Iolani grad DeRenne facing crossroad
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Keoni DeRenne has been playing baseball for a good part of his life. But this season might be the most crucial for the 1997 Iolani School graduate.
DeRenne, a middle infielder, will enter his fourth professional season in the Atlanta Braves organization when he goes to minor league camp next week. He was drafted by the Braves in the 12th round of the 2000 first-year player draft out of the University of Arizona.
Last season, he repeated Double-A at Greenville (S.C.) and showed improvement from the year before. He raised his batting average from .238 in 2001 to .275 in 2002. Still, he does not know if he will return to Greenville again or get promoted to Triple-A Richmond (Va.).
"For me, I think it's going to be a make it or break it turning point to at least show I can step it up to another level," DeRenne said. "(I want the Braves to say) 'Keoni is someone we want to keep in our organization.' I wouldn't say it's crucial on the pressure side, but crucial in the sense this will answer a lot of question in their minds. If I can put together another solid year, then I'd put the pressure on them to make a move."
Since he completed his third season after signing out of college, the Braves "protected" him on their Triple-A roster, yet he was still eligible for the Rule 5 draft. He said that means if he had been selected in the Rule 5 draft, he would have had to remain on that team's roster at the next highest level, which would be in the big leagues. At the same time, that does not mean he will automatically be assigned to the Braves' Triple-A club.
"I think I'm ready to play Triple-A," he said. "I keep it in my mind when I work out that this is what I want. One step at a time and try not to look too far into the future. My goal is to make the Triple-A team and show I can perform."
A stumbling block for the 23-year-old DeRenne is the Braves are already deep with young middle infielders. Second baseman Marcus Giles is 24 and shortstop Rafael Furcal is 26. Up-and-coming shortstop Wilson Betemit, the No. 2 prospect in the Braves system by Baseball America, is 21.
"Who knows? My best opportunity might not come with Atlanta," he said. "I hope it is because I really enjoy the organization, like the people around, like the way they do business. I love playing baseball."
Since he enjoyed success last season, DeRenne said he feels good about this season. But he's mentally prepared for whatever his future holds.
If thing don't pan out, he said, "for me it's hard to see it come to an end, but somewhere along the road it will. Then reality will set in whether I go into coaching or go back to school and graduate. But I don't want to look at the negative side of it. I feel healthy and good."
On the other side, whether at Double-A or Triple-A, he could get promoted to the big leagues. He could have a breakout season or the Braves could come down with injuries. He said it's always in the back of his mind that he must be prepared for the day that all minor leaguers dream about: getting the call.
"I'd be in shock that I'd reach that level," he said. "But when I get there, I want to feel I deserve it."
