The perfect way to wrap up the 2023 baseball season is to spend it in Hawaii watching great baseball at the Hawaii Sandlot Classic. Or so I’ve heard. Yeah, I’m a little jealous. Anyway, members of the Five Tool team were in Hawaii for good vibes, good baseball, good food and another very successful Sandlot Classic. With the help of those staff members, I’ve put together reports for over 40 participants who caught the attention of myself during video coverage and our staff who was in attendance. It’s fair to say the talent this event hosts continues to grow each year. Let’s begin with players from the 2024 class:

2024 PROSPECTS

Blade Paragas – Kamehameha Schools Kapalama – BYU signee

Listed at 5-11, 200 pounds, the physical righty bumped 95 MPH during his first relief appearance of the event and didn’t have issues working his stuff into the strike zone. From a low three-quarters slot, Paragas’ heater sometimes featured natural arm side run, but he also was able to work it to his glove side without much tilt. His curveball often took the appearance of a tight-spinning overhand hook that didn’t feature a ton of depth but often surprised hitters because of its bite; there were times when it was a bit more of a two-plane offering still fully capable of buckling weak knees and getting whiffs. In his second appearance, Paragas showed a firm changeup with a noticeably lower arm slot used to turn over the pitch and create some life. This is the type of arm that could pitch out of BYU’s bullpen on day one.

Nico Low – Maryknoll – Hawaii at Hilo signee

Described by SoCal Director and Hawaii expert Tim Arakawa as a “firecracker,” Low came up clutch in the championship game and has a knack for creating impactful, infectious energy on the diamond. It’s a fitting word to describe Low, a left-handed hitting outfielder, because in addition to his spark provided, he packs a loud, explosive punch from a small, compact frame. Low uses his shorter arms to his advantage in the batter’s box and controls a quick barrel well and can create some surprising extra-base pop to the gaps. He possessed some of the quickest hands in the event and is a good bet to time premium velocity at the next level. 

Christian Dominno – H.P. Baldwin – Hawaii at Hilo signee

A skilled right-handed hitter who plays a tick faster than his 7.29 60-yard dash time, Dominno was a hitting machine and among the toughest players for pitchers to get out. He tracked and timed pitches consistently well with bat paths aimed to add a little lift and carry to batted balls despite his smaller frame. He could legitimately play all over the diamond and even had a 1.97-second pop time during testing with a quick transfer. – Dustin McComas

2024 OF/C Christian Dominno is a baller. The RHH out of H.P. Baldwin (HI) was 5-for-7 on the week with three doubles, one triple, and three runs batted in. His measurable are going to continue to improve over the next years in college as the 7.36 60 plays ways faster around the bases. His athleticism shined on the week with an ability to play multiple positions and be a top-of-the lineup type bat at the next level. He may start off around the 7 or 8 spot his freshman year, but that’s going to be one productive bat to potentially try and turn things over to the top in his first season at UH-Hilo. – Jeff Kahn

Douglas Mortensen – H.P. Baldwin

Listed at 6-0, 210 pounds, Mortensen didn’t lumber around the yard like some players his size would and ran an impressive 7.04 60-yard dash with a smooth gait. That sneaky athleticism and strength translated to the batter’s box where he was one of the most impressive players in the home run derby and created some loud exit velocity during game action. A future corner outfielder, Mortensen is a candidate to continue tapping into his raw power and showed an ability to handle the barrel in games. – Dustin McComas

2024 Douglas Mortensen out of H.P. Baldwin (HI) was tied for first with the highest exit velocity of 98 MPH during the showcase portion of the Sandlot. The outfielder posted a 7.04 60 time and 83 MPH outfield velocity which if can be improved, things will only continue to get better at the next level. Currently uncommitted, Mortensen had a a great week with multiple extra base hits (.500 average) and four runs batted in. Aside from the showcase portion and the couple of doubles during games, the 6-0, 210-pound prospect displayed his power at the home run derby with two home runs at the deep CORP Field 4 field. Anyone who gets Mortensen will be happy with a corner outfielder who can eventually flourish into a three-to-five hole at the next level. – Jeff Kahn

Trey Shimabukuro - Maui - Pierce College commit

Outfielder Trey Shimabukuro has multiple tools to like. The uncommitted prospect (edit: almost immediately after the event, he committed to Pierce College!) posted the second best 60 time at 6.67s during the showcase portion. On the last day, Shimabukuro burned the left fielder and made it from home to third in 11.45 seconds on a triple. At 5-9, 160 pounds, the outfielder has some explosiveness to his game. And being high academic student, there should be a few more options for this prospect when it comes to playing at the next level. – Jeff Kahn

Cameron Kobayashi – Kalani 

The senior showed major improvement year-over-year between the 2022 and 2023 Sandlot. The uncommitted 2024 prospect showed the ability to drive the ball to the power alley in right-center field and ended up hitting .500 at the event with one double and one run batted in. Kobayashi also picked up a nice hit on an offspeed pitch showing his pitch recognition ability while still attacking the baseball at the dish. Strength is something that Kobayashi will benefit from as he works on his game this upcoming season, and once that’s added, things should take off from there for the ’24. – Jeff Kahn

Hunter Nishina – Punahou School

This dude rakes. At 5-11 and around 170 pounds, Nishina can flat out hit with some of the best natural hitting feel from the left side and one of the best swings, too. He can consistently time pitches and get an efficient barrel to the baseball in different parts of the zone with gap-to-gap power. He performed all summer and he performed at The Sandlot. From the outfield during testing, he threw 85 MPH and he also ran a 7.27 60-yard dash. His bat is his calling card and it’s one of the best in Hawaii. 

