Closer Dylan Thomas passes on the pros to pitch for Hawaii next season

The University of Hawaii baseball team’s closer — Dylan Thomas — is not finished with his Rainbow Warrior career.

Thomas was the Minnesota Twins’ 38th-round pick in last month’s Major League Baseball Draft for First-Year Players.

Thomas told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he will return to UH for his junior year after the two sides could not reach a contract agreement before Friday’s signing deadline.

“I’m excited to come back,” Thomas said, adding, “it was a cool experience, if anything, to get (drafted) this year.”

NCAA Division I players are eligible for the draft if they have been in college for at least three years. Thomas redshirted as a freshman in 2016. He was the Rainbow Warriors’ closer the past two seasons. This past year, Thomas amassed 14 saves, most among Big West pitchers, and averaged 9.9 strikeouts and 0.92 walks per nine innings.

This summer, Thomas is pitching for the Hyannis Harbor (Mass.) Hawks in the Cape Cod Baseball League. He has four saves with 16 strikeouts in 111⁄3 innings.

“He’s really enjoying it there,” UH coach Mike Trapasso said. “It’s a great place to play. He’s extremely lucky, because one of his coaches there is Ron Polk, the legendary coach at Mississippi State.”

Polk often is referred to as the “Father of SEC Baseball.”

“It’s just a great opportunity to play for a guy like that.” Trapasso said.

Trapasso said Thomas will benefit from the Cape Cod experience, as well as a move to starting pitcher this fall. Thomas relied heavily on a slider last season.

Trapasso said a starter’s role will improve Thomas’ arm strength, durability and pitch velocity. Thomas’ fastball clocks in the low 90s.

“It’s in the best interest to be a starter for us next year,” Trapasso said. “It will allow him to showcase more pitches, to throw more fastballs. And by throwing more fastballs and getting extended, he’ll show more velocity, which will help his draft stock.”

Trapasso said Thomas has the skill and potential to be picked in the top 10 rounds next year.

Thomas said he looks forward to his new role.

“I really want to try starting,” he said. “I think that would be best for my draft stock next year. I definitely think it will be the best thing for the team next year, too, because we’re going to have a lot of new arms, young arms, coming in next year.”

Reigning Star-Advertiser position player of the year Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa has turned down a signing bonus of $100,000 with the Minnesota Twins and will attend Yavapai College in Arizona instead.

Although listed by MLB.com as having signed, the 16th-round pick will instead go to college to try to improve his draft standing, Baldwin coach Shane Dudoit confirmed Friday.

Hoopii-Tuionetoa was named most outstanding player in May’s state baseball tournament and led the Bears to their second state title in three years.

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Star-Advertiser sports writer Billy Hull contributed to this story.