"I'm not concerned about the draft," said Rodrigues, a 2001 graduate of Kaua'i High. "I just want to come here, do my best for UH."

The Rainbows will be counting on Rodrigues to fill in one of the starters' roles vacated by Chris George, whose eligibility ended last season. He signed with the San Francisco Giants as a free agent after last season. Rodrigues is one of the top 10 draft prospects in the Western Athletic Conference, according to Baseball America.

Rodrigues, who transferred from Los Medanos junior college, is eligible for the draft after this season. He was a 29th-round pick by the Montreal Expos out of high school. He was picked in the 37th-round by the Oakland Athletics after his freshman year at Los Medanos. He was 6-5 with a 3.10 earned run average with 71 strikeouts to 34 walks in 95 innings in his sophomore season, which he was named to the Bay Valley West all-conference first team. But he went undrafted and the Rainbows ended up with the left-hander.

Rainbows pitching coach Chad Konishi saw Rodrigues pitch for Los Medanos and began the recruiting process. A low-to-mid-90 mph fastball is sure to draw attention.

"I figured why not come back home," Rodrigues said. "I'd be closer to family (and play in) nice weather."

Rodrigues said pitching for the Rainbows will enable his family on Kaua'i to watch him in person. But it appears the Garden Isle in general is pleased that he is playing for UH.

"Whenever I go back, people ask, 'Hey, Mark, how are you doing?' " Rodrigues said. "People I don't even know. They say, 'Howzit going?' So I guess they know (I'm with UH)."

Rodrigues is one of four left-handed pitchers on the staff. Last year, Justin Cayetano, done with his eligibility, was the sole lefty.

Meanwhile, junior Ricky Bauer will be the Friday starter, a distinction he earned with a solid second half last season.

The Rainbows averaged 5.5 runs per game last season, but only 3.7 when Bauer started. With any kind of run support, Bauer would have posted more wins than his 3-5 record. His ERA was 3.12 and he led the WAC by allowing .75 walks per game, more than twice as good as Nevada's Justin Sherman's mark of 1.7 per game.

Bauer was invited to the prestigious Cape Cod League during the summer. Top college prospects are usually invited to play in the wooden bat league. Bauer was 3-2 with a 3.66 ERA. His control was still intact, allowing six walks in 52 innings.

But the pitcher to make a substantial improvement in the offseason was sophomore Rich Olsen.

Olsen (2-2, 3.31) made only two starts in his 23 appearances last season. His success came on great command of his curve, which he threw consistently for strikes. Coach Mike Trapasso said Olsen has since developed better command of his fastball.

"He's close to being a true three-pitch guy," Trapasso said.

Olsen will be Saturday's starting pitcher.

The strength of the staff might be its depth. The Rainbows do not have to rush sophomores Keahi Rawlins (5-5, 4.27) and Guy McDowell (1-0, 3.96), or freshman Steven Wright. All are coming off arm tenderness.

Rawlins and Wright have high upsides. Rawlins, drafted in the 36th round by Philadelphia out of Moloka'i High in 2002, is considered a draft prospect next year. Wright had serious negotiations with the San Diego Padres over the summer. He was picked in the 26th round out of Valley View High in California.

"I think coming here will get me ready for pro ball," Wright said. "Plus, I'll have a chance to get a good education and get more mature in both life and baseball."

Wright said the Padres even wanted him to enroll at a JC so his status would change to a draft-and-follow, enabling San Diego to retain "control" of his draft rights in case it wanted to sign him after a season at the JC.

"But I told them if I was going to school, I was going to Hawai'i," he said.

Depth should allow freshmen Kaimi Mead, Jonathan Serapion, Matt Buck, Darrell Fisherbaugh and walk-on Isaac Kamai to be used in situations that will aid their development.

Senior Clary Carlsen will figure prominently in UH's plans because of his flexibility to spot start, long relieve or close, Trapasso said. Carlsen (4-3, 5 saves, 2.08) was the only Rainbow named to the WAC's preseason all-conference team.

Other newcomers on the staff are JC transfers Stephen Bryant and Chuck Withers.

Colby Summer, a 6-8 right-hander, is not expected to pitch this season as he rehabilitates his elbow following Tommy John surgery.