The Detroit Tigers signed 20 of their top 21 draft picks in this year’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
The one that got away is fleeing all the way to Hawaii.
Six-foot-6 left-hander Scott Squier decided against turning pro and is one of two prized recruits the Rainbows were able to hold onto through Monday’s 6 p.m. deadline for players to sign with pro teams.
Right-hander Nick Carmichael, a 17th-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles, will transfer to Hawaii from Palomar (Calif.) J.C. instead of turning pro.
The Tigers managed to pry infielder Brett Harrison away, signing the brother of current UH shortstop Matt Harrison, who will be a junior. Brett Harrison, the top-rated high school senior in Nevada according to Perfect Game USA, signed minutes before the deadline.
"The surprising thing is it’s the same offer that’s been on the table for weeks that he had turned down," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said.
UH had also secured a commitment from infielder Nic Cuckovich before he decided in late June to sign with the Kansas City Royals. He was drafted one pick after Carmichael.
The loss of Harrison, who was expected to compete for a starting job as a freshman, opens a bigger hole in the middle of UH’s defense.
Hawaii already has to replace second baseman Kolten Wong, one of four draft-eligible juniors UH lost for the second straight year.
Wong and pitchers Lenny Linsky, Michael Blake and Randy Yard signed with their respective pro teams this summer.
The top two high school seniors drafted from Hawaii — ‘Iolani pitcher Carlos Rodriguez and Punahou outfielder Michael Suiter — did not sign and will go to college.
Rodriguez, a 20th-round selection by the Atlanta Braves, will attend Oregon State, while Suiter, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 37th round, de-committed from Santa Clara and will enroll at Kansas.
