Long Beach State University Athletics
Beach Reads: Trusting The Process
5/6/2026 2:00:00 PM | Baseball
Trusting the process has guided freshman Trevor Goldenetz’s rise at Long Beach State.
Trusting the process has become more than just a phrase for Trevor Goldenetz, it's the foundation of everything he's built his freshman season on at Long Beach State.
By the time Goldenetz steps into the batter's box, there's no hesitation. No moment too big, no stage too overwhelming. Just a quiet confidence shaped by years around the game and a belief that if he gives everything he has, the rest will take care of itself.
For Goldenetz, baseball was never something he picked up, it was something he was born into. Growing up in a household with three older brothers who all played baseball and eventually made it to the collegiate level, the game was constant. It wasn't just a pastime, it was part of everyday life.
"People always ask when I first started playing baseball," he said. "I always say I don't know, because I've been playing since I got out of the womb."
That upbringing shaped more than just his swing. It built the foundation for how he sees the game today.
Goldenetz learned early what it meant to compete, fail, and keep going, backed by a family that made countless sacrifices to support that journey.
"It starts with my parents, being really good parents," Goldenetz said. "My dad was a busy man, owned his own company, and he sacrificed a lot for us to be able to enjoy the game of baseball. It takes a lot, and my parents were always there for me and my brothers."
His brothers, too, helped shape him into the player he is now.
"They sacrificed a lot to teach me the game," he said. "Everything I know, a lot of it comes from them."
That background didn't just build an athlete, it built a mindset. One that would later define his transition into college baseball.
Originally committed to TCU, Goldenetz's plans shifted unexpectedly. In a moment that could have derailed many young players, he leaned on the same foundation that had carried him his entire life.
"I was committed to TCU, and it wound up not working out," Goldenetz said. "Coach Bruce was one of the first people that reached out."
That moment changed everything.
For Head Coach TJ Bruce, the decision to pursue Goldenetz wasn't complicated.
"He's just an overall baseball player," Bruce said. "He's a winner. Any program in the country would be lucky to have Trevor."
For Goldenetz and his family, the connection was immediate.
"Me and my family met with him, and we just felt like he was the one I wanted to develop and win ball games with," Goldenetz said. "I'm glad that's how things played out."
It wasn't just Bruce. The familiarity within the coaching staff made Long Beach State feel like home. With connections that stretched back years, Goldenetz stepped into a program where relationships already mattered.
"I've known Coach Strauss for years," he said. "My brother played for him in college. I love all the coaches here."
That sense of trust made the transition into college baseball feel natural.
"The biggest adjustment is that it's a full-time job," Goldenetz said. "You're going to school, working out, and playing games- it's all day every day."
But even with the increased demands, the moment never felt too big.
"I felt like I fit into the system right away," he said. "I never felt any pressure. A lot of freshmen might feel nervous for their first at-bat, but I never really had that. I just played my game."
That ability to stay level minded and to block out pressure and trust his preparation, is what separates him.
"He's a throwback type of player," Bruce said. "He's unique. He could've played in any era. He could've played here in 2004, he could've played for Coach Snow in 1989. He's one of those types of players."
Instead of modeling his game after others, Goldenetz has always focused on carving out his own identity.
"Honestly, no," he said when asked if he patterns his game after a specific player. "I like watching Mike Trout. He plays the game super hard. But I just want to make my own name."
His game reflects that identity: simple, consistent, and relentless.
"I'd say I'm an overall baseball player," he said. "I play the game hard. If I play at 120 percent every time, stuff will fall into place."
It's a philosophy that shows up most in his approach at the plate.
"I just try to get on base as much as I can," he said. "Whether it's bunting, walking, or hitting a single, just finding ways to help the team."
But the biggest growth hasn't been physical, it's been mental.
"In high school, you play more free," Goldenetz said. "Now you're facing guys throwing 90 miles per hour every game. You have to build an approach. You're watching film and studying scouting reports."
Even with that added complexity, his mindset hasn't changed.
"Honestly paying attention to stats doesn't boost my confidence," he said. "My biggest thing is having the same mentality after a bad game as a good one."
It's a lesson passed down from his brothers, one that has stuck.
"This game can really mess with you mentally," he said. "The best players in the world hit .300. You can't doubt yourself."
Instead, he stays grounded in the same approach every day.
That consistency has made him a natural fit within the Dirtbags culture.
"What makes this program special is the legacy that was left behind," Goldenetz said. "And being able to build on that for the players behind me."
It's something Bruce emphasizes just as much.
"To write your future, you better understand your past," Bruce said. "It's important to understand the history, but also to create your own. He's Trevor Goldenetz — he's one-of-one."
Goldenetz has embraced that balance, respecting what came before while carving out his own identity.
"He embodies all of our core values," Bruce said. "His integrity, his toughness, his response, he owns everything he does. He's selfless, and he holds the people around him to a high standard."
Off the field, that same mindset carries over.
"He loves life. He loves the challenge," Bruce said. "There's no victim mentality with him. He's always on the attack."
Even with success early in his career, Goldenetz's focus hasn't shifted.
"My goal is to win the Big West and go beyond," he said. "At the end of the day, I don't think about personal goals a lot. I just let that stuff fall into place."
Looking ahead, his vision is simple.
"I just want people to know I gave my all," he said. "Every pitch, every fly ball. I want to leave behind a hard work ethic."
It's not about recognition. It's about impact.
Bruce sees that potential clearly.
"The sky is the limit," he said. "He has the ability to be one of the greatest Dirtbags to come through this program."
But for Goldenetz, the focus remains where it's always been — on the process.
