DENNIS ODA
Saint Louis High School baseball team visits Mid-Pacific. The St. Louis catcher
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The University of Hawaii baseball team lost its fifth commitment for 2014 as former Saint Louis catcher Iolana Akau will sign with the Oakland Athletics.
Akau was selected in the 20th round (No. 611 overall) of last month’s MLB draft. He’s expected to take his physical early next week before reporting for minor league ball.
Since the contract hasn’t officially been signed, the Akau family was advised not to comment publicly. However, they did inform Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso of their decision Thursday morning.
Akau is the fourth UH signee and fifth Rainbow Warrior commit overall to sign with a pro team after getting drafted, joining left-handed pitcher Blake Taylor, first basemen Jake Bauers and David Denson and infielder Kean Wong.
Akau was ranked in the Baseball America top 100 prior to the start of his senior season, when he injured his hand.
He was rated as the No. 359 draft-eligible prospect in early June.
Akau is the first catcher with local ties selected by the Athletics since Baldwin alumnus Kurt Suzuki was drafted out of Cal State Fullerton in 2004.
He’s one of two players with local ties drafted by the A’s this summer. Waianae alumnus Ben McQuown, who played his senior season at Campbell University in North Carolina this year, was taken in the 30th round.
McQuown is currently hitting .381 (8-for-21) for the organization’s rookie team in the Arizona league.
Akau is the first Saint Louis player drafted out of high school since Cameron Bayne in 2006.
