The Hawaii Sandlot Classic recently concluded, but we’re going to continue featuring impressive names from the event in another edition of the Five Tool Five. Heck, we could go on for a while highlighting impressive talent and performances. 

What is the Five Tool Five? The short, succinct definition: it’s simply a look at five players who recently caught our attention. The long-winded, more detailed explanation: showcasing our coverage from around the United States and highlighting noteworthy baseball talent, skill, performances, news, uncommitted players who colleges should pay attention to and more. We plan to deliver a fresh Five Tool Five every Monday through Friday to help satisfy baseball fans’ hunger for coverage at the amateur level and welcome you to the home of what we believe is the best amateur baseball coverage you’ll find - FiveTool.org.

You never know for certain what you’ll see when you show up to the ballpark at a Five Tool event. Maybe, you’ll look down and realize an uncommitted right-handed pitcher just fired a really impressive heater… 

Uncommitted 2023 righty showed up and threw 93 MPH

Another great example of why this event is fun and one we’re so passionate about: an uncommitted senior shows up and touches 93 MPH on the mound. 

H.P. Baldwin (Hawaii) right-hander Kuhio Aloy showed impressive arm strength and velocity on the mound. It was just a one-inning appearance, but it was a loud one. Aloy, who is a physical, 6-1, 196-pound two-way prospect, only showcased his heater, which sat 88-92 MPH and touched 93 MPH. Occasionally, the pitch featured some natural arm side run. Although he has long arms, Aloy’s length didn’t impact his arm speed or path from back to front. In fact, the fastball jumped on hitters, who reacted as if it had a little extra giddyup. Aloy is the type of prospect a good JUCO makes a move for because with more time on the mound, he could take off in addition to presenting intriguing hitting ability. 

2024 lefty is a good example of needing to scout with more than radar gun

Too often college coaches will scout pitchers with only a radar gun; if a pitcher doesn’t throw hard enough, some will immediately cross the pitcher off the list. Make no mistake, professional baseball has told us for years now what impacts run-scoring most is hitting the ball very hard and throwing a pitch very hard. But there’s always a place for command, and pitchability at any level and Nico Low, an uncommitted 2024 prospect, was a good example of what the radar gun doesn’t tell us - deception in the arm path. 

Although the Maryknoll School (Hawaii) product sat in the low 80s with his heater, it played above its reading because hitters don't see much of the baseball until it’s coming out of his hand; the less time a hitter sees the ball in the arm path before the pitch, the more deception created. Low’s natural deception was paired with a quality, sweeping hook and he punched out six across 3.0 impressive frames. 

Another young right-handed pitcher with exciting upside

Although he’s a two-way prospect, a quick look at 2025 right-handed pitcher Bryson Toner (Kaiser High School; Hawaii) suggests he could become a major dude on the mound. He features a simple, repeatable delivery with a promising arm path that’s already firing heaters up to 87 MPH and snapping off intriguing sliders. At 6-2, 165 pounds, Toner has plenty of room to fill into his frame, too. 

Malosi Mataafa-Alferos showed he’s more than a guy who throws hard across the infield

After wowing the Hawaiian audience by firing a ball 92 MPH across the infield, Saint Louis School (Hawaii) 2025 shortstop Malosi Mataafa-Alferos proved he has more than just an impressive throwing tool. From the left side, he routinely created quality contact off the bat and was a productive hitter. 

Plus, he made plays at shortstop and showed exciting upside with a chance to stick on the dirt at a premium spot.

Pop time leader proved his talent translates to game action

After taking the lead atop the pop time leaderboard at FiveTool.org, 2024 catcher David Vergel de Dios proved his catch-and-throw skill shows when it matters most - in games. The Maui High School product has a quick, strong arm and is light on his feet, too. A physical player, Vergel de Dios recently tweeted videos of a 425-pound deadlift and a 365-pound backsquat. 

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor