Top Hawaii 2019 MLB Draft Prospects

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State List Talent Ranking: ????
(Stars are listed on a 1 to 5 scale relative to what the state typically produces, with 1 being the weakest)

1. Shane Sasaki, OF, Iolani HS, Honolulu, Hawaii (BA RANK: 191)
Source: HS • Ht: 6-0 • Wt: 160 • B-T: R-R • Commitment/Drafted: Cal Poly

The top 2019 draft prospect from Hawaii, Sasaki is a 6-foot, 160-pound center fielder with a solid all-around package and good instincts on the field. Sasaki’s best tool at the moment might be his running ability, which is a 55-grade tool that allows him to cover expansive ground in the outfield when paired with excellent jumps off the bat. He has solid-average arm strength. Offensively, Sasaki has sneaky pop for how small he is, and scouts think he could get to average power and be an average hitter at the next level. He has a big, aggressive swing that could lead to more whiffs in the future, but it works just fine for him at the moment. While there’s no obvious plus tool with Sasaki, there’s no real hole in his game either, and that could be enough for a team to try and buy him out of his Cal Poly commitment on Day 2.

2. Dylan Thomas, RHP, Hawaii (BA RANK: 402)
Source: 4YR • Ht: 6-4 • Wt: 205 • B-T: R-R • Commitment/Drafted: Twins ’18 (38)

A 6-foot-4, 205-pound reliever, Thomas has stymied batters out of the Hawaii bullpen for two years now thanks to a heavy diet of sliders. While Thomas did get three starts this spring during his redshirt junior season, he’s worked mostly out of the bullpen, posting a 1.84 ERA in 49 innings, with 52 strikeouts and just 11 walks. Thomas mostly works in the 89-91 mph range with a fastball that has plenty of cutting life, and also throws an occasional changeup. His slider is his go-to pitch now, though scouts are curious about what he would look like at the next level if he added a few ticks of velocity and got another chance to start. He’s a strong strikethrower and rarely beats himself, but an unusually calm demeanor on the mound makes scouts think he could also thrive in a reliever role.

3. Bryson Ewaliko, RHP, Kailua (Hawaii) HS (BA RANK: 492)
Source: HS • Ht: 6-0 • Wt: 180 • B-T: R-R • Commitment/Drafted: –

Ewaliko is a somewhat undersized (6-foot, 180-pound) righthander with solid arm strength. He sits 88-92 mph and can touch 93. His below-average control and inconsistent slurve both will need plenty of refinement. Ewaliko isn’t particularly projectable, but his control and breaking ball could improve in pro ball.

4. Maaki Yamazaki, 2B/SS, Hawaii
Source: 4YR • Ht: 6-0 • Wt: 185 • B-T: L-R • Commitment/Drafted: Never Drafted

5. Dustin Demeter, INF, Hawaii
Source: 4YR • Ht: 6-1 • Wt: 190 • B-T: L-R • Commitment/Drafted: Marlins ’16 (38)

6. Adam Fogel, OF, Hawaii
Source: 4YR • Ht: 6-5 • Wt: 205 • B-T: R-R • Commitment/Drafted: Never Drafted