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Hawaii outfielder Breland Almadova said Thursday he plans to forgo his senior season and sign a pro contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Almadova, who hit .267 as a junior, left Thursday morning for Arizona, where he expects to sign as early as today.
“I’m glad I got the opportunity and I thank God and I’m going to make the most of it,” Almadova said after he landed late Thursday night. “I’m going to go out, work hard and we’ll see what happens.”
The ‘Iolani graduate, who was picked in the 37th round (No. 1,143 overall) of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday, had built a strong connection with the Diamondbacks.
Following UH’s season-ending loss in Mesa, Ariz., two weeks ago, Almadova stayed behind and participated in a daylong workout with the club the following week.
He would join former Rainbows Michael Blake and Alex Capaul, who both pitched for UH in 2011, in the Diamondbacks’ minor league system.
“I didn’t really follow the draft too much and then my mom said my name came up and I got the call from a scout about a minute later,” he said. “I was pretty surprised.
Almadova started 105 games over the last two seasons at UH, hitting 24 doubles with 77 runs scored. He finished third in the Western Athletic Conference as a sophomore with 16 stolen bases and closed his junior year with hits in five consecutive games.
Almadova led ‘Iolani to an ILH title in 2009 and was named the Hawaii Gatorade player of the year as a senior.
He expects to report to minicamp and will be told after that where he will play.
Almadova was one of two ‘Bows selected in this week’s draft. Right-hander Matt Sisto was taken in the 20th round (No. 638) by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Sisto signed his contract with the club on Thursday and flies out Sunday to minicamp in Florida.
Once that’s done, he’ll report to Williamsport, Penn., for short season.
Almadova’s departure opens a spot in the outfield that the Rainbows might have recently filled.
Hawaii has received an oral commitment from left-handed-hitting outfielder Adam Hurley of Rio Hondo Community College in Southern California.
Hurley hit .371 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs as a sophomore for the Roadrunners. He ranked first in his conference with 120 total bases and was second in homers and hits, fourth in RBIs and fifth in doubles.
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