Posted on: Friday, November 26, 2004
Punahou's Ko to BYU, Nakata off to Penn State
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Punahou School senior shortstop Landon Nakata said he has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Penn State University.
"It's a good opportunity for me," he said. "It's far away, but I'll give it a try."
He is the second Buffanblu to sign with a Division I program. First baseman Kasey Ko signed with Brigham Young. Both have been on the varsity since their freshman year. They each made key contributions to the Buffanblu state championship team last season.
Nakata played summer ball with ABD, or Amateur Baseball Development, which is based out of California and coached by Mike Spiers, father of University of Hawai'i freshman infielder Joe Spiers. ABD played for about three weeks in Georgia, Nakata said. Other schools, such as Santa Clara, Gonzaga, St. Mary's, UC Irvine and Southern Utah (coached by Punahou alumnus David "Boy" Eldredge) also talked to him, but none offered. Nakata said Penn State made an offer by phone about three weeks ago.
In the May 28 edition of "Ask BA" on the Baseball America Web site, executive editor Jim Callis was asked about Hawai'i prospects for 2005. He wrote: "There's no obvious Hawaii draftee for 2005. Rainbows catcher Matt Inouye, an athletic line-drive hitter with a knack for getting on base, is the best candidate. The best prep prospects all play for Punahou: corner infielder Kasey Ko, shortstop Landon Nakata and right-hander Jared Pate."
Of course, assessments will change as the players enter the coming season.
Other players signing letters of intent were Mid-Pacific pitcher Jayson Kramer and Roosevelt catcher Kevin Fujii. Both signed with Hawai'i.
UH catcher Inouye on Wallace 'watch list'
University of Hawai'i junior outfielder Matt Inouye is one of 58 players on the "watch list" for the Brooks Wallace Award, given to the nation's top college player, according to the College Baseball Foundation, which sponsors the award.
Baldwin High alumnus Kurt Suzuki won the award last season, the inaugural year of the award. The list will be trimmed to 12 by May 24, 2005, and will be pared to three finalists after the NCAA Super Regionals.
Inouye batted .326 and led the team with 20 doubles, 48 RBIs and 32 walks and tied for the team lead with five home runs and 13 steals.
Also, in the latest issue of The Scouting Report, a recruiting service publication, infielder Joe Spiers and left-handed pitcher Myles Ioane, of Waiakea, were listed among the top 65 freshmen in the country. Spiers is ranked 48th and Ioane is 51st. In Baseball America's team report cards assessing the last draft, Ioane was dubbed, "The One Who Got Away." The report said, "(Ioane) has some polish and projection, but he opted to go to college at Hawaii."
Former Rainbows shortstop Brian Finegan, taken in the 15th round by Cleveland, was listed in the Indians report card as "The Best Defensive Player" of their draft "despite his 22 errors in 68 (New York-Pennsylvania) games. His hands and arm are solid."
Series ring for Bosox scout Komatsubara
He didn't get a hit or throw a pitch or get a put out for the World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Yet, Hawai'i's Wally Komatsubara, a scout for the organization for five years, will be getting his own World Series ring.
Komatsubara said when the scouts have their annual meeting in Boston next month, they will have their fingers sized for the rings, which are usually presented at the home opener of the following season.
Komatsubara and the other scouts were invited to the World Series games in Boston. He said they were in the outfield seats at Fenway Park. It turned out to be a blessing.
"The players were tossing us baseballs when they came out," he said.
Mets' relief pitcher Yates out of options
New York Mets relief pitcher Tyler Yates, of Kaua'i High and UH-Hilo, said he is out of options, so he must either make the 25-man roster or clear waivers to be sent down to the minors this season.
Yates was here over the weekend, along with a number of other Hawai'i big leaguers, assisting with Dusty Baker clinic, which was sponsored by Hawai'i Winter Baseball. He is looking forward to new manager Willie Randolph.
"He'll do a lot of good things for us," Yates said. "He'll turn things around for the Mets."
Yates is among six players with ties to Hawai'i on 40-man rosters. The others are Kansas City Royals infielder Chris Truby (Damien), Cincinnati Reds catcher Dane Sardinha (Kamehameha), San Francisco Giants pitcher Jerome Williams (Waipahu), Florida Marlins pitcher Justin Wayne (Punahou) and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Brandon League (Saint Louis).
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
