Rainbows’ McNally
hoping to get the call

The UHpitcher is unsure
if he will be picked in next week's
major league draft

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Andrew McNally isn't sure that telephone call will come in next week's marathon major-league baseball draft.

Not only did the tough-luck pitcher from Perth, Australia, not have a stellar senior season, professional teams only have a limited number of work visas available for foreign players.

"And most of those are used for players in the Dominican Republic and Latin America," McNally said after winning his final start as a Rainbow to finish 4-3 this season and 21-20 in his injury-plagued career.

"I've talked with a lot of scouts and they aren't sure how many spots they'll have open," he said. "So all I can do is wait and see if anybody calls me during the draft. I certainly hope so."

Unlike the National Football League and National Basketball Association drafts, major-league baseball doesn't have a finite number of rounds. The baseball draft generally runs three days and can last as long as 70 rounds.

This year's draft begins June 3. The first round is the only one released to the public. In 1996, former UH pitcher Mark Johnson was the 19th pick overall by the Houston Astros. No UH player will be that high of a choice this year.

UH head coach Les Murakami believes junior pitcher Jay Spurgeon is the only sure selection for the Rainbows this year. The hard-throwing right-hander could go as high as the 10th round.

"He will be drafted, no question," Murakami said. "The scouts like his size (6-foot-6, 220-pounder) and the speed (90-plus mph) on his fastball. They believe they can teach him how to pitch."

Spurgeon returned to his home in Madera, Calif., and is expected to sign a minor-league contract. This year, he finished 2-3 with an ERA of 8.10.

Not exactly eye-popping numbers. But he did lead the team in appearances with 23 and managed 28 strikeouts in 46-2/3 innings.

"I'll wait and see where I'm drafted and what I'm offered before making a decision," Spurgeon said. "The coaches have encouraged me to sign if I want to."

McNally and fellow senior Robert Medeiros wish they had as sure an opportunity. Both are hoping some team will take a chance on them.

"If I don't get drafted," McNally said, "I'll return to school this summer and try to get my own work permit to stay in the United States so a professional team doesn't have to do it for me.

"That way, when winter baseball comes around in October, I'll be in a better position to be signed by someone. All I want is the chance to show what I can do."

McNally burst on the scene in 1993 as a tough-minded pitcher from Down Under. He finished 9-5 his freshman season and is the last UH player to take part in the NCAA postseason parade.

After redshirting in 1996 to pitch for the Australian Olympic team, McNally returned to Hawaii last fall for his senior season.

A nagging groin pull kept McNally from ever reaching his potential. After an excellent performance in the opener against national power Miami of Florida, McNally pitched sporadically until the final month of the season.

He won three of his last four decisions to finish 4-3 with an ERA of 5.72. McNally is first in UH history in starts with 57 and third in strikeouts with 303.

"I'd like to keep pitching for as long as I can," McNally said. "I enjoyed my time at Hawaii. They gave me the chance to pitch at this level and to earn my degree."

Medeiros also is thankful for his four seasons with the Rainbows.

He wound up batting .398 this year, falling one hit shy of becoming only the third UH player to bat .400 for the season.

The Big Island boy's main problem is he doesn't have a position to call home. He can play in the infield, outfield and behind home plate.

Medeiros also can swing the bat, but like McNally, he figures to fall in the late rounds, if he is selected at all.

"I'm hoping for the best, but prepared for the worst," Medeiros said.

"It's tough because I played so many different positions this year. (Something that cost him being selected to the All-Western Athletic Conference team.)

"I'd like to keep playing if the right opportunity came along. But if it doesn't, I'm prepared for the real world. Playing baseball competitively has to end sometime."