Friday, June 5, 1998
UH Hilo pitcher
Yates signs with
Oakland Athletics
He was selected Tuesday
By Al Chase
in the amateur
free agent draft
Star-BulletinTyler Yates became the first Hawaii player selected in the recent major-league amateur free-agent draft to turn pro.
The 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher from the University of Hawaii at Hilo said last night he had agreed to terms with the Oakland Athletics. Yates was picked in the 23rd round Tuesday.
"It was a tough decision. I wondered if I should go back to school or take the opportunity to play pro ball," Yates said. "I thought it was a great opportunity to play pro ball, so I took it."
Yates didn't disclose the amount of his signing bonus, but said he was satisfied with it.
He will sign a contract early next week and report to Oakland's rookie-league team in the Arizona League next weekend.
Yates averaged 8.1 strikeouts per game for the Vulcans this past season while compiling a 2-4 record with one save.
"I think he's got a lot left in his arm and still a lot left to develop," UHH head coach Joey Estrella said. "I'm excited for him and the opportunity, but I'm sad he won't be back with us next year. I think Oakland made a good choice."
The decision to limit the draft to 50 rounds by major-league teams might have been an advantage to college teams hoping to keep recruits for the 1999 season.
Just two of the nine University of Hawaii recruits were drafted.
Left-hander C.C. Sabathia, a first-round pick by the Cleveland Indians, is expected to sign. One wire story said he planned to sign June 15, the day he graduates from Vallejo (Calif.) High School.
Andy Pratt, a left-hander from Chino Valley (Ariz.) High School, was a ninth-round pick by the Texas Rangers. UH pitching coach Carl Furutani is anxiously awaiting Pratt's decision.
A Texas representative met with the Pratt family last night and offered Andy a contract. According to Andy's father, Tom, the family then requested a meeting with someone higher up in the Rangers' organization.
"We're just hearing everything they have to say," Tom Pratt said. "We never really knew it would go this far after Andy signed with UH. He really blossomed this year.
"We have a commitment to UH and a commitment to Andy. We're trying to weigh the good and bad (of his turning pro)."
UH left fielder Greg Millichap wasn't drafted, which surprised him.
"The (Montreal) Expos called once to see if I was interested in a free-agent contract, but they haven't called back," Millichap said. "If nothing happens, I'll go back to school on the mainland."
Neither Hawaii Pacific right-hander Jesse Brown nor left-hander Ian Perio (Castle High School and Laney College) were selected.
"To tell you the truth, I'm not going to go as a free agent," said Brown, who is engaged and has a job interview tomorrow. "I don't want to get my hopes up and have them dropped. I just want to get going with my life."
Perio said he wasn't disappointed. He has a full ride to Arizona State next year and is excited about pitching for the Sun Devils, who are one win away from the College World Series championship.
