Rainbows in transition
By dreardon
Disappointed in the University of Hawaii baseball team’s 1-3 season-opening series against Oregon, including two very lopsided losses?
If you are, you weren’t paying attention.
This team is undergoing the biggest offseason makeover in 11-year coach Mike Trapasso’s tenure. And I can’t remember a bigger one during Les Murakami’s time either.
You don’t replace the entire infield, half of the starting rotation and most of the relief staff without missing a beat.
Fortunately for UH, though, it will almost always be in the game when Matt Sisto or Jarrett Arakawa is on the mound.
There’s going to be some rough sailing in the early going, but the Rainbows should win at least four of their five games against Wagner this week.
Positives and negatives after the first four games:
Plusses — Better overall defense than early last season, better overall speed. Collin Bennett looks like he’ll be OK at third and was productive at the plate. Conner George looks like he’s ready to live up to his potential. Freshmen Stephen Ventimilia and Kaeo Aliviado will wear down opposing pitchers and win games for UH.
Minuses — Lack of effective pitching after Sisto, Arakawa, Jesse Moore and David Longville; lack of consistent hitting with runners on and no power hitting.
Quick Reads
February 21st, 2012 at 7:26 am
DR: Went to one of the games and saw one on TV. Pitching needs work or a better pitching coach? Hitting needs work or a better hitting coach? Baseball is the only game I know where defense cannot score points. Therefore, 51 percent of the time coaches need to concentrate on offense, at the very least.
February 21st, 2012 at 9:01 am
True test for UH comes this weekend. If they struggle in the five game series against Wagner, then Trap is looking at a long season. Wagner is a nobody in college baseball.
February 21st, 2012 at 9:15 am
If nothing else this team will be fun to watch. I agree pitching has to come together beyond Sisto, Arakawa & Moore. Ventimilia, George & Kitamura all looked good. Aliviado will be an exciting player to watch when his bat comes around. Much like last season where the team struggled to hit with men on, this is going to be a key area offensively.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:18 am
Dave,
I, too, wished Friday’s OPENER had been televised, John Fink should have stepped in and made a special one time deal.
Anyway, yep, #3 and #4 spot in the pitching rotation needs help, but I have high hopes for, Dowdy and Squier, also local product Lawerence Chew looks like he can help some. I think we need a closer and a long reliefer, I vote for Dowdy and Jesse Moore. Sorry, I didnt get to see Longville pitch.
I believe Coach Trapasso has a dilemma on his hands, even if it may be pleasant one. I see as playing time for the position player, and what position, they should play. Bennett is our power, but a little rough at third base, happy to see C. George playing well and making Great Plays at first base although a little rough, needs practice to help the double plays(hitting okay). The Dilemma is Max Duval seems to be much smoother and at home at first base, but he needs to hit. I think the infield will have a different look at the end of the year, maybe the Wagner series will help the Coach decide, high and wide throws from third will not do it, the arm and a finese first base guy will help the inexperience pitcher. Yeah, Kaeo, will definitely be a crowd pleaser.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:45 am
“…lack of consistent hitting with runners on and no power hitting.” This is the key. Especially no power hitting….yet.
February 21st, 2012 at 2:32 pm
I agree . . . my biggest concern was the pitching. Hitting tends to come around, but usually pitching needs to be there from the beginning. Offensively, we should have a pretty scrappy team. Power hitting has nearly been removed from college baseball anyway. We learned that last year.
Other concern? UH vs. Oregon should have been on tv . . . all four games.
February 22nd, 2012 at 7:15 am
Coach Trapasso now has much needed pitching and batting coaches on his staff which should yield solid improvements. The Warrior baseball has relied too long on coaches Trapasso and Konishi to do it all. Recruiting of local high school stars has also improved significantly. Last year was a breakout year for Hawaii and I see us being a college powerhouse for many years to come.
February 27th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
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June 14th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
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