Posted on: Tuesday, June 25, 2002

Iolani grad Ka'aihue signs with Kansas City Royals

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Recent Iolani School graduate Micah Kila Ka'aihue signed with the Kansas City Royals yesterday.

Ka'aihue, a first baseman chosen in the 15th round of the first-year player draft, worked out for Royals' scouting director Deric Ladnier yesterday at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

Hawai'i scout Eric Tokunaga said he got a call from the Royals yesterday informing him of the signing. Ka'aihue, who had signed a letter of intent with Nebraska, became the third Hawai'i player to sign with the Royals since 1999. First baseman Chad Santos was a 22nd-round pick in 1999 out of St. Louis and pitcher Kahi Ka'anoi was a seventh-round pick in 2000 out of Kamehameha.

"We have three first-class players," Tokunaga said. "They're all in the same mold: very humble guys, strong, tough."

Terms were not disclosed, but Ka'aihue's bonus was more than typically given to a 15th-round pick, which is about $20,000-$30,000, Tokunaga said. Ka'aihue left for the Royals' Florida camp yesterday.