Two local prep players commit to Rainbows

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two more Hawai'i high school players have verbally committed to play baseball at the University of Hawai'i.

Waimea High third baseman Leonard Zalopany III and Mid-Pacific Institute outfielder Ryan Asato said they will sign letters of intent with the Rainbows. The early signing period for baseball is Wednesday through Nov. 19.

Zalopany, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound left-handed hitter, is ranked 234th among the nation's top 400 high school prospects in a list compiled and updated periodically by Perfect Game USA for The Scouting Report, a publication about pro prospects.

"I've been watching them the past few years," Zalopany said. "My dad asked me, 'You sure you don't want to go to the Mainland?' I want to stay in Hawai'i."

He has been the starting third baseman for Waimea since his freshman year.

Zalopany said the Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers scouts have shown interest. If drafted, he said he would sign "if the money's there."

Asato, a 6-foot, 200-pound left-handed hitter, was an Interscholastic League of Honolulu all-star last season.

"I just wanted to stay home and (UH) has a very good program," Asato said.

Other local players committing to UH earlier were MPI pitcher Harrison Kuroda, 'Aiea catcher Aaron Asher and Waiakea pitchers Myles Ioane and Ronnie Loeffler. Shortstop Joe Spiers and outfielder Greg Burns, both California prep players, have also committed.

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