Posted on: Saturday, August 4, 2001

Kamehameha's Pruett signs with Milwaukee

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Instead of cruising this summer, recent Kamehameha Schools graduate Hubert Pruett went to work on his pitching.

The result is the 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-handed pitcher signing with the Milwaukee Brewers, who selected him in the 41st round in the June first-year player draft. He leaves tomorrow for the Brewers' rookie team in the Arizona League.

"Had he not pitched this summer, we would not have gotten a good look at him," said Brewers' area scout Corey Rodriguez, who was here to sign Pruett. "He really put the time in to give himself the opportunity to get signed. He created his own opportunity."

Pruett gave the Brewers a closer look at his ability when his Pearl City Little League team played in the Big League (17-18-year-olds) tournament in Arizona last week.

"It opened their eyes they told me," Pruett said.

As a result, Pruett will forgo a baseball scholarship to Lewis-Clark State. But his bonus includes a college package.

Pruett and Rodriguez would not disclose the bonus amount, but both said it was consistent to what a 10th-rounder would get. According to a Web site called Prospect Watch, the bonus range for a 10th round high school senior last year was $50,000-$80,000.

"It feels good to get it over with," Pruett said of the negotiations. "I'm anxious to play."

Rodriguez said he had been scouting Pruett for the past three years. He said Pruett has since added four to five miles per hour to his fastball and developed a slider since last year. He said Pruett's fastball was in the 90-92 mph range in the Big League tournament. He added that Pruett's delivery has "smoothed out" and he should be able to develop a third pitch, preferably a changeup.

Rodriguez said Pruett has the tools to develop into a starting pitcher, but added that it is up to the organization's player development department to make the decision.

"He has he physical ability and the mental capacity to develop into a starter," Rodriguez said.

Because the Arizona League season ends Aug. 31, Pruett said he will probably get into three or four games. A decision as to whether he will have to attend fall instructional league will be determined later, he said. "It depends on how my arm feels," he said. Rodriguez added that Pruett had a heavy pitching load during the spring and summer.

Pruett was a second-team all-state selection last year as a utility player. He batted .308 and had a 3.87 earned run average in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.