger options could be contributors offensively, including sophomores Trey Davies and Hudson Thom. First year head coach Jayke Chavez is circling early season matchups with O'Dea and Kentlake as big games, in addition to the Baseballism High School Classic tournament in March. Tahoma should be able to ride their arms deep into the season this spring, and look to compete at the 4A level.

Find more information on the 2025 Tahoma program below:

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

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