Iolani graduate signs with Braves
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Kala Ka'aihue, a 2003 Iolani graduate, yesterday signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves.
"I'm happy and ready to go out and play ball," Ka'aihue said.
Ka'aihue
Ka'aihue will report Friday to the Braves' training facility in Celebration City, Fla.
Ka'aihue played for South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, where he helped lead the Cougars to the NJCAA World Series. The Cougars were eliminated after four games of the double-elimination tournament. He batted .286 with a .424 on-base average with 11 doubles, two triples, six home runs and a team-leading 44 RBIs during the regular season. In the World Series, he was 8 for 18 with four home runs and eight RBIs.
"Atlanta really liked what I did during the regular season," Ka'aihue said. "They also liked the numbers I put up in the World Series."
Although Ka'aihue was a catcher most of his life, he played first base this season. The Braves signed him as a first baseman, he said.
"But it's up to them," he said. "They know I can play catcher and first base. They liked me for my hitting."
Besides the Braves, other teams courting him were Tampa Bay, Boston, Detroit, Texas, Seattle and the Chicago White Sox.
"(The Braves) had the best offer," said Ka'aihue, who declined to reveal his bonus amount.
Ka'aihue signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Hawai'i while at Iolani. But he was drafted in the 22nd round by Boston in 2003 and signed. But the Red Sox voided the contract when a physical revealed an elbow injury. He had Tommy John surgery in February 2004 and was back playing in February.
Ka'aihue's brother, Kila, plays at High-A High Desert in the California League. Kila was drafted in the 15th round and signed by Kansas City out of Iolani in 2002.
The brothers' father, Kala Ka'aihue, played minor-league ball, including with the Triple-A Hawaii Islanders.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
