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Wednesday, June 14, 2000
Braves sign DeRenne
By Al Chase
Star-BulletinKeoni DeRenne became the seventh Hawaii player picked in last week's major-league amateur free agent draft to turn professional.
DeRenne signed with the Atlanta Braves on Sunday night. He was selected in the 12th round, the 370th pick overall.
Atlanta scout Daniel Bates was here three days before DeRenne decided to sign.
"I had to evaluate my options about going back to school -- would it benefit me as a player and, more important, as a student," said DeRenne.
"If I did sign, I knew I would have to work harder to get my degree. I want that because no one can take that away from you."
The Braves had the right answers wrapped up in a complete financial package -- signing bonus, money to finish school and incentive money for advancement in the farm system.
DeRenne has been assigned to Jamestown (N.Y.) in the short-season New York-Penn League, the fourth first-year pro from Hawaii sent to that rookie circuit.
"I'm still a little bit nervous because I'm starting a new life. It's a job and, as a professional, people will look at us in a different way," DeRenne said.
The 5-foot-7, 173-pound shortstop wasn't drafted after his senior year at Iolani. He went to the University of Arizona and immediately became a starter.
