Trapasso signs 13 new players
Hawaii baseball coach Mike Trapasso has restocked the shelves after the MLB First-Year Player Draft took a bite out of his 2011 supply.
UH announced 13 summer signees yesterday. The large haul was a result of MLB taking four of his juniors and four of six fall signees deciding to go pro.
"Very satisfied," Trapasso said. "Just because you lose guys signed in November does not mean the guys you sign in the summer are going to be less of a player."
Ten of the 13 are college transfers. Among them are four pitchers: Brent Harrison of Cosumnes River College (Calif.); Patrick O’Rourke, also of Cosumnes; Riley Welch of Yavapai College (Ariz.); and Jim McWilliam of Chandler-Gilbert Community College (Ariz.).
Three junior college catchers were added: Zach McDonell of Oxnard College (Calif.); David Peterson of Santa Ana College (Calif.); and Garrett Champion of Gateway Community College (Ariz.).
Shortstop Matt Harrison was a coveted player out of high school before playing one season at North Carolina and sitting out last year. Outfielder Zack Swasey comes from Salt Lake Community College and corner infielder AJ Bayus from Golden West College (Calif.).
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Three high school players signed: infielder Conner George of Tigard, Ohio; shortstop Jake McWilliam of Phoenix; and right-hander Robert Paruch of Manhattan Beach, Calif.
The fall signees who remained are ‘Iolani’s Jarrett Arakawa and Mt. Hood College transfer Michael Blake.