The work. The preparation. The consistency.
"Trust the process," he said. "God has a plan."
And for a freshman already making his presence felt, that belief isn't just something he says.
It's how he plays.
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By the time Goldenetz steps into the batter's box, there's no hesitation. No moment too big, no stage too overwhelming. Just a quiet confidence shaped by years around the game and a belief that if he gives everything he has, the rest will take care of itself.
For Goldenetz, baseball was never something he picked up, it was something he was born into. Growing up in a household with three older brothers who all played baseball and eventually made it to the collegiate level, the game was constant. It wasn't just a pastime, it was part of everyday life.
"People always ask when I first started playing baseball," he said. "I always say I don't know, because I've been playing since I got out of the womb."
That upbringing shaped more than just his swing. It built the foundation for how he sees the game today.
Goldenetz learned early what it meant to compete, fail, and keep going, backed by a family that made countless sacrifices to support that journey.
"It starts with my parents, being really good parents," Goldenetz said. "My dad was a busy man, owned his own company, and he sacrificed a lot for us to be able to enjoy the game of baseball. It takes a lot, and my parents were always there for me and my brothers."
His brothers, too, helped shape him into the player he is now.
"They sacrificed a lot to teach me the game," he said. "Everything I know, a lot of it comes from them."
That background didn't just build an athlete, it built a mindset. One that would later define his transition into college baseball.
Originally committed to TCU, Goldenetz's plans shifted unexpectedly. In a moment that could have derailed many young players, he leaned on the same foundation that had carried him his entire life.
"I was committed to TCU, and it wound up not working out," Goldenetz said. "Coach Bruce was one of the first people that reached out."
That moment changed everything.
For Head Coach TJ Bruce, the decision to pursue Goldenetz wasn't complicated.
"He's just an overall baseball player," Bruce said. "He's a winner. Any program in the country would be lucky to have Trevor."
For Goldenetz and his family, the connection was immediate.
"Me and my family met with him, and we just felt like he was the one I wanted to develop and win ball games with," Goldenetz said. "I'm glad that's how things played out."
It wasn't just Bruce. The familiarity within the coaching staff made Long Beach State feel like home. With connections that stretched back years, Goldenetz stepped into a program where relationships already mattered.
"I've known Coach Strauss for years," he said. "My brother played for him in college. I love all the coaches here."
That sense of trust made the transition into college baseball feel natural.
"The biggest adjustment is that it's a full-time job," Goldenetz said. "You're going to school, working out, and playing games- it's all day every day."
But even with the increased demands, the moment never felt too big.
"I felt like I fit into the system right away," he said. "I never felt any pressure. A lot of freshmen might feel nervous for their first at-bat, but I never really had that. I just played my game."
That ability to stay level minded and to block out pressure and trust his preparation, is what separates him.
"He's a throwback type of player," Bruce said. "He's unique. He could've played in any era. He could've played here in 2004, he could've played for Coach Snow in 1989. He's one of those types of players."
Instead of modeling his game after others, Goldenetz has always focused on carving out his own identity.
"Honestly, no," he said when asked if he patterns his game after a specific player. "I like watching Mike Trout. He plays the game super hard. But I just want to make my own name."
His game reflects that identity: simple, consistent, and relentless.
"I'd say I'm an overall baseball player," he said. "I play the game hard. If I play at 120 percent every time, stuff will fall into place."
It's a philosophy that shows up most in his approach at the plate.
"I just try to get on base as much as I can," he said. "Whether it's bunting, walking, or hitting a single, just finding ways to help the team."
But the biggest growth hasn't been physical, it's been mental.
"In high school, you play more free," Goldenetz said. "Now you're facing guys throwing 90 miles per hour every game. You have to build an approach. You're watching film and studying scouting reports."
Even with that added complexity, his mindset hasn't changed.
"Honestly paying attention to stats doesn't boost my confidence," he said. "My biggest thing is having the same mentality after a bad game as a good one."
It's a lesson passed down from his brothers, one that has stuck.
"This game can really mess with you mentally," he said. "The best players in the world hit .300. You can't doubt yourself."
Instead, he stays grounded in the same approach every day.
That consistency has made him a natural fit within the Dirtbags culture.
"What makes this program special is the legacy that was left behind," Goldenetz said. "And being able to build on that for the players behind me."
It's something Bruce emphasizes just as much.
"To write your future, you better understand your past," Bruce said. "It's important to understand the history, but also to create your own. He's Trevor Goldenetz — he's one-of-one."
Goldenetz has embraced that balance, respecting what came before while carving out his own identity.
"He embodies all of our core values," Bruce said. "His integrity, his toughness, his response, he owns everything he does. He's selfless, and he holds the people around him to a high standard."
Off the field, that same mindset carries over.
"He loves life. He loves the challenge," Bruce said. "There's no victim mentality with him. He's always on the attack."
Even with success early in his career, Goldenetz's focus hasn't shifted.
"My goal is to win the Big West and go beyond," he said. "At the end of the day, I don't think about personal goals a lot. I just let that stuff fall into place."
Looking ahead, his vision is simple.
"I just want people to know I gave my all," he said. "Every pitch, every fly ball. I want to leave behind a hard work ethic."
It's not about recognition. It's about impact.
Bruce sees that potential clearly.
"The sky is the limit," he said. "He has the ability to be one of the greatest Dirtbags to come through this program."
But for Goldenetz, the focus remains where it's always been — on the process.
The work. The preparation. The consistency.
"Trust the process," he said. "God has a plan."
And for a freshman already making his presence felt, that belief isn't just something he says.
It's how he plays.
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Players Mentioned
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