In
the weeks leading up to the draft, Perfect Game will be providing a
detailed overview of each state in the U.S., including the District
of Columbia, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico. These overviews will
list the state's strengths, weaknesses and the players with the best
tools, as well as providing scouting reports on all Group 1 and 2
players as ranked in Perfect Game's state-by-state scouting lists.
Hawaii State-by-State List
2011 Hawaii Overview
Hawaii
Overview:
Thin
Year in Hawaii At Both College, Prep Levels
Hawaii
has had an up-and-down draft history, but one of the more-noteworthy
developments occurred a year ago when University of Hawaii second
baseman Kolten Wong was selected with the 22nd-pick
overall by the St. Louis Cardinals. In the process, Wong became the
first native Hawaiian ever to attend college on the islands and
emerge as a first-round draft pick.
Interestingly
enough, Wong’s younger brother Kean, a catcher for undefeated
Waiakea High, is targeted to be the top pick from Hawaii a year from
now.
Sandwiched
between the Wong brothers and their impact on the draft, though, is
2012, and this year may be one of the leanest in state history as
there is a distinct possibility that not a single player, college or
high school, will be taken in the first 10 rounds. University of
Hawaii outfielder Breland Almadova has the best shot among the
available college talent, while small statured Baldwin High shortstop
Brandon Kaupe appears to have overtaken righthander/shortstop Trey
Kamachi as the most talented high school player.
A
year ago, an impressive total of seven Hawaii high-school players
were drafted, though none signed.
To
the misfortune of the University of Hawaii, both Kaupe and Kamachi
are earmarked for Arizona colleges (Kaupe to Central Arizona JC,
Kamachi to Arizona State) on the chance they do not sign. However,
the younger Wong and his Waiakea High teammate, senior lefthander
Quintin Torres-Costa, the third-ranked prospect in this year’s prep
class, have college commitments to stay home and play for the
Rainbows, who recently took over first-place in the Western Athletic
Conference and are primed to grab an NCAA tournament berth, which
would be their third in the last 19 years.
Hawaii
in a nutshell:
STRENGTH:
University of Hawaii talent.
WEAKNESS:
High-school talent.
OVERALL
RATING
(1-to-5 scale): 1.
BEST
COLLEGE TEAM:
Hawaii.
BEST
HIGH SCHOOL TEAM:
Waiakea HS, Hilo.
BEST
OUT-OF-STATE PROSPECT, Hawaii Connection:
Jordan Negrini, 3b, Yavapai (Ariz.) JC (Attended high school in
Kihei).
Top
2013 Prospect:
Kean Wong, of, Waiakea HS, Hilo.
Top
2014
Prospect:
Scott Squier, lhp, University of Hawaii.
HIGHEST
DRAFT PICKS
Draft
History:
Mike Campbell, rhp, University of Hawaii (1985, Mariners/1st round,
7th pick).
2006
Draft:
Steven Wright, rhp, University of Hawaii (Indians/2nd round).
2007
Draft:
Tyler Davis, rhp, University of Hawaii (Padres/21st round).
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).
2011
DRAFT OVERVIEW
College
Players Drafted/Signed:
7/6.
High
School Players Drafted/Signed:
7/0.
TOP
PROSPECTS, GROUPS ONE and TWO
NONE
2 PROSPECTS TO WATCH
BRELAND ALMADOVA,
of, University of Hawaii (Jr.)
The
6-foot-1, 195-pound Almadova was the rage of the West Coast League
last summer, leading the league in hitting for most of the summer
before a late slump dropped his average to .328. He displayed
legitimate leadoff-type skills with a league-best 6.4 time in the 60,
and his quick-twitch actions and bunting ability, along with his
ability to drive balls to the gaps with his strong frame. He had 17
extra-base hits, along with 17 stolen bases. Unfortunately, Almadova
hasn't been as strong this spring as he has hit just .266-3-19, with
nine stolen bases, for a 28-18 Hawaii team. Almadova’s superior
speed has played well defensively, however, and he has excelled at
running balls down in the gaps, his arm is also an asset. While
Almadova still ranks as the top college talent in Hawaii, the gap has
closed between himself and UH shortstop Pi’kea Kitamura
(.302-0-23), also a defensive specialist who has swung a much-better
bat this spring. Had he not broken an ankle prior to the start of the
season, 6-foot-6 righthander Conner Little, a 49th-round
pick of the Miami Marlins a year ago, might have also challenged
Almadova.
BRANDON
KAUPE, ss, Baldwin HS, Wailuku
Scouts
from the mainland got an early look at the top high-school talent in
Hawaii, and left with the impression that the 5-foot-5, 175-pound
Kaupe was the best talent in this year’s class. Despite his obvious
lack of size, Kaupe showcased impressive speed and solid actions at
shortstop, though he probably faces a shift across the bag to second
base as he advances. Kaupe also showed some ability as a
switch-hitter to drive balls.