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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Giants' first-round pick Posey will be BeachBoy

Advertiser Staff

For the second consecutive season, Hawaii Winter Baseball will feature a $6 million man.

Former Florida State all-America catcher Buster Posey, the San Francisco Giants' first-round pick in June — the fifth overall selection — is among five first rounders scheduled to play in HWB, the league announced yesterday.

Posey, who is assigned to the Waikiki BeachBoys, signed for $6.2 million, the highest bonus among the 2008 draft picks. Posey played in the rookie Arizona League, then at short-season A Salem-Keizer before finishing at High-A San Jose of the California League.

Last year, Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters played in HWB after signing for $6 million. He split time between High-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie, batting a combined .355 with 27 home runs and 91 RBI.

Joining Posey on the BeachBoys will be the No. 7 overall pick, first baseman Yonder Alonso of the Cincinnati Reds. Alonso, who played at Miami, signed for a $2 million bonus that is part of a big-league contract. That means he is already on the Reds' 40-man roster. He started his career at High-A Sarasota of the Florida State League.

Catcher Jason Castro, the No. 10 overall pick by the Houston Astros, has been assigned to the North Shore Honu. Castro, who played at Stanford, signed for $2.07 million. His pro debut was at short-season A Tri-City of the New York-Pennsylvania League.

Shortstop Reese Havens, the No. 22 overall selection by the New York Mets, will play for the Honolulu Sharks. He signed for $1.4 million. He played at South Carolina before making his pro debut for short-season A Brooklyn.

Left-handed pitcher Jeremy Bleich was the No. 44 (supplemental first round) pick of the New York Yankees, signing for $700,000. He is assigned to the BeachBoys. He also played at Stanford. He pitched three innings for short-season A Staten Island.

The league begins play Sept. 27 with the Honolulu Sharks playing the Waikiki BeachBoys at Les Murakami Stadium, and the North Shore Honu taking on the West Oahu CaneFires at Hans L'Orange Park. Both games start at 7 p.m.

According to HWB, 23 of the 30 Major League Baseball teams will be contributing players, as well as six from Nippon Professional Baseball. Also for the first time since the revival of HWB in 2006, the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization will send players.

For ticket information, call 973-RBIS (7247) or check the league's Web site: www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com