HAWAII/ALASKA 

2007 FOLLOW LIST  

OVERVIEW: The 2007 draft class inHawaii is very thin, with no prospects that are really even considered longshots to go in the top 10 rounds. The senior class at the University of Hawaii has a number of potential drafts, but doesn’t exactly get the blood boiling and there was little reason for crosscheckers to see them this year—especially not if it meant a trip to Hawaii.

If the strength of the Hawaii class is college seniors, then the obvious weakness is the talent at the high school level. It’s practically non-existent for the purposes of this year’s draft. Under the since-abolished draft-and-follow system, there were always a couple of noteworthy Hawaii prep players drafted each year, but that will not be the case this year and no Hawaii prep players are even expected to be drafted. The same also applies to Alaska. That will change with the 2008 class, but we are not there yet.

Less than 10 years ago, Hawaii was a mecca for high school talent with numerous early-round picks. Brandon League (Blue Jays, 2001, second round), Dane Sardinha (Royals, 1997, second round), Shane Victorino (Dodgers, 1999, sixth round) and Jerome Williams (Giants, 1999, first round) are former early-round draft picks from Hawaii who have played in the majors in the last couple of years.

STRENGTH: College seniors.
WEAKNESS: High school class.
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 1.

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Hawaii/Alaska Connection: Keoni Ruth, 2b, Concordia (Calif.) College (Attended high school in Aiea).
Top 2008 Prospect: Matt Daly, rhp, U. of Hawaii.

Highest Pick, Draft History/Alaska: Brian Montalbo, rhp, Dimond HS, Anchorage (2000, Braves/4^th round). Highest Pick, Draft History/Hawaii: Mike Campbell, rhp, U. of Hawaii (1985, Mariners/1^st round, 7^th pick).

Highest Pick, 2006 Draft/Alaska: E.B. Crow, rhp, Sitka HS (Giants/23^rd round). Highest Pick, 2006 Draft/Hawaii: Steven Wright, rhp, U. of Hawaii (Indians/2^nd round).

Best College Team: Hawaii.
Best High School Team: Punahou HS, Honolulu.

TOP 5 PROSPECTS / By Blaine Clemmens

GROUPS (College, Junior College, High School)
         1   High-round draft (Rounds 1-3)
         2   Mid-round draft (Rounds 4-10)
         3   Late-round draft (Rounds 11-25)
         4   Chance draft / Player to follow

GROUP THREE
  Rank   Player                               Pos.       Yr     B-T      HT     WT     School                              Hometown                 Drafted/(Commit)     B’date
        1.   Ian Harrington                  LHP      Sr.     L-L     6-0     190     U. of Hawaii                      Renton, Wash.           Orioles ’04 (37)        4-23-85
SCOUTING REPORT: A case can be made for either Harrington or first baseman Kris Sanchez as the top prospect in Hawaii this year, but since we are dealing with a lefthanded pitcher vs. a one-tool corner position player, the nod goes to the pitcher. For some scouts Harrington is more than a senior sign, he is a good senior draft. He is a crafty lefty with a quality four-pitch mix. He was not drafted as a junior, and was motivated by the snub. His velocity was up as a senior, topping around 89-90 mph and settling in the 86-88 range. He went 7-9, 4.35 with 79 strikeouts in 97 innings this year. Harrington competes and battles on the mound. His best pitch is his changeup, but he also has a quality slider and curveball.