[ MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ]
Ka‘aihue upbeat despite
professional setbackThe Iolani graduate is waiting
for a doctor's opinion before
making his next move
The wait to hear his name called at Major League Baseball's first-year player draft on June 4 was long enough.
Now, Kala Ka'aihue faces what might seem like an even longer delay.
Ka'aihue, a 22nd-round draft choice from Iolani, had his contract voided by the Boston Red Sox when he failed a physical before starting workouts with the team at Fort Myers, Fla. Ka'aihue spent three weeks at the club's training facility, but did not get on the field after alerting the organization to an elbow injury he suffered May 29 during an informal workout with the Atlanta Braves. He spent his entire three weeks with the Red Sox rehabbing the elbow before having his contract voided.
"At first I thought it was going to be the worst thing ever because I know I can play with those guys," Ka'aihue said. "But now I might get a better chance at the draft."
Ka'aihue won't make a decision on his future until speaking with Dr. Lewis Yocum, who is medical director for the Anaheim Angels. If Yocum recommends surgery, Ka'aihue would need a year of rehabilitation before he would resume his march toward the big leagues.
But Ka'aihue's future in the pros may have to wait, which is fine with him. Ka'aihue sees the injury as a positive after choosing professional baseball over college.
"I feel good about what's going on because I didn't get to play and have a second chance at going to school," Ka'aihue said. "I think I may have made a mistake and this is a second chance."
Ka'aihue, who signed a letter of intent with Hawaii before being drafted, still has his college eligibility because he didn't hire an agent. He has not contacted UH coach Mike Trapasso because he says he would not ask the coach to take on damaged goods, so everything is on hold until he consults with Yocum. Then Ka'aihue will decide whether to start calling other major league organizations, attend a four-year school or a junior college. Ka'aihue could go to a junior college and be draft eligible next year, while he would have to wait three years if he were to join a four-year program.
Hawaii Pacific coach Allan Sato says Ka'aihue can attend an NCAA Div. II school regardless of eligibility issues because of a rule that allows players at his level to return to school at any time within the first two years of professional ball. Ka'aihue said he doesn't consider Div. II an option.
Trapasso said he was aware of the situation but would not do anything officially until he receives a call from Ka'aihue. He said he is certainly still interested in Ka'aihue, and that his situation is the cautionary tale he relates to recruits.
"It's a shame," Trapasso said from the Perfect Game Wood Bat World Series in Atlanta. "It tells you right there what teams think of a 22nd-round draft choice. It is no surprise, but it is a hard lesson learned that a professional organization doesn't care about you as a person. They will just cut their losses and bail on you unless you are taken in the first 10 rounds."
The Red Sox, though, say they are still interested in Ka'aihue and may even draft him again next year if they have the opportunity.
"The injury is not insurmountable but changed our agreement and forced us to void it," Boston Red Sox Director of Player Development Ben Cherington said. "We do still remain interested and will continue to follow him."
But for now all Ka'aihue can do is sit and wait for the doctor's report. He says even the waiting is not a particularly bad thing.
"I'm just happy I am home," Ka'aihue said. "All the guys there were neat and treated me well, but there was no more aloha. I missed it. I don't know how bad (his elbow) is, but I know I will come back stronger."
