Four Hawaii high school players also are selected

In a whirlwind final day of the Major League Baseball draft, two former University of Hawaii players and two recruits were selected.

“We couldn’t be happier for those guys,” UH coach Mike Trapasso said of reliever Casey Ryan and third baseman Josh Rojas. The Chicago Cubs picked Ryan in the 18th round. Rojas was chosen by the Houston Astros in the 26th round. Both earned their bachelor’s degrees last month.

But two pitchers who committed to the Rainbow Warriors in November and an infielder also were drafted. Austin Rubick, a left-hander from Ventura (Calif.) College, is expected to sign with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was their 20th-round pick.

Cade Smith, of Mennonite Educational Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, was the Minnesota Twins’ 16th-round pick. Smith’s decision might not come until the July 15 deadline, when drafted players must choose whether to turn pro or enroll in college.

Jonny Homza, of South Anchorage High School, was chosen by the San Diego Padres in the fifth round.

It was a deja-vu moment for Trapsasso. In 2016, the Twins drafted Kolten Wong in the 16th round. Wong opted to play for UH, and now is with the St. Louis Cardinals. UH retired Wong’s jersey number before the start of the 2017 season.

“We know how that turned out with (Wong’s) decision to go to college,” Trapasso said. “We’ll go down to the wire with Cade.”

Hilo High pitcher Joey Jarneski and Waipahu catcher Kobie Russell said they will sign pro contracts. The Texas Rangers selected Jarneski in the 12th round.

“It’s very exciting and humbling to be able to play professional baseball,” said Jarneski, who will begin rookie ball in two weeks. “I wanted to do that ever since I was a young boy.”

Russell will forgo a scholarship from Lewis Clark State to join the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization. He was the Blue Jays’ 17th-round pick.

“This is my dream,” said Russell, who will compete at catcher and third base.

The San Diego Padres chose Kailua High pitcher Joey Cantillo in the 16th round. Cantillo said being drafted was a “surreal moment.” He said he has not decided whether to play professionally or honor a commitment to Kentucky. “I still have to discuss it with my family and go over all the options,” Cantillo said .

Hawaii Pacific pitcher Matthew Gunter was the Blue Jays’ 33rd-round pick. The Tampa Bay Rays picked Punahou outfielder Cole Cabrera in the 37th round.

“I’m speechless,” said Cabrera, who learned of his selection while on a bus with his travel-ball teammates in Utah. “I’m honored and grateful for a team to pick me up. I got to celebrate with my travel teammates.”

Cabrera is scheduled to meet with the Rays before deciding to sign or attend Cal Poly in the fall.

Ryan and Rojas are pleased to continue their baseball careers.

Ryan pitched remarkably in the final two months of the season. He did not allow an earned run in nine Big West games, issuing 10 hits and four walks in 172⁄3 innings.

“By the last month of our season, he was untouchable,” Trapasso said of Ryan.

The Cubs had planned to invite Ryan for a pre-draft workout. But after scouting him breeze through Big West lineups, the Cubs believed they had enough information.

“Casey was generating interest with scouts because (his fastball) was touching 93 (mph),” Trapasso said. “In pro baseball, that’s the biggest factor: the velocity. The sky’s the limit for him.”

Trapasso praised Ryan for emerging as the leader of the pitching staff.

“I wanted to lead by example,” Ryan said. “I love all those guys at Hawaii. I’m thankful for the opportunity. I’m thankful to the coaches, as well, for believing in me and being supportive through my struggles and successes.”

Ryan’s brother, father and uncles played baseball.

“I was born to be a baseball player,” Ryan said. “I loved the Yankees as a little kid, and gravitated toward the Dodgers. Now I’m a Cubs fan.”

Rojas, who made several dazzling defensive plays, was admittedly caught off guard when he was drafted. “It’s been pretty crazy,” he said.

Rojas played second base in 2016, his first season at UH after transferring from a junior college. He moved to third this past season. He said the Astros want him to work out at shortstop initially.

“That makes great sense,” Trapasso said. “He has the ability to play all the positions. He will surprise you because he definitely can play shortstop.”

Trapasso added: “I couldn’t be happier for both those guys because they’re tremendous people first. They deserve it. We’ll be following them.”