HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – It’s been a great showing for Hawaii baseball standouts in this year’s Major League Baseball Draft.
Aiva Arquette and Wehiwa Aloy went off the board early on day one.
St. Louis star Bruin Agbayani and University of Hawaii outfielder Matt Miura had their names called back-to-back in the sixth round.
Hawaii News Now caught up with Miura Monday morning after he received the call of a lifetime.
“My mom was screaming,” Miura said. “She’s been in my ear about ‘Hey, is your phone on you?’ I had my phone on me luckily and got the call. My mom was screaming, my dog was barking. It was a good experience, something I’ll never forget.”
The Rainbow Warriors outfielder and Maryknoll alum was drafted 180th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals.
He’s coming off his best collegiate year where he led the ‘Bows in batting average, hits, and runs scored.
He recently came back from a stint in the premier Cape Cod League, the summer showcase for the country’s best prospects, and feels that’s what helped put him on the Cardinals radar.
“I think it was something I had to do for me to get drafted to be seen,” Miura said. “In Hawaii, obviously growing up, I didn’t have a lot of scouts around me. I didn’t play summer high school travel ball. Going to the Cape was good, it was a good experience, great chance to play against the nation’s best and I really appreciate everyone out there for helping me.”
Miura’s selection is part of a banner draft for local athletes.
Arquette got it started on Sunday, going seventh overall to the Miami Marlins, among the highest ever for a Hawaii-born player.
Aloy went to the Baltimore Orioles at the 31st pick and the Minnesota Twins drafted Agbayani at 179th overall.
The University of Michigan commit can either decided to join the Twins or opt to play college ball and re-enter the draft three years from now.
Agbayani is still considering whether or not to go pro.
The University of Michigan commit can either decided to join the Twins or opt to play college ball and re-enter the draft three years from now.
Either way, the state champion and Gatorade player of the year is just thrilled to follow in the footsteps of his Major League father, Benny Agbayani.
“It’s awesome,” Agbayani said Tuesday. “This is what I dreamed of and my dad knows it. This is his dream for me too to make it to the big leagues like he did, so I’m one step closer.”
Miura calls the wave of local draftees a testament to the state’s talent.
“It shows that Hawaii baseball has some grit to it,” Miura said. “It has some dirty in the mud mentality, like we’ll do whatever it takes to get it done.”
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