MLB Draft arrives for Lomavita, other top prospects from Hawaii

The 2024 MLB Draft will begin at 1 p.m. HST on Sunday, with multiple names from Hawaii expected to get selected over the course of the 20 rounds, which will be spread out over three days and conclude on Tuesday.

Saint Louis alumnus and California catcher Caleb Lomavita is widely regarded as a Day 1 pick and the top prospect from Hawaii since Kodi Medeiros was taken 12th overall in 2014.

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While Lomavita isn’t projected to go as high as Medeiros, scouts have praised about his ability to hit for both power and average, a rarity for the catcher position, where Lomavita will get his first crack as a professional defensively. However, it is believed he is athletic enough to switch positions on the diamond if need be.

Lomavita was considered a legitimate draft prospect out of high school in 2021, but his gamble on himself will pay off handsomely, as a Day 1 selection was not as definitive for Lomavita prior to college ball.

Meanwhile, Kamehameha outfielder Jace Souza is viewed as a likely Day 2 selection. The centerfielder has impressed scouts with his athleticism and fluidity from the left side both in the outfield and at the plate. Although he signed a National Letter of Intent to play college baseball at Texas Tech, starting his professional career this summer would negate that.

Joining Lomavita and Souza as the third player with Hawaii ties at last month’s MLB Combine was Kansas infielder and Mid-Pacific alumnus Kodey Shojinaga. Shojinaga is the rare prospect who is draft eligible after two years at a four-year school instead of the customary three due to the fact that he turned 21 before the draft.

With a 6-foot-8 frame, mid-90s fastball and developing slider, Kamehameha-Maui right-handed pitcher Ka’imi Kahalekai has been the subject of intrigue for scouts, compelling dozens to travel to the Valley Isle during the MIL regular season to watch him pitch. He recently decommitted from the University of Texas, which changed coaches from David Pierce to Jim Schlossnagle. Like Souza, Kahalekai is a realistic candidate to skip college in favor of turning pro early.

Consensus state player of the year Sean Yamaguchi, a senior shortstop for Saint Louis who has signed a Letter of Intent with Nevada, has also been monitored by the pro ranks throughout the year. Scouts have raved about Yamaguchi’s intangibles, as well as his feel for the game.

University of Hawaii teammates Jordan Donahue and Austin Machado are viewed as UH’s most viable candidates to get selected and bypass their respective senior seasons in Manoa.

Also getting reps in the MLB Draft league are a pair of recent ILH graduates in Jacob Remily (Maryknoll) and Tanner Chun (Saint Louis). Remily will play collegiately at San Jose State, while Chun previously signed a letter of intent with Tulane, although both have shown characteristics throughout the spring that have piqued the interest of scouts. Chun has height at 6-foot-1 with a plus arm, while Remily, who is 6-foot-6, has a fastball in the low to mid-90s with good feel for his secondary pitches.

Former Kamehameha catcher Aukai Kea moved away to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior season of high school baseball and will head to Vanderbilt for college.

Hawaii Pacific outfielder Kota Suzuki was a late addition to the MLB Draft league after setting an HPU record for hits in a season (72). The Japanese outfielder was a two-year starter for the Sharks, hitting a staggering .413 in 50 games in 2024.

Like Suzuki, Clemson infielder and ‘Iolani alumnus Jacob Hinderleider could be a senior sign as a pick in the latter rounds. Hinderleider, who spent half of 2024 starting at first base for the Tigers and the other half at shortstop, hit .336 with 13 home runs this spring.