Hawaii prep players drafted on final day

Hilo's Joey Jarneski (left), Kailua's Joey Cantillo (center), Waipahu's Kobie Russell (right) and Punahou's Cole Cabrera led Wednesday's selections with ties to Hawaii. ScoringLive photo illustration

Hawaii high school players topped the third and final day of the Major League Baseball Draft on Wednesday.

Hilo's Joey Jarneski was selected in the 12th round (374th overall) by the Texas Rangers. The right-handed pitcher was slated to pitch at Connors State College in Oklahoma with plans to transfer to the University of Kentucky.

Kailua's Joey Cantillo, a left-handed pitcher, was taken in the 16th round (468th overall) by the San Diego Padres. He attended a Padres pre-draft workout about a week ago. He is ScoringLive's All-Hawaii Player of the Year and much like the previously mentioned Joey (Jarneski), Cantillo had plans to join the University of Kentucky.

Waipahu utility player Kobie Russell was called in the 17th round (519th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched and played shortstop for the Marauders, but was drafted as a catcher. He was signed to play for three-time defneding NAIA National Champion Lewis-Clark State College.

Punahou outfielder Cole Cabrera was taken in the 37th round (1099) by the Tampa Bay Rays. He has signed with Cal Poly.

Rounds 11 to 40 concluded Wednesday.

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Others with ties to Hawaii taken were:

University of Hawaii pitcher Casey Ryan (18th, 555) by the Chicago Cubs.

University of Hawaii infielder Josh Rojas (26th, 781) by the Houston Astros.

Hawaii Pacific University pitcher Matthew Gunter (33rd ,999) by the Blue Jays.