Brewers pick Punahou alum Harrison

Minutes after completing a final exam in marketing, Oregon State’s Kainoa John “KJ” Harrison aced his dream test.

The Milwaukee Brewers picked Harrison in Tuesday’s third round of the Major League Baseball draft. MLB.com lists the 84th overall selection with an “approximate pick value” of $666,600.

“It’s pretty cool,” said Harrison, a Punahou School graduate who learned the news en route to a house he shares in Corvallis, Ore. “My roommates and teammates were at my house. They were congratulating me when I came home. It was a very surreal feeling.”

In Honolulu, his father, Kenny Harrison, was admittedly relieved.

“I was more nervous than (awaiting the birth) of my five kids,” said Kenny, a former UH baseball standout who played in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and in Japan. “That was easier than going through this draft. It’s such a brutal business. You don’t know what’s going to happen. You just have to trust your advisers, man. We’re so humbled for this opportunity for my son.”

In the fifth round, the San Diego Padres selected shortstop Jonny Homza, who signed a letter of intent with the University of Hawaii in November. UH coach Mike Trapasso indicated Homza is expected to forgo college and sign with the Padres. The approximate pick value for Homza is $371,200, according to MLB.com.

In the seventh round, the Minnesota Twins selected left-handed pitcher Ryley Widell, who was 8-2 with a 1.98 earned-run average for Central Arizona College this season. Widell is a King Kekaulike graduate.

In the ninth round, the Boston Red Sox picked ‘Iolani graduate Tanner Nishioka, a senior second baseman with Pomona-Pitzer College who batted .441 this season with 18 home runs and 53 RBIs in 152 at-bats.

For Harrison, this was the second time he was selected. The Cleveland Indians picked Harrison in the 25th round in 2014. But Harrison opted to attend Oregon State instead.

“You can’t put a price tag on the college experience,” Harrison said. “I’ll say that the rest of my life. It’s been an amazing experience. I’ve made so many friends for life. There’s more to go. That’s the exciting part. We’re going to Omaha this week.”

The Beavers are the top-seeded team in the College World Series.

“Now it’s fun time,” Kenny Harrison said. “You get drafted, and now you try to win a World Series ring.”

KJ Harrison overcame a sprained thumb and ankle to hit .330 with eight home runs this season. He played mostly first base this season, but will compete at catcher in the Brewers’ farm system.

“I’m very excited to be back there again (behind the plate),” Harrison said. “I’ll play wherever they need me.”