Posted on: Sunday, June 1, 2003
Hawai'i prospects to watch
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft starts at 7 a.m. Tuesday and continues at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Hawai'i time.
The draft lasts 50 rounds, but a team may stop drafting at any time. The first day is expected to last 20 rounds, according to Baseball America Online.
Eligible for the draft are residents of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, as well as foreigners enrolled at U.S. high schools and colleges. Of that group, are high school graduates who have not attended junior college or college; college players who have completed their junior or senior seasons, or are at least 21; junior college players; and anyone at least 21 within 45 days of the draft.
Unlike the football and basketball drafts, there is no live telecast of the event and for the most part, the names are recognizable generally within regions.
The only way to keep up with the draft is through the Internet. The best way to find the Webcast is via via baseballamerica.com or www.MLB.com
Below is a list of players to watch. It does not mean each will be drafted, but their names surfaced when scouts and coaches were asked about potential draft picks. The players listed have ties to Hawai'i, such as having played high school ball here; being from here, but playing on the Mainland; transferred from UH to another school; or played for any of the Hawai'i colleges.
High school players
• Kala Ka'aihue, Iolani: Catcher signed with Hawai'i ... attended Atlanta Braves workout ... brother Kila signed with Nebraska, but was drafted and signed by Kansas City last year ... father, Kala Ka'aihue, played professionally, including for the Hawai'i Islanders.
• Kaimi Mead, Roosevelt: Left-handed pitcher signed with Hawai'i.
• Gered Mochizuki, Baldwin: Shortstop plans to attend Yavapai JC.
• Vance Otake, Maui: Right-handed pitcher/catcher was invited to walk on at Hawai'i, but changed his mind and will walk on at Cal State-Fullerton, where he will primarily catch.
• Keoni Ruth, Kamehameha: Shortstop signed with UC San Diego.
• Jeff Syrop, Castle: 6-foot-5 left-hander considering Taft JC ... San Francisco Giants showing interest as a "draft-and-follow."
Others
• Matt Buck, Cactus Shadows (Cave Creek, Ariz.): Signed with Hawai'i ... left-handed pitcher among top 10 Arizona high school prospects.
• Jeff Pry, Franklin (Portland, Ore.): Signed with Hawai'i ... 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher was ranked 230th in Prospects Plus' top 350 high school players in the nation.
• Steven Wright, Valley View (Moreno Valley, Calif.): 6-2 right-hander ranked 200th by Prospects Plus ... Was 10-0 with 1.05 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 60 innings.
College and JC players
• Justin Azze, Hawai'i: Junior left-handed pitcher sat out because of transfer issues, but still impressed scouts at a private workout ... drafted in 10th round by Montreal in last year's draft out of Orange Coast JC.
• Brandon Bailey, Sacramento City JC: Outfielder signed with Hawai'i ... drafted by Toronto in 45th round last year ... batted .292 with 6 HRs and .454 on-base average. Stole 11-of-18.
• Chad Boudon, Washington: Junior outfielder transferred after three years (one medical redshirt) at Hawai'i ... All-Pac-10 first-team honors after setting school record with 21 HRs, which tied for the conference lead and was third in the nation.
• Brent Cook, Hawai'i: Senior outfielder/infielder earned all-Western Athletic Conference first-team honors at utility ... started all 56 games, batting .288 while leading team in runs (41), walks (38) and steals (14-of-16) ... one scout likes his leadership qualities that should serve well for the younger players in pro ball.
• Brian Finegan, Hawai'i: Junior shortstop started all 56 games, batting .280 while leading team with hits (63) and tying for lead with 32 RBIs.
• Doug Jackson, Brigham Young: Senior outfielder, an Iolani graduate, earned all-Mountain West Conference first-team honors ... started 53 of 54 games, batting .367, leading team with 71 runs, 80 hits and 8 triples. He committed only one error (.992 fielding percentage).
• Evan Maclane, Feather River JC: Left-handed pitcher signed with Hawai'i ... Golden Valley Conference Player of the Year after finishing 11-1 with 1.31 ERA. Had 105 strikeouts to 14 walks in 102· innings.
• Tim Montgomery, Hawai'i: Junior started 44 games in center field ... led team with 9 HRs, but batted .245 and struck out 44 times.
• Kainoa Obrey, Brigham Young: Junior third baseman, an Iolani graduate, was a medical redshirt ... drafted in 11th round by Kansas City last year despite missing most of the season with back pain ... started 53 of 54 games, batting .362, tying for team lead with 11 HRs and leading with 65 RBIs ... named in top 10 prospects in the 2001 New England Collegiate summer league.
• Mark Rodrigues, Los Medanos JC: Left-handed pitcher signed with Hawai'i ... drafted out of Kaua'i High in 2001 (29th round by Montreal) and last year (37th round by Oakland) ... 6-5, 3.10 ERA. Had 71 strikeouts to 34 walks in 95· innings ... has been clocked in 90 mph range, one scout said.
Others to consider
• Brian Bock, Hawai'i: Senior catcher.
• Steve Bryant, Feather River JC: Right-handed pitcher signed with Hawai'i.
• Derek Dupree, Shorecrest (Seattle): Prep outfielder signed with Hawai'i.
• Micah Furtado, Lewis-Clark State: Redshirt sophomore infielder from Kapa'a High.
• Tom Henderson, UH-Hilo: Junior corner infielder.
• Jonathan Serapion, Pearl City: Missed senior season with broken leg. Signed with Hawai'i.
• Keven Whalen, Mid-Pacific: ILH first-team first baseman.
• Cortland Wilson, Utah: Junior shortstop transferred from UH.
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