Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Thursday, April 25, 2024 80° Today's Paper


SportsTop News

Campbell’s Kahaloa, Saint Louis’ Tom selected in Round 5 of MLB Draft

Billy Hull
1/1
Swipe or click to see more
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / APRIL 15
Campbell graduate Ian Kahaloa has had MLB scouts watch his pitching this season. He is ranked No. 113 in the final Baseball America Top 500 draft prospects list.

Recent Campbell graduate Ian Kahaloa was selected in the fifth round (No. 145 overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-1 right-hander was recently named the Honolulu Star-Advertiser state player of the year after going 5-0 with a 0.16 ERA as a senior for the Sabers, who won the state title.

Kahaloa hit .520 with three triples and 15 RBIs as a hitter but is the top draft pick from Hawaii this year because of his electric right arm.

He struck out 72 with only four walks in 44 innings this season amid heavy scrutiny from scouts for all 30 Major League teams.

In a state semifinal win over Kamehameha, Kahaloa threw 138 pitches in a 10-inning masterpiece, striking out 15 in a 2-1 victory.

Kahaloa, who has signed with Hawaii, is expected to sign with the Reds. The draft value for the No. 145 overall pick is listed at $369,400, but it does not mean that is the signing bonus he will receive.

Nine picks later, Kentucky outfielder Ka’ai Tom, a 2012 Saint Louis graduate, was selected by the Cleveland Indians (No. 154 overall).

Tom hit .352 in two full seasons with the Wildcats with 29 doubles, eight homers and 92 RBIs. He was named first-team All-SEC as a sophomore.

The slot value for that pick is listed at $338,700. Tom could also potentially play second base for the Indians.

Comments are closed.