Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Monday, June 5, 2000
Expos pick
Wayne No. 5 in
today’s draft
Ex-Punahou standout
the highest selection ever
from Hawaii; four others
get calls today from MLBChoice of pro or college not easy for preps
By Al Chase
Star-BulletinJustin Wayne became the highest draft pick ever from Hawaii today when the Montreal Expos selected him No. 5 overall in the first round of the major league baseball amateur free agent draft.
The highest previous Hawaii selection was Mike Campbell, taken seventh overall in 1985 by Seattle.
Wayne, a junior at Stanford University, leaves with the Cardinal tomorrow night for the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder has a career 30-4 record at Stanford.
Dane Sardinha, a catcher from Kamehameha and Pepperdine, was selected in the second round by the Cincinnati Reds.
He was the 46th pick overall after being the 59th overall selection three years ago.
Kahi Kaanoi, a right-handed pitcher from Kamehameha was taken in the 7th round by the Kansas City Royals.
Brandon Chaves, University of Hawaii at Hilo shortstop, was taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th round, the 299th overall pick.
Keoni DeRenne, Iolani and Arizona, was the Atlanta Braves 12th round pick. The shortstop was the 370th overall selection.
The Expos showed a tremendous amount of interest in Wayne.
"It's a team where I should have a good chance to move up in the organization," Wayne said. "I think that is good for both of us. Right now the priority is to go to Omaha, win a national championship and get a ring."
Wayne, who throws a heavy fastball that has tailing action in the strike zone, is the co-Pacific-10 Conference Pitcher of the Year.
In 131-1/3 innings this season Wayne struck out 145 while walking 39. He has a 3.08 earned run average and opponents manage just a .223 batting average against him.
"Kahi is the main guy as far as high school is concerned," said Kansas City scout Eric Tokunaga. "He is like the perfect kid. He's talented, has the right attitude, an old school competitor."
Kaanoi was the 194th pick overall.
The Florida Marlins made Adrian Gonzales, a first baseman from Eastlake High School in Bonita, Calif., the No. 1 overall selection.
