Cade Halemanu goes undrafted by MLB, will return to pitch for Hawaii

A top pitcher is remaining with the University of Hawaii baseball team, and a leading hitter is considering returning to the Rainbow Warriors for the coming academic year.

Right-handed pitcher Cade Halemanu was not selected on Tuesday’s third — and final — day of the Major League Baseball Draft after he turned down what he felt were under-valued proposals. Halemanu plans to build on a breakout year, during which his velocity hit 96 mph, with his sights on the 2022 draft. Halemanu, whose 21st birthday is next month, will have leverage as a fourth-year sophomore with three years of NCAA eligibility remaining.

“This is how it’s always been,” said Halemanu, a 2018 Pearl City High graduate. “I went into college with no scholarship. This is nothing new.”

In 2021, Halemanu, who is 6 feet 4 and 215 pounds, was named to the All-Big West second team after going 5-2 with a 3.60 ERA. He is expected to be placed on scholarship.

Halemanu’s best pitch has been a changeup he first mastered in high school. He drew attention from pro scouts when his fastball touched 96 mph against Cal State Fullerton. “I’m going to get a power breaking ball going,” Halemanu said of this year’s project.

Halemanu said he has met with Rich Hill, who was hired as head coach in June. “He seems like a great, great dude,” Halemanu said. “I’m really excited to play for him.”

This year, spectators were not allowed for UH’s games at Les Murakami except for the final home series, when about 200 family members and close friends were admitted. “It’s going to be a heck of a time at the Les with some fans this year,” Halemanu said.

Outfielder Scotty Scott, who entered the NCAA’s transfer portal in June, said he is considering several options, including returning to UH for a fourth season. Scott has a career .297 average.

“I’ve got some good opportunities in front of me, but I’m still considering UH,” Scott said. “I’ve had good conversations with Coach Hill about potentially coming back. I’m going to let it all play out, pray about it, and whatever happens, happens.”

Scott, who grew up in Texas, has developed strong ties in Hawaii. Scott is a coach with GBG Pono Hawaii, an organization that helps youths develop life and baseball skills. Former UH assistant coach Jerry Kleman runs GBG.

Scott’s affinity is skin deep. He has a tattoo of the Hawaiian islands on his shoulder. Around an ankle is a tattoo of the Koolau Mountains. “I woke up every morning looking at the Koolaus where I lived,” Scott explained. “It’s a part of me. I love Hawaii.”

Three college players with Hawaii ties were drafted on Tuesday. The Houston Astros picked Arizona infielder Kobe Kato (Aiea High) in the 13th round, the New York Mets took Pepperdine middle infielder Wyatt Young (Mid-Pacific Institute) in the 15th round, and the Oakland Athletics used their 20th-round selection on Oregon pitcher Hunter Breault (Kamehameha).