Wednesday, July 29, 1998

Luuloa gets ‘A’
for effort
in Double-A

The Molokai High graduate
has made huge strides for
the Angels’ farm team

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

The shock of not starting and being relegated to a utility role was the jolt Keith Luuloa needed to rejuvenate his professional baseball career.

Drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the 33th round in 1993 out of Modesto Junior College, Luuloa progressed to the Double-A level (Midland in the Texas League) in his third season.

He remained at Midland in 1997 and was back there again this spring. Manager Don Long used him at all four infield positions and in left and right field.

Luuloa would play second base (his primary position) one day, spell Troy Glaus at third another and, if lucky, get to start a third game in each five-game series in the outfield.

"When I started the season as a utility player, it was kind of a wake-up call, Luuloa said. "I needed to keep my focus in the right direction.

"Since then, my work ethic has been totally different. Now I know if I slack off there is another person right behind me. It was a good thing for me."

His break came when first baseman Danny Buxbaum got hurt and was out for about 20 days.

"I played first for those games and I just started to hit. It was my opportunity to play and I got hot and stayed hot," Luuloa said.

"He (Long) just put me where he could fit me after that. He believed in me and I thank him for the opportunity. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be in the situation I'm in now."

What's striking about Luuloa's season is the dramatic change in his offensive output. In his first four minor league seasons he hit .267, had a total of 22 home runs and 166 RBIs.

For the past month he has been first or second in the Texas League batting race with an average consistently over .340. He has 11 home runs and is second in RBIs with 86.

He's also third in triples (nine), fourth in doubles (31), tied for first in extra base hits (51) and tied for second in walks (67).

He already has set single-season highs for doubles, triples, homers and RBIs and should surpass his previous high in hits, runs scored and stolen bases.

And he got his starting job back at second base.

"Through circumstances he got the chance to play and really took advantage of it," Long said. "He's got a good attitude and he's playing hard. That's something we expect and get."

"I did hit the weights in the off-season, but I've never hit double figures (in home runs) before," said Luuloa, who has increased his weight to 195, up 20 pounds.

"I told my wife Denise this was going to be a big year for both of us. It's just funny how things worked out. We had our first child (son Ashton) in the off-season. She is graduating from law school. I went to the Double-A All-Star game and made the Texas League All-Star game.

The 6-foot-1 Molokai High School graduate also received a letter from Jeff Parker, the Angels' Director of Player Development, following his all-star selection.

"It was short, but it was reassuring. He told me my accomplishments were being noticed in Anaheim and to keep up the good work," Luuloa said.

Luuloa, who turns 24 the day before Christmas, doesn't get involved in the "what ifs" of professional baseball. He prefers to make his statements on the field. He understands the politics involved.

Yes, he hopes something happens in terms of advancement. His goal the rest of the season is to continue playing well so as to be included on Anaheim's 40-man roster.

"I think I'm more mature at the plate. I'm leading the league in on-base percentage (.438)," he said. "Before, I was over-aggressive and not ready to hit. Now, I don't want to give away any at-bats. I want every at-bat to be perfect. I can't goof off. I want to play every day."

KEITH LUULOA'S
CAREER STATISTICS

Height: 6-1. Weight: 195. Throws: Right. Bats: Right.

Schools: Molokai High School, Modesto (Calif.) Junior College.

Batting record

Year, Team, League                	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	Avg.
1994: Angels, Arizona League  		28	97	14	29	4	1	1	10	.299
1995: Lake Elsinore, Cal. League	102	380	50	100	22	7	5	53	.263
1996: Midland, Texas League  		134	531	80	138	24	2	7	44	.260
1997: Midland, Texas League 		120	421	67	115	29	5	9	59	.273	
1998: Midland, Texas League 		100	362 	67 	123 	31 	9	11 	86 	.340
Minor League totals  			484	1,791	278	505	110	24	33	252	.282

Statistical notes

Led Lake Elsinore in errors (38) and tied with two teammates for most triples (7) in 1995.

Led the Texas League in at-bats (531) in 1996.

Led Midland in games played (134) and runs scored (80) and was second in hits (138), walks (47) and strikeouts per plate appearances (11.02) in 1997.

NOTE: 1998 statistics through games of July 27.