HONOLULU — Five Hawai’i high school graduates heard their name called over the course of the 2025 MLB draft, which was held on Sunday and Monday.
Former Saint Louis Crusader shortstop Aiva Arquette was the first when he was drafted seventh overall in the first round by the Miami Marlins, which has a pick value of $7.15 million. Arquette is the highest Hawai’i-born player drafted since Punahou’s Justin Wayne was drafted fifth overall by the Montreal Expos in 2000.
This wasn’t the first time that Arquette heard his named called in the MLB draft as he was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 18th round in 2022, but he elected to play college baseball at the University of Washington. He spent two years with the Huskies before transferring to Oregon State and helping the Beavers reach the College World Series this past June while hitting .354.
Michael Lasquero
Oregon State shortstop Aiva Arquette runs back to the Beavers dugout after making a play in a non-conference series against Hawai’i on May 4, 2025.
Wailuku-native and Baldwin alum Wehiwa Aloy was the next Hawai’i-born player to be selected in this year’s draft, getting selected 31st overall by the Baltimore Orioles, which has a slot value of $3.04 million.
Aloy started his collegiate career at Sacramento State before transferring to the University of Arkansas for the next two years, with an incredible 2025 season that saw him earn the Golden Spikes Award to help the Razorbacks reach the College World Series semifinals.
It was the first time that two Hawai’i-born players and were selected in the first 40 picks of the MLB draft.
The first player that was selected on day No. 2 of the MLB draft was recent Saint Louis graduate Bruin Agbayani, who just helped the Crusaders win the state championship in May. Agbayani, who signed to play collegiately at the University of Michigan, was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the sixth round with the 179th pick. He is the son of former New York Mets standout Benny Agbayani.
Selected just one pick later by the St. Louis Cardinals was Maryknoll alum and current University of Hawai ’i outfielder Matthew Miura.
Michael Lasquero
Hawai’i outfielder Matthew Miura comes off the field after recording the third out in a game against UC Santa Barbara on March 15, 2025.
The last Hawai’i high school graduate that was drafted in 2025 was King Kekaulike’s Jaxon Grossman, going in the 16th round with pick No. 475 by the Texas Rangers.
Itsuki Takemoto, who played for the University of Hawai’i the past two seasons and is currently in the transfer portal, was selected by the Athletics in the 19th round with pick No. 560.
Current Rainbow Warrior Freddy Rodriguez heard his name called in the final round as the right-handed pitcher was selected 601st overall by the Chicago Cubs.
Michael Lasquero
Hawai’i right-handed reliever Freddy Rodriguez throws a pitch to plate in a game against UC Davis on March 22, 2025.
Another player with Hawai’i-ties that was drafted was Oklahoma State’s left-handed pitcher Harrison Bodendorf, who spent the previous two seasons with the Rainbow Warriors. He was selected in the 10th round with the 312th pick by the Cleveland Guardians.