UH relies on newcomers at nearly every position

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

This is a breakdown of the Rainbows by position.

Comments on the infielders and outfielders are from hitting coach Brian Green. Volunteer coach Keith Komeiji comments on the catchers. Pitching coach Chad Konishi spoke about the pitchers.

POSITION PLAYERS

Four talented freshmen will help boost the UH pitching corps. They are, from left, Guy McDowell, Keahi Rawlins, Michael Peck and Richie Olsen. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Second base — Freshman Isaac Omura, an all-state selection as a junior at Mid-Pacific Institute, "has emerged as one of our toughest outs," Green said. Although he bats left-handed, he has shown an ability to hit left-handed pitching. "He has a chance to be an outstanding offensive second baseman," Green said ... Schafer Magana, a right-handed hitter, is a good "execution hitter" because of his ability to hit-and-run and bunt. He will back up second, shortstop and third, so his playing time is expected to increase from last year (four games, 10 at-bats).

Shortstop — JC transfer Brian Finegan "is the best defensive shortstop in the conference," Green said. He could bat in the front of the order or ninth and is described as an "execution-type hitter" who will make contact. "I think he's going to surprise a lot of people this year," Green said. "I know we're expecting him to play defense, but I think he's going to contribute a lot at the plate." ... Senior Julian Russell will back up short or second. His strength is his defense.

Third base —Freshman Rocky Russo has impressed coaches with his raw power. "He's probably the strongest kid on the team," Green said. "Especially for a freshman, he hits the ball a long way. He probably hits the ball consistently harder than anyone we have." He will likely bat in the middle of the order. ... Freshman Tyler Wightman "is an exceptionally competitive kid. We know he's going to get a big hit for us this year, just because of his ability to compete," Green said. He will primarily be a pinch-hitter or DH.

Left field — JC transfer Jaziel Mendoza will miss the UCLA series because of a torn right hamstring. Senior Brent Cook, one of 11 returnees, is valued because of his versatility. When Mendoza returns, Cook might move to third, pushing Russo to DH. "We know he's our toughest out," Green said of Cook (.325, 40 runs, 17 steals in 19 attempts), the team's leading hitter last year. "He will bat somewhere between 2-4. He's our team leader. He's the guy that we want to play in a tough situation. ... He's definitely the guy we set the lineup around." Cook was touted as the best baserunner in the WAC in Baseball America's college preview ... Mendoza, when he is healed, "will be an impact guy in our lineup," Green said ... Senior Nate Jackson is still awaiting administrative clearance to play while regaining strength after heart valve replacement surgery in November. "A couple months from now, Nate's going to be a guy that forces our hand to play him," Green said.

Center field —Junior Tim Montgomery was touted as the fastest runner and best defensive outfielder in the WAC in Baseball America's college preview. He is recognized as having the "tools" to be a pro prospect, but has struck out a lot in his previous two seasons. "His ability to put the ball in play has improved drastically," Green said. "I think it's unfair putting the pressure on him to do a little more than he should do. ... I think he's going to surprise people this year." ... Junior Arthur Guillen "is a good defensive center fielder," said Green, who added that if Montgomery struggles, Guillen will play.

Right field —JC transfer Josh Green will bat in the heart of the order and gives the Rainbows much-needed power. "We expect him to play every day," Green said. "We expect him to have a big year. ... he's such an exceptional hitter." ... Senior Kevin Gilbride will be the backup, but is expected to pinch-hit in situations that call for a good fastball hitter. "He can hit a fastball," Green said. "He's got bat speed."

Catcher —Senior Brian Bock, who started in 50 of 56 games last year, will again take the brunt of the work. He batted .188 and tied for the team lead in home runs with Cook (three each). "He handles the pitchers really well," Komeiji said. "He's been coming around hitting-wise. I tell him every day, it doesn't matter (what he hits). 'If you hit, you hit.' His main focus is that he plays defense and he handles the pitchers how we expect him to do it. ... I think he's one of the best catch-and-throw guys in the WAC. He throws out his share of guys (38 of 67 last year)." ... Freshmen Matt Inouye, Drew Jackson and Steve Bell-Irving are all battling for the No. 2 spot. Jackson has "plus power for being a true freshman," Komeiji said. "In two or three years, I think Drew's going to be a special player." ... Inouye, an all-state selection out of Mid-Pacific Institute, "has the best arm" on the team, Komeiji said, but he isn't consistently accurate. He also has the potential to be a "special player." ... Bell-Irving, who played on a Canadian junior team, might have been the least polished. "And he came the longest way of all three of them," Komeiji said of the catchers' development since arriving in the fall. "The kid just wants to learn."

