The draft resumes at 6 a.m. HST today. There are up to 50 rounds, but teams may quit selecting at any point.

Suzuki, a 2001 Baldwin High graduate and an All-America catcher for Cal State Fullerton, was picked in the second round (67th overall) by the Oakland Athletics. He was one of two college catchers drafted by the A's with their first six picks within the first two rounds.

Suzuki was one of five players with ties to Hawai'i picked yesterday.

University of Hawai'i senior shortstop Brian Finegan was drafted in the 15th round (437th overall) by the Cleveland Indians. He was the only Rainbow taken yesterday.

Moloka'i High shortstop Milton Loo, a Maui Interscholastic League all-star, was picked in the 17th round by the Cincinnati Reds (498th overall). He was the only Hawai'i high school player taken yesterday.

Meanwhile, two UH recruits were drafted high enough to warrant bonuses that might sway them from college. California outfielder Greg Burns was taken in the third round by the Florida Marlins and New Mexico pitcher/shortstop James Parr was picked in the fourth round by the Atlanta Braves.

Suzuki was expected to be selected early, according to draft publications. He is having an outstanding season with the Titans, who will host Tulane this weekend in an NCAA Super Regional. He is batting .435 with 17 doubles, 15 home runs and 83 RBIs.

"I'm relieved," said Suzuki. "I was waiting on my computer and after the first round, I finally got the call from the Oakland scout."

It wasn't that surprising he was chosen by the A's. In the book "Moneyball," Oakland general manager Billy Beane showed an affinity for players who could control the strike zone. Suzuki is a classic fit, having drawn 43 walks while striking out 23 times.

What was surprising was the A's picked the top two college catchers. They chose South Carolina All-American Landon Powell with their first pick. Powell was a first-team All-American by Sports Weekly, while Suzuki was a first-team selection by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.

Suzuki does not anticipate problems coming to terms.

"I'm pretty sure I'm going to sign," he said.

But that will come after his collegiate season is done. Suzuki hopes it's not until after a College World Series victory.

Finegan

"My mom (Donna) was listening (to the Web cast)," Finegan said. "She was really ecstatic. I was watching the Giants game, relaxing and she started crying and screaming. That's when I knew I went to someone, somewhere."

Finegan batted .339 and led the Rainbows with 47 runs. He played in every game — 111 in all — in his two seasons at UH.

"I'm very happy for Finny," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "It is very well-deserved. He'll go out and be successful at the minor league level. We look forward to following him."

Finegan said he was told he would be assigned to Mahoning Valley (Niles, Ohio) of the short-season Single-A New York-Pennsylvania League. He was told he would be reunited with former Rainbow Tim Montgomery, who was drafted in the 23rd round by the Indians last year.

Although Loo was not named in The Scouting Report (a draft publication) state-by-state list, local scouts said he was among a number of high school players who had a chance at getting drafted.

"He has the tools," said Randy Yamashiro, a scout for the Reds. "Sometimes when I've seen him, he made some difficult plays and made them look easy. I like his overall game. He has the whole package. He's a good, solid prospect."

Loo, 6 feet 1 and 185 pounds, had plans to attend Yavapai junior college in Arizona.

Burns, a 6-4, 180-pound left-handed hitter from Walnut (Calif.) High, batted .462 with four home runs, according to Baseball America Online. He has been timed in the 60-yard dash in 6.4 seconds.

"I don't know what I'm going to do," Burns said from his home in Phillips Ranch, Calif. "I have to sit down and talk with my family."

Burns said he signed with UH because "I felt I had a better chance at starting and I like the way they run their program."

Parr, a 6-1, 185-pound right-hander for La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) High, was 9-0 with a 1.25 earned run average and batted .548 with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs. He also played shortstop, helping La Cueva win the past two 3-A state championships.

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