Baseball
MPI graduate Kiner-Falefa reaches terms with Rangers






Recent Mid-Pacific Institute graduate Isiah Kiner-Falefa has come to financial terms with the Texas Rangers, who drafted him in the fourth round Friday in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

The 130th overall selection - two behind Waiakea's Kean Wong - said has agreed to a below-slot bonus plus college tuition for when his pro career ends. He said he will sign as soon as he receives the contract. The MLB assigned bonus for the 130th slot is $385,900.

"I think it's $350,000 with education," Kiner-Falefa said.

Last year, Baldwin graduate Branden Kaupe was a fourth-round pick of the New York Mets. The 140th selection had a slot value at $323,900. According to Baseball America, he signed for $225,000.

Kiner-Falefa, who had signed a letter of intent to play at San Jose State, said he will report to training camp June 14 in Surprise, Ariz.

The two-time first-team Interscholastic League of Honolulu all-star shortstop said the Rangers had been in contact with him for a while. Kiner-Falefa said scouts noticed him when they came to watch teammate Marcus Doi, regarded as one of the state's top prospects.

"I just wasn't making it public or anything," Kiner-Falefa said. "They came to see him (Doi) and they saw me, too, so it opened doors."

The past two months have been incredible for Kiner-Falefa. He helped the Owls win the state championship last month and graduated from MPI. And now he has a job.

"These last two months have been great," he said. "I'm so excited. I can't wait for the future."



Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].



MORE STORIES

Community bids farewell to Aiea High Stadium

Final event on the field at Aiea High School featured music and food and ushered in the soon-to-be constructed...

Repeat champion Warriors led by Campbell, Kahoohanhano

Kamehameha-Maui swept top honors following a second straight state championship, led by OPOY Zedekaiah...

All-Hawaii D1 picks led by Aiea's Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo, Kailua's Honebein

Na Alii's Hiki Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo named Offensive Player of the Year and Surfriders' Ben Honebein named...

Campbell sweeps All-Hawaii Open Division honors

Seniors Brayden Medeiros and Tainoa Lave were named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively;...

PAC-5's Ahu, Mililani's Hookala headline All-Hawaii D1 teams

Wolfpack senior infielder Alika Ahu and Trojans' senior pitcher Zayne Hookala were named Position Player...

Napoleon-Umeda did it all in Honokaa's Division II title march

Senior utility Josyah Napoleon-Umeda was a threat both on the mound and at the plate in the Dragons'...