Posted on: Monday, November 26, 2001

UH signs top prep player in Colorado

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i baseball coach Mike Trapasso's first true recruiting class might be one of the best in school history, as the top high school players in two states are among the 11 recruits signed for the 2003 season.

Moloka'i High pitcher Keahi Rawlins, the No. 1 high school prospect in Hawai'i, and catcher Drew Jackson, the top prep prospect in Colorado both signed with UH. Rawlins, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound right-hander, is ranked 126th nationally in Prospects Plus recruiting service's top 300. Jackson, a 6-0, 200-pound senior at Standley Lake High in Westminster, Colo., is ranked 160th.

As reported earlier, local recruits also committing to UH are all-state second baseman Isaac Omura and catcher Matt Inouye, both of Mid-Pacific Institute, and right-handed pitchers Guy McDowell of St. Louis School and Kamaile Santos of Kailua High.

Santos was second-team all-state as a utility player, Inouye was honorable mention all-state, and McDowell was an honorable mention in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

UH has also signed infielder Rocky Russo of Salinas High in Monterey, Calif., first baseman Tyler Wightman of Poway (Calif.) High and catcher/infielder Steve Bell-Irving of Burnaby, British Columbia.

Junior college transfers coming here are left-handed pitcher Justin Azze of Orange Coast College and right-handed pitcher Nick Ponomarenko of Cuesta College.

Jackson is a power hitter. "I like his offensive potential," Trapasso said. "He's a student of the game. He's a very versatile guy who can play other positions (corner infield and outfield)."

Russo (5 feet 10, 195 pounds) is a corner infielder who "has tremendous power potential," Trapasso said. "We really liked him. He's a very hard-nosed type of player."

Bell-Irving (6-2, 185) was discovered at an Arizona showcase by the UH coaching staff. "He's very athletic, very versatile," Trapasso said. Bell-Irving has been catching less than a year, but also can play the corner infield positions and the outfield.

Wightman (6-2, 180) had three home runs and 25 RBIs last season at Poway, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. He comes from a talent-rich area, which features national power Rancho Bernardo. "I think his best baseball is still ahead of him," said Trapasso, who added that Wightman has the potential to fill out to 210-215 pounds.

Azze (6-3, 190) is a projected starting pitcher. He was 1-2 with a 6.51 earned run average. In his eight appearances, five were starts. But he had a good strikeouts-to-walk ratio (25-11) in 27· innings. "He was a good sign for us," said Trapasso, who added that Azze is expected to be taken in the June draft.

Ponomarenko (6-1, 180) is "someone who will get a lot of exposure," Trapasso said.

In an unrelated signing, right-handed pitcher Chris George from Cypress College will join the Rainbows in the spring semester, Trapasso said. He played on the same summer league team as UH players Chad Boudon and Aaron Pribble, as well as California transfer Brent Cook. "He has an excellent chance to compete for a weekend (starting) spot," Trapasso said.

This was Trapasso's first true recruiting class. He did make last-minute pickups after being named coach in May to help fill gaps for this season's team.

Trapasso said he has about eight more recruiting visits to use and anticipates he might lose some recruits to the draft in June. The Rainbows also have 10 seniors to replace next season.

Workouts resume Jan. 7. There are 65 days to the season opener against Florida State.