University of Hawaii baseball loses ace, adds pitching recruit

A day after losing its best starting pitcher, the University of Hawaii baseball team secured a commitment from one of the state’s top hurlers.

Cade Halemanu, a right-hander from Pearl City High, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he has accepted an offer to join the Rainbow Warriors in August.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to play with that coaching staff and play in front of the home crowd,” Halemanu said.

Halemanu’s commitment cushions the loss of Jackson Rees, who signed a free-agent contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

It appeared Rees would return to UH for his senior season after not being selected in last week’s 40-round Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. But Rees reached an agreement with the Blue Jays on Monday night. Rees told the Star-Advertiser he was set to report to the Blue Jays’ rookie-level team in the Gulf Coast League in Florida.

Rees, who earned a bachelor’s degree last month, was draft-eligible after playing one season at Saddleback Community College and two with the Rainbow Warriors. This past season, Rees was 5-3 with a 3.86 earned-run average.

Also, backup catcher David Noworyta has signed a free-agent contract with the Detroit Tigers. Noworyta also will play in the Gulf Coast League. Noworyta hit .250 in eight games this season, but he was valued as a team leader and bullpen catcher. He made each of the ’Bows’ road trips.

“Their first goal was to graduate,” UH coach Mike Trapasso said of Rees and Noworyta. “It’s their turn to go after goal No. 2. We’re happy for them.”

Halemanu should provide a boost to the ’Bows’ pitching staff. He is 6 feet 4 and 215 pounds and his fastball has surpassed 90 mph. He also throws a change-up and curveball.

This past season, Halemanu was 5-1 with a 1.08 ERA. He averaged 9.87 strikeouts per nine innings, with a WHIP of 0.82.

Halemanu said he grew up as a fan of UH sports.

“I used to love watching (quarterback) Colt Brennan,” Halemanu said. “I went to the games.”

He said he discussed the UH offer with his family on Monday night. “I kind of slept on it,” said Halemanu, who announced his decision Tuesday morning.