UH future on Movers' squad
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
 |
| Keahi Rawlins, front, Isaac Omura, back left, Kamaile Santos and Matt Inouye are UH recruits who will play for the Hawai'i Island Movers this summer.
Eugene Tanner • Honolulu Advertiser |
The Hawai'i Island Movers collegiate summer league team opens the season Thursday against the San Mateo (Calif.) Bulldogs. Doubleheaders are set for 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday with a single game at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Unlike past years, the Movers will not have any University of Hawai'i players. That's because Keith Komeiji, a volunteer assistant for UH, is the Movers' coach. NCAA rules prohibit a coach from coaching his own players in the offseason. But all isn't wasted for UH. Recruits who have yet to enter UH can play for Komeiji.
"Of course we want to win, but this is more for (the recruits) to get some experience," Komeiji said at yesterday's first Movers' workout at Les Murakami Stadium.
Movers already signed by UH are second baseman Isaac Omura and catcher/outfielder Matt Inouye, both recent graduates of Mid-Pacific Institute; Kailua pitcher Kamaile Santos; Moloka'i pitcher Keahi Rawlins and St. Louis pitcher Guy McDowell.
Colorado high school recruit Drew Jackson, a catcher, is expected to join the team tomorrow. Two California recruits, infielders Rocky Russo and Tyler Wightman, will join the team when it plays in California.
Other Movers expected to join UH are pitchers Mike Peck (California) and Richard Olsen, a recent graduate of Iolani.
Rounding out the roster are players from here who play at Mainland schools, as well as some UH-Hilo and Hawai'i Pacific players, and several players from the Mainland.
Rawlins, UH's biggest local recruit, figuratively and physically, is looking forward to his first step toward the next level of play.
"It's a good way to build friendships with my future teammates and getting to know the coaches," Rawlins said.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-handed pitcher/first baseman was drafted in the 36th round by the Philadelphia Phillies last week. He said he will go to UH.
Although Rawlins is projected as a two-way player for the Rainbows, he will only pitch for the Movers, Komeiji said.
Another draftee is Inouye. Although he has been a catcher the past two season for the Owls, he will play the outfield for the Movers. Inouye, at 5 feet 10 and 165 pounds, isn't the stereotypical lumbering catcher. He has played the outfield before and has a strong arm. Although Inouye will play the outfield in the summer, catching could still be in his future when UH starts, Komeiji said.
Inouye was drafted in the 41st round by the Boston Red Sox last week, but he said he is likely to play at UH.
Another Mover drafted was former Campbell High pitcher Chad Bailey. The 2001 graduate was picked in the 47th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of North Idaho junior college. He indicated that he is a draft-and-follow, meaning the Dodgers have until a week before next year's draft to evaluate and sign him. Otherwise, he becomes eligible for the draft again.
The Movers' youngest member is Iolani senior-to-be Kala Ka'aihue, a catcher. He is the only prep player on the team. Ka'aihue's brother, Micah, was drafted in the 15th round by the Kansas City Royals.
When the Movers take a nearly three-week road trip to California next month, they will play some teams with UH players.
The Santa Barbara Foresters have catcher Brian Bock and pitcher Ricky Bauer; the Santa Maria Indians have outfielder Kevin Gilbride and pitcher Chad Giannetti; the San Francisco Seals have shortstop Julian Russell and outfielder Arthur Guillen; and the Salinas Packers have pitcher Jason Piepmeier.
Assisting Komeiji is former UH pitcher Richard Olsen, who played professionally in the U.S. and Italy, and Leilehua High head coach Garrett Yukumoto, a former Hawai'i Pacific player.
Notes: Former UH catcher Grady Symonds has signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, said his father, Triton College coach Robert Symonds. Symonds, who played sparingly as a backup to starter Brian Bock, was drafted in the 39th round last week. The elder Symonds wasn't surprised his son was drafted because Grady had drawn scouts' attention before transferring to UH from Triton. "He's happy, I'm happy," said coach Symonds. He said Grady left for camp Sunday. ... Pepperdine junior infielder Duke Sardinha said he will be working out with UH volunteer assistant Keith Komeiji to learn the catching position. Sardinha is still negotiating with the Colorado Rockies, who drafted him in the 19th round. Sardinha is learning to be a catcher because the Rockies feel that's his future position. ... Two former Hawai'i prep players were named to the Midwest League (low single-A) all-star team West squad. Pitcher Kahi Ka'anoi (Kamehameha '00) of Burlington (Royals) and shortstop Rex Rundgren (Mid-Pacific '99) of Kane County (Marlins) will play in the midseason contest on June 18 in Lansing, Mich. Ka'anoi is 1-3 with a 3.60 earned run average. In 70 innings, he has 46 strikeouts and 19 walks. Rundgren was batting .193.
