Rainbow Warriors head for summer baseball leagues

wcc

May 24, 2026 - 16:34

0 1

Rainbow Warriors head for summer baseball leagues

Three days after being eliminated from the Big West Tournament in Irvine, Calif., most of the Hawaii baseball team returned to Honolulu on Saturday.

It will be a brief layover for players who will be returning to the continent to play in summer leagues, participate in conditioning programs or rest from the grind of a four-month season.

Associate head coach Keith Zuniga and assistant coaches Dave Nakama and Jordan Twohig have been on scouting missions the past week. The Rainbow Warriors already have received commitments from at least 12 prospects — a number that will grow after the month-long transfer portal opens on June 1. The ’Bows are seeking seeking physical contact hitters and pitchers with swing-and-miss or soft-contact abilities.

There are no plans for the ’Bows’ three starting pitchers — juniors Isaiah Magdaleno and Hekili Robello and freshman Brody Martin-Grudzielanek — to pitch in summer leagues. Magdaleno and Robello are both eligible for the 20-round Major League Baseball draft on July 11-13.

Magdaleno, who was named to the All-Big West first team, said he his working on increasing the velocity of his 92-mph fastball. He already throws what has been widely termed an “elite” changeup. Magdaleno has secured representation with Tim Trafficanda of TWC Sports Management.

Left-handed pitcher Grant Garman, who pitched 25 innings in 20 appearances, will play for the Orleans Firebirds in the prestigious Cape Cod League. The intent is for Garman to hone his skills to compete as a starting pitcher.

Tsubasa Tomii, who pitched to a 1.82 ERA in 26 relief appearance this season, will compete in the Cape Cod League for the second consecutive year.

Shortstop Elijah Ickes and third baseman Tate Shimao — both draft eligible — most likely will turn down Cape Cod invitations. After missing 20 games because of a hairline fracture in his left wrist, Ickes went 3-for-4. The next game, he suffered a hamstring injury and did not play in UH’s loss to Cal State Fullerton in the Big West Tournament. UH coach Rich Hill said Shimao will need two or three months for a thumb injury to heal. Infielder Noah Rodriguez, who is scheduled to play in the Northwoods League, is recovering from a hamate injury.

CAPE COD LEAGUE

Grant Garman — Orleans Firebirds

*Elijah Ickes — Orleans Firebirds

*Tate Shimao — Falmouth Commodores

Tsubasa Tomii — Hyannis Harbor Hawks

NORTHWOODS LEAGUE

Koen Barton — Willmar Stingers

David Estrada — Willmar Stingers

Mana Lau Kong — LaCrosse Loggers

Kedren Kinzie — Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Josh Martin — Green Bay Rockers

Jake Redding — LaCrosse Loggers