Hilo's Micah Bello (8) avoids a tag against Campbell in the opening round of the 2017 Division I state tournament. Spencer Honda | SL

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Hilo's Micah Bello (8) avoids a tag against Campbell in the opening round of the 2017 Division I state tournament. Spencer Honda | SL

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MANOA — In the midst of the Fall Classic between the Dodgers and Astros, Hilo High's Micah Bello dreams of being a big leaguer some day.

The Vikings' center fielder was among 80 high school players taking part in the annual Hawaii Fall Showcase at Les Murakami Stadium over the weekend. He could be Hawaii's top prep prospect in next June's Major League Baseball Draft.

Bello has verbally commited to St. Mary's in Moraga, Calif., to play center field. But he also has been drawing interest from a number of pro teams, such as Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Seattle and Toronto.

"It's a pretty cool experience," Bello said when pro teams talked to him. "I enjoy it."

The showcase was a first for some, but not Bello. He said he has been attending it since his freshman year. He's done so well over the years he has been to similar events on the Mainland, played for the Reds' Area Code team, as well as with a Perfect Game event in Florida.

The right-handed hitting Bello, who batted .367 last season for the Vikings, said he wants to improve hitting to the opposite field.

"Hitting the outside pitch and driving the ball the opposite way," Bello said. "That's the only thing I need to improve on. That's my weakness; that's why pitchers pitch me outside, so I have to learn how to go that way more."

This showcase was a first for Kamehameha pitcher Christian DeJesus. He did well at an Atlanta Braves tryout camp last summer and took part in a recent showcase in Arizona.

"It's good for all the local kids to come down here, show off what they can do, show off all their talents," DeJesus said. "It really gives us a chance to strive and do things that we love to do."

DeJesus is hoping the showcase can get him exposed to colleges as well. He is still seeking offers, either from a junior college or a Division I program.

He touched 92 mph at the Braves tryout, but hasn't reached that since, he said.

"I didn't do as well as I thought (in Arizona)," he said. "I only hit 90, but I did OK up there."

Another veteran of showcases was Hilo junior infielder Stone Miyao.

"It shows me how I have to get stronger, faster so I can play with the other guys," Miyao said of attending these baseball events. "I need to work on my strength and speed."

Miyao, as well as Kamehameha-Hawaii's Dallas Duarte, a senior, and Tai Atkins, a junior, all said they have verbally committed to play for the University of Hawaii-Manoa.

The Big Island team is coached by Kaha Wong, father of St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong and Rays' minor leaguer Kean Wong, who stopped by the event.

About 20 pro scouts attended the event, said showcase coordinator Casey Onaga, who scouts for Tampa Bay.

The showcase, which was by invitation only, concludes Sunday with more scrimmages between the teams