UH ace Coleman forgoes senior year, signs with A's

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i baseball team will lose its ace.

Jeff Coleman, a right-handed starting pitcher said yesterday he signed with the Oakland Athletics, who made him their 21st-round draft pick last week.

Coleman, 20, who completed his junior season with the Rainbows, said he will report to the club's rookie club in Phoenix, Ariz., on Wednesday. He will be assigned to either short-season Class A at Vancouver, B.C., of the Northwest League, or to one of Oakland's two Class A affiliates in the California League, he said.

Coleman did not disclose his signing bonus amount.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Coleman, the only Rainbow drafted, led all starting pitchers with an 8-6 record and an earned run average of 3.75. He had 97 strikeouts and 45 walks in 122¡ innings. In 17 starts, he had three complete games, including a shutout.

From his home in San Dimas, Calif., Coleman said new UH coach Mike Trapasso called him yesterday before the Athletics' scout visited in the afternoon.

"(Trapasso) seems like a really good guy. But the fact is I wanted to play pro ball," Coleman said.

Coleman, who transferred to UH from Mt. San Antonio junior college, said his experience at Hawai'i allowed him to mature.

"The people of Hawai'i teach you a lot about respect," he said. "My manners got better, and as a baseball player, I grew tremendously."