PITCHERS

Rotation — Left-hander Justin Azze, a 10th-round pick by Montreal, is still awaiting administrative clearance, but is projected as a No. 1 or No. 2 starter. "He has an 86-92 mph fastball, a good feel for the curveball and a good changeup," Konishi said of the JC transfer ... Senior right-hander Chris George (6-6, 5.91 ERA) led the staff with 14 starts last year. He will be the No. 1 starter for now. "He's going to anchor our staff," Konishi said. "I think he's going to be a good senior sign (for pro ball). He needed another year just to understand the ability to command his fastball." George complements his fastball (85-88 mph) with an "outstanding slider, an outstanding changeup and a workable curveball," Konishi said ... When right-hander Colby Summer was signed, he was listed as a shortstop/pitcher. At 6 feet 8, he is the tallest player on the team, but needs consistency in body control so his 83 mph fastball can increase to 86-89 "like he's capable of doing," Konishi said. The transfer from Mount Hood Community College (Ore.) was all-state in baseball and basketball. He has a fastball that sinks well, a slider and change. "He finally understands that this is his cup of tea and that playing shortstop is not where he's going to play in the future," Konishi said. Summer will be the No. 2 starter for now.

X Factors — Left-hander Justin Cayetano and right-hander Ricky Bauer are so-called "X factors" because of their abilities to start or relieve. Whoever isn't used in relief the first two games of a weekend series will likely start the third game. Cayetano, a senior who sat out last year after transferring from Washington State, is "the most important person on our staff because he'll have a variety of roles," Konishi said. His fastball is between 81-84 mph and he has a curve, but his best pitch is the change. Until Azze is eligible, Cayetano is the only left-hander on the staff ... Bauer (1-9, 5.79) made the second-most starts last year as a freshman. He has a fastball between 82-87 mph. He has a straight change, a "fosh" that acts like a split-finger fastball and has a "slurve-slider," Konishi said. "What's great about Ricky is he's a strike-thrower," Konishi said. His strikeout-to-walk ratio was 54-14, but sometimes he was too hittable. "He left balls over the plate," Konishi explained. "I think he's done a better job being able to command both parts of the plate this year."

Relievers — Right-hander Clary Carlsen, a JC transfer, has tremendous sink on his fastball (85-89 mph) and has been taught a cutter-slider and power changeup. He could be used in long relief or in situations when a grounder is needed ... Hilo-born right-hander David Daniel, who played high school ball and in JC in Arizona, is a nephew of major league veteran reliever Mike Fetters. Daniel struggled in the fall because his arm angle has been changed from over the top to three-quarters. But Konishi said, "he has good deception because he hides the ball so well." ... Freshman right-hander Reid Horton has a good changeup and might be used in long relief, but is viewed as someone who is a year away, Konishi said ... Senior right-hander Bryan Lee (2-3, 5.95) began as a starter last year, then was moved to the bullpen. "He possess a great fastball (85-92 mph)," said Konishi, who added Lee developed a slider and changeup in the fall. Lee could appear in relief more than once in a weekend series and might be used as a closer. "Mentality-wise, that suits him best because he likes to come in and throw hard," Konishi said. ... Sophomore right-hander Jason Piepmeier (0-3, 7.94) made four starts last year, but needs more consistency. "He needs to trust what he's doing, having that confidence," Konishi said. He will be use in long relief ... Right-hander Nick Ponomarenko, probably the only two-way player on the team, was recruited out of high school by Konishi for University of San Francisco three years ago. He pitched sparingly in high school, but more at Cuesta JC the past two years. He complements a fastball (84-89 mph) with a slider, curve and change.

The Four Freshmen —The Kiddie Corps consists of right-handers Guy McDowell, Richie Olsen, Michael Peck and Keahi Rawlins. McDowell "probably possesses the best fastball of all the freshmen," Konishi said. "He ranges from 87 to 91 (mph) consistently." He has been taught a slider and power change. He could be used in setup or as a closer. "He'll pitch a lot for us this year," Konishi said ... Olsen's strength is a curve. His 82-84 mph fastball will increase with experience, Konishi said. Olsen could be given one of the midweek starts. He is the son of former Rainbow Richard Olsen, who was drafted and signed by Milwaukee in 1978 ... Peck throws a slider and change for strikes, but lacked fastball command in the fall, Konishi said. "But at 6-5, you have to like what he brings in potential. ... Once he gets that consistency of being able to throw his fastball (82-87 mph) for strikes along with the good slider and changeup, I think he'll contribute a lot for us this spring (in relief)." ... Rawlins, a 36th-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies, has the greatest potential of the four. "He has the best velocity, probably the best movement on his fastball," Konishi said. "He's got tremendous sink when it gets to the plate. At 6-5, 240, he hides the ball well. He is going to be special when all is said and done." Rawlins has developed fastball command, as well as a slider and change. Depending on his progress, he could be a midweek or third-game starter, Konishi said. Rawlins, who homered to left-center over the original stadium fence as a freshman for Moloka'i in the 1998 state tournament, was considered for two-way duty when he signed. But head coach Mike Trapasso said Rawlins had some soreness on his outer right wrist that affected his hitting, so he will not be batting this year. Rawlins was picked by Baseball America to be he WAC's Freshman of the Year.