Baseball rainbow-themed team embarks on summer excursion
Summertime Sluggers:
It's all about the 'Bows of Summer.
Over two dozen current and future University of Hawaii baseball players are battling it out in summer leagues all across the nation. And that's not even counting the four prospects who've made their commitment but are yet to complete the necessary paperwork for the fall quarter.
Rich Hill, the coach, is a firm believer in the importance of summer baseball. "I'm a huge fan of summer ball," he said. "I've coached in the Cape League for years, and I've seen firsthand the impact it has on a player's development."
Last summer, for instance, Kamana Nahaku put in some time with the Victoria HarbourCats of the West Coast League. The left fielder ended up knocking ten homers that season, including a three-homer game against Cal State Northridge. Freddy Rodriguez, on the other hand, was named the WCL's 2024 pitcher of the summer.
"It's all about playing," Hill emphasized. "You can lift weights, run sprints, and do all sorts of workouts. But come summer, it's time to suit up and play ball. It doesn't matter if it's hot, cold, or rainy—it's your chance to put your skills to the test."
Each summer, there's a strategy for where players are placed. The Major League Baseball Draft League is usually reserved for draft-eligible prospects who also have the option of returning to school. Ben Zeigler-Namoa, O'Brien, and Cory Ronan, who are all eligible for an NCAA exemption that grants them an extra year if they previously played at a junior college, are currently in the MLB Draft League.
The Cape Cod League, known as a Norman Rockwell painting come to life, is popular among players who just finished their sophomore years. UH pitchers Isaiah Magdaleno, Sebastian Gonzalez, and Rodriguez are playing on split deals—they'll play half the season and then take some time off to recuperate.
Seven 'Bows are in the Northwoods League, a perfect spot for players looking for plenty of at-bats. Hill notes that these leagues are seeing an "uprising" in interest due to MLB's significant cuts to the minor leagues. "It's that minor league atmosphere," Hill said. "All our guys want to play pro ball. Here it is. Here's your chance."
The Major League Baseball Draft League:
- Liam O'Brien: West Virginia Black Bears
- Cory Ronan: Mahoning Valley Scrappers
- Ben Zeigler-Namoa: West Virginia Black Bears
Cape Cod Baseball League:
- Sebastian Gonzalez: Orleans Firebirds
- Elijah Ickes: Orleans Firebirds
- Isaiah Magdaleno: Orleans Firebirds
- Matthew Miura: Hyanis Harbor Hawks
- Freddy Rodriguez: Harwich Mariners
Alaska Baseball League:
- Izzy Diaz: Alaska Goldpanners
- Evan Rolbiecki: Alaska Goldpanners
Northwoods League:
- Anthony Andrews: Duluth Huskies
- Kedren Kenzie: Green Bay Rockers
- Xaige Lancaster: Green Bay Rockers
- Bobby Perebzak: Lakeshort Chinooks
- Kaysen Raineri: Rockford Rivets
- Tate Shimao: Rockford Rivets
- Dylan Waite: Mankato Moondogs
West Coast League:
- Aukai Araujo-Waiau: Marion Berries
- Koen Barton: Marion Berries
- Mana Lau Kong: Bend Elks
- Kamana Nahaku: Victoria HarbourCats
- Taylor Takata: Ridgefield Raptors
- Zacary Tenn: Marion Berries
Prospect League:
- Draven Nushida: Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp
California Collegiate League:
- Brody Martin: San Diego Bombers
MGF Marshalls Baseball League:
- Tarrell Reid: Utah Marshalls Red Hots
(Players marked with an asterisk are newcomers)
The University of Hawaii baseball players participate in various summer leagues nationwide, enhancing their skills ahead of the academic year, such as Kamana Nahaku who played with the Victoria HarbourCats in the West Coast League. Despite the different leagues, they all share a common goal - improving their skills for a potential professional baseball career, just like the players in the Cape Cod League, such as Freddy Rodriguez.
