The University of Hawai'i baseball program will land a top 300 high school prospect for the 2007 season.

Matt Jaimes, an outfield-er/third baseman/pitcher for Chino (Calif.) High, said he will sign a letter of intent with the Rainbows in November. Jaimes is ranked 134th in the high school class of 2006's top 300, as ranked by Perfect Game in Baseball America's Prospect Plus.

"They're not only getting a fine player, but more importantly, a fine person for their program," Chino baseball coach Bob Sheehan said in a telephone interview.

Jaimes said he also had offers from Long Beach State and San Diego.

Jaimes batted .432 last season. Of his 38 hits, 18 were for extra-bases, Sheehan said. Jaimes also was 4-0 in 13 innings pitched. Sheehan said the 6-foot, 180-pound right-hander will be the team's No. 1 starting pitcher this season.

Jaimes was recruited as a position player, but he said he has been told he will get a chance to show UH coaches if he can pitch.

"If I got the opportunity, I'd be more than happy to pitch (at UH)," Jaimes said.

Like a number of previous UH recruits, Jaimes plays for ABD (Amateur Baseball Development), which is coached by Mike Spiers, father of UH shortstop Joe Spiers.

MEMEA HONORED

Damien eighth-grader Michael Memea was recognized on Baseball America Online (www.baseballamerica.com) in its 2005 Baseball For The Ages feature as the all-star catcher for 12-year-olds nationwide.

The feature lists a top player for each age group from 12 to 25. DeLino DeShields, son of the former major league of the same name, was listed as the top 12-year-old.

Memea hit the game-winning home run for West O'ahu in the Little League World Series championship game.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.