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Star-Bulletin Sports


Tuesday, June 6, 2000


M A J O R _ L E A G U E _ B A S E B A L L




Associated Press
Justin Wayne, from Hawaii, was one of
Stanford's NCAA Super Regional heroes.



Wayne on top
of own world

The Punahou graduate is
honored to be drafted No. 1
by the Montreal Expos

Six more drafted today

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Tapa

Seven players with Hawaii ties were selected yesterday in the first 17 rounds of the major league amateur free agent draft.

That's the most Hawaii talent taken that high ever, besting by one the number picked last year and in 1981, 1983 and 1985.

Justin Wayne started the parade when the right-handed pitcher was picked by Montreal in the first round, No. 5 overall.

Dane Sardinha was a second round pick by Cincinnati, Kahi Kaanoi went in the seventh round to Kansas City, Pittsburgh chose Brandon Chaves in the 10th round, Keoni DeRenne went to Atlanta in the 12th round, Ian Perio was selected by Boston in the 14th round and Kaulana Kuhaulua was a 17th-round pick by St. Louis.

Twenty of the 50 rounds were completed yesterday.

Negotiations will start soon for the players except Wayne, who takes a Spanish final today, then a red eye flight to Omaha, Neb., for the College World Series.

"I've spoken with Montreal and they asked how we felt about playing for them," said Wayne's father Jeff, an attorney who will handle his son's negotiations.

"I told them Justin would be honored, that we have no preconceived notions as long as we're treated fairly.

"They are very sensitive to the fact he has pitched a lot of innings this year. They will be making a big investment and want to bring him along slowly."

The Expos indicated they plan to give Justin three or four weeks off, bring him to their Florida spring training facility to meet the staff, then fly him and his family to Montreal for an introduction to the media.

The reaction in the Sardinha household was different.

"We got a call from a scout who said Dane wasn't taken in the first round. It was shock and disappointment after all the hype of the last week and a half," his mother, Darneen, said. "It was like a replay of three years ago."

Sardinha, rated by most as the best or second best catcher available after three years at Pepperdine, was the fifth catcher taken.

The Sardinhas hadn't heard from Cincinnati by last night.

Agent Scott Boros, who advised Sardinha when he was drafted by Kansas City in 1997, will continue in that role until Dane signs. This protects his college eligibility until an agreement is reached.

Kaanoi, who signed a letter of intent with Arizona State, said school was not a big option.

"I really just want to to play. My main goal is to make it all the way to the top," the right-hander from Kamehameha said.

Chaves, the University of Hawaii at Hilo shortstop, said he was surprised at how early he was selected by the Pirates.

"I feel I'm ready to play at the pro level, to see if I can compete," Chaves said. "I still have two more years college eligibility, so I'll wait and see what they offer. It's funny, because no Pittsburgh scout talked to me all year."

DeRenne was real nervous Sunday and it didn't get any better as the 10th round was posted on the internet yesterday. So he went to Iolani, his alma mater, to help with a baseball clinic.

"I got down a little bit emotionally and thought maybe it wasn't meant to be," DeRenne said.

"When I got there, my mother, Debbie, called to say Atlanta had picked me. It's a great organization that produces championship teams, so I feel very honored."

"If we did not think Keoni had the ability and make up to be a championship type player for the Atlanta Braves we would not have drafted of him," said Roy Clark, Braves' scouting director.

DeRenne, a shortstop throughout his career, was drafted as a second baseman. He's aware the Braves have 19-year-old Rafael Furcal at shortstop now.

"I wouldn't mind being a part of that double play combination. We might have the shortest middle infield in the big leagues."

Perio, the Castle High School graduate who pitched for the University of San Francisco this spring, said he was excited, but had mixed feelings.

"I'm anxious, but I don't know what to expect. The easy part is over. Now I have to prove myself all over again," said Perio, who is a senior and will sign.

"I kind of expected to be a little higher or real low, not in the middle," said Kuhaulua, a shortstop from Waianae and Los Angeles City College.

"Last year I didn't expect to get drafted because I hadn't done that well and struck out a lot. This year I expected to get drafted, but I think I will go back to school.

MAJOR-LEAGUE MATERIAL

A list of players with Hawaii ties that were drafted in the first 17 rounds:

Player Position Round Overall pick Team
Justin Wayne Pitcher 1st No. 5 Montreal
Dane Sardinha Catcher 2nd No. 46 Cincinnati
Kahi Kaanoi Pitcher 7th No. 194 Kansas City
Brandon Chaves Shortstop 10th No. 299 Pittsburgh
Keoni De Renne Shortstop 12th No. 370 Atlanta
Ian Perio Pitcher 14th No. 422 Boston
Kaulana Kuhaulua Shortstop 17th No. 503 St. Louis



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