Players display tools of trade
| • | Photo gallery: Perfect Game Showcase |
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Whatever University High sophomore Ian Padeken did over the weekend at Les Murakami Stadium was captured on video.
His throwing, running, fielding and hitting, whether in drills or in scrimmages, were recorded as part of a scouting report service called Perfect Game Showcase that aims at displaying a baseball player's talent for all to evaluate.
Padeken was one of 22 high school players who participated in the Perfect Game Showcase, founded in 1994 and held for the first time in Hawai'i. Videos and written reports of all the players will eventually be posted on www.perfectgame.org for all colleges and pro scouts to see. The players used wooden bats in the showcase.
"At least I got something so schools can look at me, even though I'm a young guy," Padeken said.
Mike Spiers, who coaches a club team in California, coordinated the event. Having had Hawai'i players in past years on his teams, as well as those who played in Perfect Game events, Spiers feels Hawai'i has the talent. But he said their skills need to be exposed. He said colleges at all levels are looking for players, but can't always come to Hawai'i to find them.
"They have to help market themselves," he said of the players. "This gives kids that opportunity."
There were eight seniors, five juniors, eight sophomores and one freshman. Mid-Pacific Institute had the largest contingent with five players. Surprisingly, the Big Island had six participants from three different schools. They made the biggest sacrifice, having to fly to O'ahu and board here for the two days.
"Every kid in Hawai'i should come and get exposed," said Kaha Wong, a former USC Trojans player (1985 and 1986) who coaches youth baseball on the Big Island. "That's why I came all the way from Hilo. I think every kid should take advantage of this; come and at least showcase their skills. Not too many guys (college recruiters) are going to be coming all the way to Hawai'i, especially Hilo."
Wong, who also assisted with the showcase, brought his son, Kolten, a sophomore catcher for Kamehameha-Hawai'i, and the other five Big Island players.
"I want to go to school at UH-Manoa, so since we're here I have better exposure to them," said Kamehameha-Hawai'i junior third baseman Trycen Cosier.
None of the three University of Hawai'i coaches were at the showcase because it is a "quiet" period for recruiting, meaning recruiters cannot make contact with players and make off-campus visits. Like the rest of the coaches around the country, they can view the reports online.
Not all of the players were from here. One listed Novato, Calif., as his hometown and another was from Ecuador.
For underclassmen, they got to see where they might improve their game. For seniors, the showcase gave them one more chance for exposure.
"It's good for the Hawai'i players," Iolani senior outfielder/ pitcher C.J. Johnson said. "You can get a lot of exposure to the Mainland coaches, so they can see what we got down here. Not too many guys know Island baseball, so it just helps us out. It helps us get in shape. We get to meet new coaches and experience all this stuff."
Johnson and Punahou senior first baseman Bucky Aona have offers from Southern Utah, which is coached by Punahou graduate and former Hawai'i Pacific coach Boy Eldredge. Johnson also is considering a "roster spot" (scholarship not guaranteed) with Arizona State after a successful showing at an ASU camp.
The players' parents feel the showcase, which costs $495 per player, is worthwhile.
"The showcase is the only way to get exposure in Hawai'i," said Johnson's father, Chris Johnson.
Former Punahou players Jared Pate (UC Irvine), Landon Nakata (Penn State), Robert Kurisu (Claremont-McKenna), Kasey Ko (Brigham Young) and Justin Ariki (Cypress JC) got their exposure in Perfect Game events by playing on Spiers' ABD teams.
Also, each fall former Maryknoll coach Duane Eldredge takes Team Hawai'i to the Arizona Fall Classic, a Perfect Game tournament. Since only a select group of players go, not all get the opportunity for exposure. Chris Johnson said that is why the showcase here is important because it gives all Hawai'i players a chance.
Spiers had hoped for a larger turnout, but is considering returning next year.
Meanwhile, a Perfect Game 18-under BCS (Baseball Championship Series) will be held Friday through Monday at Les Murakami Stadium.
Several California-based teams will attend. Also, 14 players who took part in the showcase will form a team that will compete in the tournament. They will be listed in another story this week.
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To get an idea of how some of the Hawai‘i players fared during the showcase, here is how Perfect Game national scouting coordinator Blaine Clemmens assessed them. He was particularly impressed with the sophomore class. Chad Takabuki (5-6, 155), Mid-Pacific senior middle infielder — “He did everything right. He swings a decent bat, he’s in good position on defense. ... He’s a good baseball player. I enjoyed watching him play the game.” Evander Ledward (5-11, 160), Damien junior left-handed pitcher/outfielder/first baseman — “His arm works good. He’s got three pitches. If he can keep it up, I think he could throw mid-80s (with) a decent breaking ball. He competes well.” Ian Padeken (5-9, 175), University sophomore shortstop/catcher/pitcher — “I’m not ready to call him a prospect yet, but (during Sunday’s scrimmages), he swung the bat real good. You have to pay attention to a guy who showed some power even though he’s not a big guy.” Cory Yuh (6-0, 160), Pearl City sophomore left-handed pitcher/first baseman/outfielder — “His fastball moves a lot. Nothing he really leaves in the middle of the plate. He’s kind of slippery. He’s up to 78 miles an hour, but he’s a young guy. I like his body profile. He’s going to get heavier and throw harder, naturally, in the next couple years.” Russell Doi (5-7, 120), Mid-Pacific sophomore middle infielder — “Obviously, he’s got to get bigger, but he really knows how to play second base. His bat is a pretty good-looking bat.” Dane Kinoshita (5-8, 132), Mid-Pacific sophomore right-handed pitcher — “He really knows how to pitch. His fastball was sneaky fast, his breaking ball was good for strikes. He had two breaking balls: a slow slider and a curveball. He’s the best pitcher we had here. He knows what he’s doing. He can beat a lot of teams. Now, he may not get chances in the coming years if he doesn’t get himself to at least 5-11. That would be a shame because he knows what he’s doing.” Kolten Wong (5-8, 165), Kamehameha-Hawai‘i sophomore catcher/outfielder — “He may not stay a catcher in his career. He can run, he’s a good hitter. He’s got quick feet and good hands. He’s got to get better at receiving. I think long term, (he will be) at second base because he can run. I think at second base he could be a really good prospect. But he should continue to catch too because that brings versatility to the game. (He) needs to run a little bit harder out of the box down to first base. He goes hard when he knows he’s got a hit, but if it doesn’t look like a hit to him, he’s not going as hard as he needs to go.” Wade Tamaru (5-7, 135), Mid-Pacific freshman shortstop — “He played good defense. His hands are good. He has a good, technically sound swing. It’s just not as strong having not seen enough upper-level pitching, but he competed as well as anybody all over the field. He made some good instinctual plays on defense.” — Stacy Kaneshiro |
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.
