MLB Draft Preview: Hawaii

Hawaii State-by-State List

It's an unusual year for the state of Hawaii in terms of the draft. On the one hand, having three very solid group two prospects coming from the high school ranks is practically unprecedented. But that strength is balanced out by a lack of college prospects, with no college products projected for the top 10 rounds.

This year's class is very position heavy, with no high end pitching prospects in the class, and only a couple of arms of note such as University of Hawaii Friday night starter right handed pitcher Matt Cooper. That is likely to change next year as a pair of southpaws will be eligible in Hawaii's Scott Squier and Waiakea High School hurler Kodi Medeiros, and hopefully Jarrett Arakawa will join that group with a successful recovery from a shoulder injury.

STRENGTH: High school position players
WEAKNESS: College talent
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 4

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: University of Hawaii
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Waiakea HS, Hilo

PROSPECT ON THE RISE: MARCUS DOI, of, Mid-Pacific Institute, Honolulu. While he wasn't as well known on the national level at this time a year ago as middle infielder Kean Wong, Doi's breakout showing at the Area Code Games shot him up draft boards, and with an injury to the top college prospect (University of Hawaii left handed pitcher Jarrett Arakawa), Doi now finds himself as the state's top draft prospect. He may have wound up being just that even if Arakawa had remained healthy, but now there is little doubt that the slugging outfielder is tops in the state's 2013 draft class.

WILD CARD: JARRETT ARAKAWA, lhp, University of Hawaii. Following a strong sophomore season at the University of Hawaii, Arakawa earned all-Cape Cod League honors over the summer and appeared poised to become the top pick out of the Aloha State in this draft. But he suffered a torn labrum and missed his entire junior season. The nature and timing of that injury make him a longshot for this draft, but he's a player that organizations will keep tabs on as he attempts to make the arduous recovery.

BEST OUT-OF-STATE PROSPECT, Hawaii Connection: Kaiana Eldredge, c/mif, University of Kansas
Top 2014 Prospect: Kodi Medeiros, lhp, Waiakea HS, Hilo
Top 2015 Prospect: Andre Real, mif, University of Hawaii

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History: Mike Campbell, rhp, University of Hawaii (1985, Mariners/1st round, 7th pick)
2008 Draft: Dustin Antolin, rhp, Mililani HS (Blue Jays/11th round)
2009 Draft: Vinnie Catricala, 3b, University of Hawaii (Mariners/10th round)
2010 Draft: Josh Slaats, rhp, University of Hawaii (Rockies/5th round)
2011 Draft: Kolten Wong, 2b, University of Hawaii (Cardinals/1st round, 22nd pick)
2012 Draft: Branden Kaupe, 2b, Baldwin HS (Mets/4th round)

2012 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed: 3/3
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 1/1


TOP PROSPECTS, GROUPS 1 and 2

GROUP 2 (rounds 4-10)

1. MARCUS DOI, of, Mid-Pacific Institute, Honolulu
Doi was likely the top player in the state at this time a year ago, but that wasn't common knowledge to most of the scouting community. It wasn't until his breakout showing at the Area Code Games last August that it became clear that Doi provided what the state has rarely produced: impact power. Following a towering home run in spacious Blair Field, site of the Area Code Games, one scout was overheard exclaiming, "I just won a trip to Hawaii!" In the past two drafts the top pick from Hawaii has been an undersized athletic second basemen; hulking mashers with a hit tool that will allow the power to play are somewhat unusual for the area. Which is exactly what makes Doi so intriguing, though his physicality also raises questions about his ability to handle the outfield long term from an athletic standpoint. He moves well enough to be a solid left fielder for now, but the question becomes how well he will be able to maintain that athleticism as he matures physically. That question and his short track record of experience facing high level pitching are what prevent him from being considered a Group 1 prospect at this point, though there certainly could be an organization out there that feels he belongs in that group and jumps up and takes him in the first three rounds.