Another Sardinha may have pro baseball shot

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

For the fifth time since 1997, someone from the Sardinha household is expected to get a phone call during Major League Baseball's first-year player draft.

Pepperdine's Duke Sardinha (Kamehameha '98) is expected to be selected in the Major League first-year player draft for the second year in a row. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

It wouldn't be his first time; the Colorado Rockies picked him in the 41st round last year, the 1,233rd player taken, or, 1,199 slots behind his kid brother Bronson (Kamehameha '01), who signed a $1 million bonus with the New York Yankees.

Duke (Kamehameha '98) was picked as a draft-eligible sophomore despite warnings he planned to return to Pepperdine. Besides, Duke was coming off an wrist injury, having missed part of his collegiate season.

Still, the Rockies offered him a $100,000 bonus, substantially more than what a 41st rounder would get. There is no guarantee he could get the same offer this time around, but he understands.

"It's something I have to talk to my parents about," he said. "I have to weigh all my options."

But the Sardinha family is familiar with the routine. Ever since older brother Dane was a second-round pick by the Kansas City Royals out of Kamehameha in 1997, the family has heard the songs and seen the dance that are called negotiations.

Dane could not reach an agreement with the Royals, turning down a reported $750,000 bonus. He went to Pepperdine instead and three years later was a second-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds. Instead of a bonus, he signed a major league contract, automatically placing him on the Reds' 40-man roster.

When Bronson was picked last year, it was the third time a Sardinha brother was drafted. When Duke got his call the next day, it was the fourth. If he gets one this week, that it will make five.

Duke, who played second base, third base and right field for the Waves, is projected as a catcher. He said his build (6-0, 195) is the reason the pros are asking him to change positions.

"I've never done (catching), but I'm open to it," he said.

Duke, still in southern California, is scheduled for a private catching audition for Rockies personnel today. He and Iolani School's Micah Kila Ka'aihue were at a New York Yankees tryout yesterday at El Camino College.

Duke said he had no regrets about returning to Pepperdine; it moved him a year closer to attaining his degree in sports administration. He started in 60 of the team's 63 games, hitting .315 with 20 doubles, 11 home runs and 45 RBIs.

He is ranked 27th among southern California's top 40 four-year collegiate players by Prospects Plus, a draft analyst publication.

Other 4-year college players

Shane Komine (Kalani '98), Nebraska's two-time All-America right-handed pitcher, ranked the second-best four-year college player for the state of Nebraska. He is hoping his stock has improved from last year, when the Cardinals took him in the 19th round, offering a $50,000 bonus. Komine returned for his senior year at Nebraska because teams did not agree to his terms of a six-figure bonus.

But unless a player can make an incredible stride from his previous season, like former Rice pitcher Kenny Baugh did last year, college seniors lose negotiating leverage. At the time, Komine said he was willing to take the risk by returning to school.

Komine, pitching for the Cornhuskers in the NCAA Regionals, was 8-0 with a 1.92 earned run average. He had 99 strikeouts in 79¡ innings.

At the University of Hawai'i, junior right-handed pitchers Chris George and Bryan Lee are possible picks, coach Mike Trapasso said. They were the only two players listed by Prospect Plus under Hawai'i college players.

George (6-6, 5.91 ERA) was the most successful UH starter. Lee (2-3, 5.95) started the season in the rotation, but finished as a reliever.

Hawai'i Pacific junior outfielder T.C. Everett also is a possible pick. He batted .317 starting in 47 of 49 games. He was 8 of 9 in stolen base attempts. He attended a Los Angeles Dodgers tryout last week.

Junior college players

The best part about attending a junior college is a player is available for the draft every year.

Los Medanos (Pittsburg, Calif.) freshman left-handed pitcher Mark Rodrigues (Kaua'i '01) was a 29th-round pick by Montreal last year.

Also picked last year, but did not sign was Saddleback (Mission Viejo, Calif.) sophomore left-hander Neto Quiroz (Kaua'i '98). He was a 38th-round pick by Cleveland, but returned to Saddleback.

Also drafted out of Saddleback last year was left-hander Reid Santos. He had elbow surgery last July and spent the year rehabilitating by sitting out the season, his father, Aldon Santos said.

The younger Santos also was drafted out of Castle High in 2000.

High school

Iolani's Ka'aihue and Moloka'i High's Keahi Rawlins are the top two prep prospects for the state by Prospects Plus. Both are first baseman and right-handed pitchers.

Besides the Yankees, Ka'aihue has had tryouts locally and on the Mainland with Tampa Bay, San Francisco and Kansas City. The son of former Hawai'i Islanders player and bullpen coach Kala Ka'aihue has expressed a desire to go pro. Otherwise, he has a scholarship to Nebraska.

Despite all the hoopla that comes with being a prospect, Ka'aihue is enjoying the ride.

"It's super fun," he said. "I'm really enjoying it."

Rawlins, who has signed with the University of Hawai'i, said the hard part of the draft is waiting for it to come. Still, he's taking things in stride.

"It's kind of fun," he said. "I'm just more curious (about what will happen.)"

Also sparking interest is Kamehameha center fielder Tyler Perkins. He had a tryout with the Dodgers — at Dodger Stadium no less — last week. He also had tryouts earlier in Hawai'i with Philadelphia and Atlanta. The Dodgers and Braves are showing the most interest, he said.

Perkins' asset is his speed; he was was second in the 100-meters at 11.09 seconds at the state high school meet.

Perkins signed with the University of Portland about two weeks ago. His decision was between the Pilots and UH.

"It was a tough decision," he said. "I was torn between the two. But Oregon is nice; I've been there before and I just wanted to get away."

Other prep players listed by Prospects Plus are Moloka'i infielder Ikaika Lester and Kailua High pitcher Steve Kamaile Santos.

Some scouts also believe Mid-Pacific catcher Matt Inouye and Wai'anae left-handed pitcher Dane Awana are sleepers in the draft.

Others

Of interest to UH baseball fans are the Rainbows' incoming players. A number of them are ranked in their areas by Prospects Plus.

Poway (Calif.) corner infielder/outfielder Tyler Wightman is ranked 36th among southern California high school players, while Woodbridge (Irvine, Calif.) right-handed pitcher Mike Peck is No. 79.

Standley Lake (Westminster, Colo.) catcher Drew Jackson is ranked fifth in his state, while catcher Steve Bell-Irving is 17th among Canadian prep prospects. Bell-Irving played for a junior national team.

Also, Orange Coast (Costa Mesa, Calif.) left-hander Justin Azze is coming off a strong season. He was 9-5 with a 2.74 ERA. He was a second-team Orange Empire/Mission Conference selection.