The Rainbows' recruiting class has 21 players, including five who were selected in the Major League Baseball first-year player draft. Left-handed pitcher Justin Azze, a junior college transfer from Orange Coast, was a 10th-round pick by the Montreal Expos; right-hander pitcher/first baseman Keahi Rawlins, an all-state selection out of Moloka'i High, was a 36th-round selection by the Philadelphia Phillies; right-handed pitcher Nicholas Ponomarenko, a JC transfer from Cuesta, was picked in the 38th round by Montreal; and catcher Matt Inouye, an all-state selection out of Mid-Pacific Institute, was chosen in the 41st round by the Boston Red Sox.

Another JC transfer, a 6-foot-8, 225-pound right-handed pitcher/shortstop Colby Summer was drafted in the 38th-round by the Seattle Mariners out of high school in 2000.

Another notable recruit is California JC All-America outfielder Josh Green.

"I thought we did a good job," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "Anytime you get five drafted kids to show up and a JC All-American, you know you're on the right track. It's good to see a publication like Collegiate Baseball recognize that we're doing things the right way and that we're headed in the right direction."

Trapasso credited assistant Chad Konishi, the team's recruiting coordinator, for a successful recruiting class.

Although Trapasso is entering his second season with UH, this past season was considered his first true recruiting class. He was hired out of Georgia Tech in May 2001, which was after the fall 2000 and spring 2001 recruiting periods. Trapasso earned a reputation as a strong recruiter while with the Yellow Jackets. His former employer has carried on his success, as Georgia Tech's recruiting class is ranked first by Collegiate Baseball.