Posted on: Friday, June 10, 2005
Kometani, Bryant sign pro contracts
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Two pitchers with ties to Hawai'i will start their pro careers next week.
Also, University of Hawai'i right-hander Stephen Bryant agreed to terms yesterday with the Oakland Athletics, who picked him in the 20th round. He has been assigned to Vancouver (Canada) of the short-season Single-A Northwest League, where he said he will sign for a $1,500 bonus.
"I'm ready to play," said Bryant, who will leave his hometown of Chico, Calif., for Vancouver on Tuesday.
Kometani, who got a $2,000 bonus, will report to Spokane (Wash.) of the same league on Wednesday.
College draft picks usually get assigned to short-season Single A. Most high school players who sign usually get assigned to rookie camp.
"I don't think it has quite sunk in yet," Kometani said of becoming a pro player. "I can't wait to get started."
Kometani played four seasons for the Waves, compiling a 21-14 record and 4.01 earned run average and 10 saves. His 90 appearances is second-highest in school history, while his 316á innings rank sixth and the 237 strikeouts rank eighth.
Kometani graduated this spring with a degree in economics.
Bryant was 8-3 with a 3.17 ERA. He had 110 strikeouts and 37 walks in 105 innings.
"His performance and statistics rank up there with some of the best," Athletics scouting director Eric Kubota said in a telephone interview from his office at McAfee Coliseum. "Stephen's not the biggest kid (at 5 feet 10, 210 pounds), as far as stature, but he's got a breaking ball that makes up for a lot of that and he throws it for strikes. He's found a way to strike out a lot of guys."
In other news, UH left-hander Kaimi Mead said yesterday he will transfer to College of San Mateo, a junior college in California, citing personal reasons. He was red-shirted this season. He will play for the Island Movers, who start playing Thursday.
2005 Hawai'i Draft Picks
Player, position, school, year completed, Hawai'i tie, team, round, overall pick:
Signed or agreed to terms
Unsigned
Tomorrow: Notes on other draft picks.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
Pepperdine right-hander Kea Kometani, a 2001 Punahou School graduate, signed yesterday with the Texas Rangers, who picked him in the 15th round in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday.
