Posted on: Friday, August 29, 2003

Hawai'i prep star chooses college over pro contract

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Although he technically hasn't stepped into a classroom at the University of San Diego, shortstop Keoni Ruth said he will keep his baseball scholarship instead of signing professionally with the Kansas City Royals.

Ruth, The Advertiser's Player of the Year who helped lead Kamehameha to the state baseball championship, arrived at the San Diego campus yesterday for orientation. Classes do not begin until Wednesday. Once he steps into the classroom, the Royals, who drafted him in the 17th round, lose control of his signing rights. It also means that since Ruth will play at a four-year college, he will not become eligible for the draft until after three seasons.

"It was a little hard," Ruth said of his decision. "I really wanted to play professional baseball. The terms (of a signing agreement) just didn't work out. But my education is important, too."

In his senior year for the Warriors, Ruth batted .556 with a 1.063 slugging percentage.

• Fall ball: Three players who played high school ball in Hawai'i have been invited to the Arizona Fall League.

Dane Sardinha, a 1997 Kamehameha graduate, has been invited back for a second season with the Scottsdale Scorpions. He batted .311 last year in the AFL. He is playing at the Cincinnati Reds' Double-A affiliate in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Also invited are former Kaua'i High and UH-Hilo pitcher Tyler Yates and Saint Louis graduate Chad Santos, a first baseman.

Yates is at Triple-A Norfolk, Va., in the New York Mets' system. He has been assigned to the Peoria Saguaros. Santos is playing at Double-A Wichita in the Royals' organization. He has been assigned to the Peoria Javelinas.

• SHORT HOPS: Among other Hawai'i players who have played in the AFL are San Francisco Giants pitcher Jerome Williams (Waipahu) and outfielder Shane Victorino (St. Anthony), who started the season with the San Diego Padres. The Padres claimed Victorino in the Rule 5 draft in December. He has since been returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who sent him to Double-A Jacksonville, Fla. He has since been promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042