Ex-Iolani baseball player's stock rising

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Iolani School graduate Kainoa Obrey is ranked eighth in Baseball America's top 10 prospects in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

Obrey, who returns to Brigham Young next month for his junior season, was invited to play in the summer collegiate league that Baseball America calls "one of the fastest-rising summer college leagues."

Obrey, who played for the Newport (R.I.) Gulls, batted .276 with 10 doubles, one triple and six home runs. His 17 extra-base hits tied for the league lead and his 30 RBI ranked second in the league, which uses wooden bats.

"Just the repetition of playing every day" helped him, Obrey said. "Using the wooden bat especially was good. You work out the bad parts of your swing, makes you swing more compact. Plus there's good pitching."

Obrey, a designated hitter, third baseman and first baseman, was given the 10th Player Award for his versatility.

Obrey is eligible for the June draft.

"I just want to keep improving," he said. "I want to work on my defense and speed. Keep improving my bat."

Obrey's BYU teammate and Iolani classmate Doug Jackson also played for Newport.