Tuesday, November 10, 1998

Associated Press
Ben Agbayani is tagged out by Braves second baseman
Tony Graffanino on a steal attempt in a
game earlier this season.

Hitting their stride

Minor leaguers from Hawaii,
like Chris Truby and Keith Luuloa,
hope to keep climbing all the way
to the big leagues

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Chris Truby and Keith Luuloa changed their off-season routines last winter. Their arduous weight-training regimens resulted in upward career mobility.

The focus on training was necessary as both had experienced the frustration of being stuck on the same plateau for several seasons.

Truby, who signed with the Houston Astros in August of 1992 after the Area Code Games instead of enrolling to play for Hawaii Pacific, discovered his power stroke this season.

The 6-foot-2, 200 pounder from Damien, considered to have the best hands of all third baseman in the Houston organization, had 34 career home runs in five years. However, in 1998, he slugged 14 at Kissimmee (Class A Florida State League), added 16 after being promoted to Jackson, Miss. (Class AA Texas League) and one in a season-ending stint at Triple A New Orleans of the Pacific Coast League.

"I was kind of upset when I didn't make it (Jackson roster) in spring training. I was kind of the odd man out," Truby said. "I didn't let it bother me though. I just went out and proved myself and made them move me up.

"I think I've always been capable of hitting home runs, but this year I got a lot stronger and got more aggressive at the plate. This is probably the hardest I've worked in the off-season."

His three-team totals were 162 hits (37 doubles, 7 triples, 31 homers), a .302 batting average and 112 runs batted in.

The Astros have Truby playing in the Arizona Fall League and he is glad for the opportunity.

"That's just another chance to show people what I can do," he said.

Luuloa also finished the season in the PCL at Vancouver, the Anaheim Angels top farm team.

The Molokai High School graduate earned the promotion after a banner season for Midland in the Double A Texas League. A 6-1, 195-pound infielder, Luuloa was named to the Texas League all-star team as a utility player.

"Keith played his way back into being a prospect. He's an outstanding young man who worked hard," said Anaheim's director of player development Jeff Parker. "The more positions he can play, the better his chances of getting to the big leagues and getting there quicker. He can play anywhere in the infield and that's where you get the most out of him."

Luuloa was first in doubles (43), extra base hits (70) and third in batting (.334), RBIs (102), hits (160) and tied in triples (10) in the Texas League. He was fourth in on-base percentage (.419) and fifth in slugging (.572).

Benny Agbayani, outfielder (St. Louis, HPU): Had two quick tastes of major league ball with the New York Mets. He got his first major league hit of Atlanta's Tom Glavine.

"He had a pretty good year considering he did move around quite a bit," said Kevin Morgan of the Mets minor league office. "His numbers are skewed a little bit because of this, but he had a good enough year to get the call up."

Agbayani finished with a .283 average for Class AAA Norfolk, Va. of the International League. He tied his career high of 11 home runs.

He is currently playing winter ball in the Mexican Pacific League.

Darren Blakely, outfielder (UH): Blakely got off to a fast start with Boise in the short-season Class A Northwest League, then watched his batting average slowly slide to a .277 finish.

"He's making progress in the Arizona Instructional League," Parker said. "It's not uncommon to see a kid taper off the end of his first year in professional baseball. He'll come into spring training and probably have a chance to start out with the Lake Elsinore club (Class A California League) and we'll see what happens. It's early, but he's on schedule."

Blakely is working on his switch hitting, his bunting and his defense in Arizona.

Ken Morimoto, second base (Waimea HS, UHH): Morimoto has to wonder what it would be like to play an injury-free season. While not completely recovered from surgery to his right shoulder two years ago, he suffered an odd injury this past season.

While trying to pick up a wild throw to first base that bounced toward second, he collided with Truby and the bill of Truby's batting helmet almost sliced Morimoto's right ear off.

"It put me out for awhile, but plastic surgery fixed the ear," Morimoto said.

He did get to play in the field at second base this year (vs. being a designated hitter in 1997). Starting at Vero Beach in the Class A Florida State League, the 6-foot, 160-pounder earned promotion to the Los Angeles Dodgers' top Class A team (San Bernardino, Calif.) in midseason.

Kelly Phair, shortstop (UH): Started the season for Milwaukee's Class A team (Stockton, Calif.) on the injured list, but played well enough when healthy to move up to Double-A El Paso (Texas League), where he hit .273.

Jason Ross, outfielder (UH): Ross struggled at the plate most of the season, finishing with a .212 batting average.

"He got a league that was difficult. The Carolina League is a good league with some good pitching," said Deric Ladnier, director of minor league operations for the Atlanta Braves.

"He was not able to consistently make the adjustments. It doesn't mean he won't be able to do it. I fully expect him to do it next year."

The 6-4, 215-pounder twisted a knee at the end of the season, but it was nothing major and did not require surgery.

Todd Takayoshi, designated hitter (UH): Completed his playing career and second season with Reno in the independent Western League by hitting .318 and knocking in 61 runs in 84 games.

"I think I'm done unless someone is going to pay me more money than I'm worth," Takayoshi said. "I had a rocky first half, but finished strong."

Takayoshi wants to stay in the pro game as a coach. He and his wife, Saori, are parents of a one-month-old girl, Taegan.