Nevada's Mitchell inks with Coffeyville Community College

Nevada High School senior Brett Mitchell enjoys his signing-day moment while surrounded by family and coaches at the NHS Media Center Tuesday afternoon. Pictured front row, from left to right: Brett's brother C.J., his dad, Chris, Brett Mitchell, and mom, Mary. Back row: NHS assistant baseball coach Kyle Talley, NHS head baseball coach Danny Penn, NHS head basketball coach Shaun Gray, and NHS Athletic Director John McNeley. Not pictured, Brett brother Eastan. (Photo by Noah Jones/Daily Mail)

Nevada Tigers catcher and baseball captain Brett Mitchell will be continuing his baseball career with the Red Ravens of Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.

In front of a packed audience comprised of peers, teachers, and school administrators, Mitchell made it official Tuesday inside the Nevada High School Media Center.

"Coffeyville historically has a great baseball program," Mitchell said. "I really love the coaching staff, and will have the opportunity to advance myself as player."

Mitchell, who is also a member of the Tigers basketball team, ranks No. 4 in his class with a 3.973 grade point average.

"Brett has been a tremendous asset to our program because of his baseball knowledge and love for the game," NHS baseball coach Danny Penn said. "Playing arguably the most important defensive position, Brett's baseball IQ makes him similar to having another coach on the field."

Penn said Mitchell is an exceptional teammate and role-model to underclassmen on the team.

"As a teammate, he's someone who's willing to help younger players to get better," Penn said. "As a freshman, he was able to look up to Cole Sanderson, be a sponge, and learn as much as he could. He's flipped to the other side of that equation now, and he's been a great mentor to a lot of the younger players in our program."

Penn added that Mitchell is an ambassador for the Tigers baseball program off the field.

"Off the field, he's a great representation of what we, as coaches want a Nevada Tiger Baseball player to embody," Penn said. "He's a great student, and is a high-character individual who has the attributes and characteristics necessary to succeed at the next level, both academically and on the baseball field."

Penn said Mitchell has made big strides on the field since his freshman season.

"Brett has grown, both physically and mentally, over the past three-plus years" he said. "As a freshmen, his physical size limited him to a degree. Both him arm and bat have gotten much stronger over the past three years, and he's turned into a coach on the field in the catching position."

Penn said now that Mitchell's signing is in the rearview, he's hopeful his captain will be able to relax and thoroughly enjoy his senior campaign.

"He's a grinder in the sense that sometimes we as coaches have to reign him in tell him to back off a little," Penn said. "I'd like Brett to just focus on being solid behind the plate again and working to fine-tune his swing."

Mitchell said he plans on continuing to hone his skills over the summer with the Midwest Nationals of the MINK League, adding that he can't wait to begin his collegiate baseball career.

"I will have more independence and a lot more time to improve my game," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said his anticipated major is nutrition.