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DRAFT 2008 - STATE-BY-STATE PREVIEW
HAWAII

2008 FOLLOW LIST

OVERVIEW: 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), Bronson Sardinha (Yankees, 2001, first round) and his older brother 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’s prep ranks who have played in the majors in the last couple of years.

A year ago, Hawaii produced one high school draft pick—in the 32nd round. Moreover, only three players were drafted who had played high school baseball in the nation’s 50th state, compared with 10 a year earlier. The number of 2007 big leaguers who used the Hawaii high-school ranks as a launching pad had dwindled to seven.

With Hawaii high schools no longer producing pro-level talent at the rate it once did, the University of Hawaii hasn’t been as much of a factor of late in the draft, either. The Rainbows have six players listed on the attached 2008 follow list who are considered possible draft picks this year, and none are local products. There are four high-school players on the list who are considered potential drafts this year, but only one has made a commitment to attend the University of Hawaii if he doesn’t sign a pro contract. Most simply lack the physical development to play at the pro level out of high school.

There is no disconnect between the university and high school coaches on the islands; it’s just a sign of the lack of pro-level talent that is being developed in Hawaii.

STRENGTH: Catchers.
WEAKNESS: Home-grown talent.
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 2.

Best Out-of-State Prospect, Hawaii Connection: Derrick Saito, lhp, Cal Poly (Attended high school in Wailuku).
Top 2009 Prospect: Matthew McDaniel, lhp-1b, Mid-Pacific Institute, Mililani.
Top 2010 Prospect: Josh Slaats, rhp, U. of Hawaii.

Highest Pick, Draft History: Mike Campbell, rhp, U. of Hawaii (1985, Mariners/1st round, 7th pick).
Highest Pick, 2006 Draft: Steven Wright, rhp, U. of Hawaii (Indians/2nd round).
Highest Pick, 2007 Draft: Tyler Davis, rhp, U. of Hawaii (Padres/21st round).

Best College Team: Hawaii.
Best High School Team: Punahou (Honolulu).

TOP PROSPECTS / By Allan Simpson

GROUPS (College, Junior College, High School)
 1 Premium-round draft (Rounds 1-3)
2 High-round draft (Rounds 4-10)
3 Mid-round draft (Rounds 11-25)

GROUP TWO
Rank Player Pos. Class B-T HT WT College Hometown Prev. Drafted B’date
1 Matt Daly RHP Jr. R-R 5-11 185 Hawaii Yorba Linda, Calif. Never drafted 8/14/1986
SCOUTING REPORT (3/1): Daly was winless at 0-4 when he pitched the first no-hitter of the 2007 Cape Cod League season on July 25 in a 4-1 win over Wareham. Most impressive was that he recorded the final out of the game with his eighth strikeout on a fastball recorded at 95 mph. Overall, he went 1-4, 4.25 on the season with 47 strikeouts in 42 innings. At Hawaii in 2007, Daly went 5-2, 3.38 with 80 strikeouts in 75 innings while being used primarily in relief. In 25 appearances, he made only seven starts. Hawaii’s plan has been to use him as its Friday starter in 2008. Daly has a quick, powerful arm but a max-effort delivery in a small, stubby body, which may impact his ability to be a starter over the long haul. He has good upper body strength and a sturdy lower half but gets little downhill plane on his pitches. He has good stuff, however, with a fastball normally in the 91-94 mph range, a slider and curveball. He is a bulldog competitor with a closer mentality and impressive poise. He is adept at finding a hitter’s weakness. Scouts are concerned about a pronounced head snap at the start of his delivery but it does not appear to impair his ability to throw strikes—though his fastball command wavers at times.--ALLAN SIMPSON
UPDATE (5/15): Daly did little to help himself in the draft this spring as he went 5-5, 5.31 with two saves while alternating between the rotation and bullpen. He was wildly inconsistent, showing dominating stuff at times but little feel for pitching in other appearances. Most disturbing were his 65 walks in 81 innings—a factor of a pronounced head jerk in his maximum-effort delivery that impacted his control. But he also flashed the ability to throw four pitches for strikes, on occasion, including his fastball which peaked at 96 mph but was more commonly in the low 90s. He gets little movement on the pitch, however, and with his small frame must keep it down in the zone to survive as his pitches otherwise arrive at the plate on a flat plane as he’s a sub-six-footer. Though he has the repertoire to start, he appears best suited to close in the future because he has the tough, hard-nosed mentality desired in the role and can pump his fastball to the mid-90s consistently in short bursts.—AS
 


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