UH’s Brewster, Torres-Costa to sign major-league deals
Hawaii's Quintin Torres-Costa delivered in the top of the eighth inning against the Nevada Wolf Pack in March 2014 at Les Murakami Stadium.
Hawaii pitchers L.J. Brewster and Quintin Torres-Costa both confirmed Thursday that they will sign professionally and forgo their remaining eligibility with the University of Hawaii.
Brewster and Torres-Costa were among three Hawaii pitchers taken in this week’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Brewster will fly to Florida on Saturday to sign, pending a physical, with the Miami Marlins, who drafted the right-hander in the 22nd round.
Torres-Costa said Thursday he has agreed to terms on a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Torres-Costa will fly to Arizona on Saturday to meet with the Brewers to sign pending a physical. He had two years of college eligibility left as a redshirt sophomore but said he’s ready to play at the next level.
“It has always been my dream to play professional baseball and I think UH for the opportunity that they gave me,” Torres-Costa said. “But now I feel like I am ready to take that next step toward my goal, which is to play Major League Baseball.”
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Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Torres-Costa was selected in the 35th round by the Brewers with the No. 1,051 overall pick.
After redshirting his freshman year after suffering an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, Torres-Costa came back this season and was named to the All-Big West Conference second team.
He was 1-3 with a 4.00 ERA in 36 innings but didn’t give up a run in 18 1/3 innings in conference play.
Brewster and Torres-Costa are the 11th and 12th Hawaii pitchers to sign professionally since the 2010 draft. Right-hander Tyler Brashears could also sign this summer, which would increase that total to 13 in five years.
“We’re very excited for Tyler, L.J. and Quintin,” Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said in a press release on Wednesday. “They deserve all the credit for their hard work and dedication.
“This is also a great positive for UH baseball — proof that our program develops pitchers as none of the three were drafted out of high school.”
Brashears has until July 17 to decide whether to sign or return to school.
