"I’m relieved," said the 2001 Baldwin High graduate. "I was waiting on my computer and after the first round, I finally got the call from the Oakland scout."

The Athletics took two catchers with their first six picks; they selected South Carolina All-America catcher Landon Powell in the first round. Oakland had six picks within the first two rounds, including the supplemental or "sandwich" round.

"It really doesn’t matter as long as I get a chance," Suzuki said of the A’s taking two catchers.

Negotiations aren’t expected to be a problem, said Suzuki, who is using Sports Council as his adviser, the same agency that a number of Hawai'i players use, such as Benny Agbayani and Shane Victorino.

"I’m pretty sure I’m going to sign," said Suzuki, who is a junior.

Suzuki will be concentrating on Tulane, which will play his Titans in a Super Regional this weekend at Fullerton, Calif. The Titans came from the losers’ bracket to down Pepperdine, 15-1 and 16-3, on Sunday to win their regional.

"Coming back to win two games on Sunday was big," Suzuki said of the Titans two victories against Pepperdine. "We came out, swung the bats and came out on top. That was awesome."

Also, the University of Hawai‘i had two recruits for the 2005 season picked.

Outfielder Greg Burns, of Walnut (Calif.) High, was picked in the third round (98th overall) by the Florida Marlins and right-handed pitcher James Parr, of La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) High, was selected in the fourth round (131st overall), by the Atlanta Braves.

Since they were picked within the top five rounds, UH coach Mike Trapasso said they might lose both players, who are expected to get lucrative bonuses to sway them away from school.

University of Hawai‘i shortstop Brian Finegan was picked in the 15th round by the Cleveland Indians in today Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

He is the first Rainbow to get picked so far.

Moloka‘i High shortstop Milton Loo was the only Hawai‘i high school player taken in today’s draft.

Loo was selected in the 17th round by the Cincinnati Reds.

The draft ended after 18 rounds and will resume at 6 a.m., HST, tomorrow. The draft lasts up 50 rounds, but teams may quit picking before the 50th round.