BASEBALL
Antolin to sign with Jays
Dustin Antolin's 90 mph fastball has translated into a professional contract with the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
The right-handed pitcher who just graduated from Mililani High School will sign the deal tomorrow, according to his father, Lawrence. The Antolins declined to disclose the amount of the signing bonus, but said it accounts for the most important thing: Dustin's future college costs.
"They gave us more than we asked for," the father said. "And the education part was an important piece."
Antolin leaves for Florida and his first professional assignment a week from today.
He was the first of 11 players with local ties chosen during last week's Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, in the 11th round.
Meanwhile, UH infielder Jon Hee leaves tomorrow for Lowell, Mass. It's the home of the Spinners, the short-season Single-A farm team of the Boston Red Sox.
"They haven't told me yet where they want me to play, but I think it'll probably be second," Hee said.
The Mid-Pacific graduate was picked in the 21st round last Friday. He said he's come to terms and will sign when he arrives.
Like most new pros, his biggest adjustment will be swinging lumber instead of metal.
"I've been hitting a little with the wood, and I've got some experience with it from summer leagues," said Hee, who batted .368 as a senior at UH.
Rainbows catcher Landon Hernandez said it's "about 50-50" that he'll return to Manoa for his senior season. But that could change if the Tigers, who picked him in the 50th round, give him a good enough offer.
"But I haven't talked to them yet, so I can't make a decision," Hernandez said in a phone interview last night.
Hernandez batted .277 and hit five homers in 2008, second on the team.
Also, a Maui source said former Baldwin High lefty Derrick Saito signed with the Kansas City Royals after being selected in the 16th round Friday.
Star-Bulletin reporter Jason Kaneshiro contributed to this report