Kolby Gushiken – Saint Louis School

An undersized, skilled ballplayer who can consistently make contact and plays hard, Gushiken showed he can do a little bit of everything on the diamond. He had standout plays defensively, with the bat and was routinely a threat to take an extra base. Plus, he ran a 6.86 60-yard dash during testing and the energy he created on the diamond was notable.

Ismael Diaz – James Campbell

Diaz provided one of the most interesting looks on the mound and while his velocity was a tick down (touched 86 MPH) from what he’s shown in the past, there was still a lot to like. In addition to his fastball, Diaz snapped off a couple of short, tight curveballs that created uncomfortable takes. At times, Diaz doesn’t quite repeat his delivery but there’s a lot of room for growth with added strength and more reps. He also threw 91 MPH from the outfield.

Nariyuki Dumlao – Maui - Pierce College signee

Dumlao was among the top right-handed hitters in the event and the 2024 prospect committed to Pierce College immediately after his impressive performance at The Sandlot. An infielder who would likely profile best at second base or third base at the next level with some outfield skill as well, Dumlao transferred energy well in the batter’s box and created some loud pop off the bat consistently.

Brennen Panis – Aiea

Panis is simply a winning player. He’s a tough out who hits with a calm heartbeat and has a swing geared to minimize whiff rate and his skill shows up in various areas. 

Kameron Lee - Waimea

Lee is a thin 5-10 with long arms and could be a candidate to fill out noticeably in the future. He did a good job of creating rhythm on the mound, which allowed him to fill up the zone with his fastball up to 89 MPH and big breaking ball. His breaking stuff is a work in progress with the slower curveball being more of a strike-stealing pitch than one that creates whiffs because of its lack of spin and he might benefit in the future from throwing a harder slider. Regardless, there’s a lot to work with, especially for a promising 2024 arm with a deep arsenal. 

Jayden Montero – Kamehameha Schools (Kapalama)

Among the all-around top performers in the 2024 class was Montero, who ran a 6.87 60-yard dash, smacked line drives all over the park, showed a good glove up the middle, and also filled up the strike zone as a pitcher. His arm likely profiles best long-term at second base. Regardless, there’s a lot to like about the way he timed pitches, controlled the bat and played with confident, calm instincts on both sides of the ball.  

Makoa Chong - Kapaa

Chong had a strong week of performance all around and his quick swing was able to time impressive velocity and also go down and get pitches in the lower part of the zone. As a catcher, he has quick transfer and some added arm strength could be a game-changer. He has a sturdy built with some lower half strength and quality movements behind the dish. – Dustin McComas

Uncommitted 2024 Makoa Chong put the hit tool on display against top competition. It was a great week for the catcher out of Kapaa (HI) who started things of by smoking the very first pitch of the event back up the middle for a leadoff single. A 95 MPH exit velocity during the showcase day was seen in each of the games as the ’24 hit .500 on the week. Chong had a hot shot through the left side of the infield off an 89 MPH fastball showing his ability to hit against top competition. Some more improvements should be made over the course of the spring season, but it won’t be a surprise if Chong leads all ILH catchers in hitting come his senior campaign. – Jeff Kahn

Kade Fujioka – H.P. Baldwin

Listed at 5-10, 210 pounds, Fujioka toed the rubber with a sturdy build and was able to repeat his delivery with good bend. That allowed him to fire strikes with a deep arsenal that featured a fastball up to 89 MPH. Given his arm speed, he should continue to see his velocity trend positively and although there was a hint of effort through the finish of his delivery, there are some ingredients to eat innings as a starter.

Kalei Alana - Mililani - Feather River College signee

Feather River College landed an underrated gem. Alana is an undersized, skinny catcher but has a big game. After he threw 89 MPH from the outfield during testing, he showed it plays behind the dish when he was able to cut down a runner stealing on a tough pitch out of the zone that forced him to naturally use a different arm slot. Alana also handled the bat well and routinely impacted the game with his defense behind the dish. 

Jacob Remily - Maryknoll - San Jose State signee

At 6-6, Remily creates a tough look, especially for right-handers, on the mound with a lower slot that releases the baseball much lower than hitters anticipate and also occasionally adds some surprising, late life to both his fastball and changeup. In 2.0 innings during one outing, Remily punched out three and showed a delivery to bet on at the next level and also gains he can make with more reps to improve command. In the batter’s box, he showed his talent from the right side when he drilled a triple to the fence in right-center field. – Dustin McComas

It’s going to be fun to see what Jacob Remily turns into over the course of the next three-to-four years. A 6-6, 190-pound IF/RHP out of Maryknoll (HI), the 2024 made big leaps in 2023. This includes topping 92 MPH off the bump in the fall. While Remily was only up to 89 MPH, he had an impressive first outing striking out three with no hits over two innings. Remily has three other pitches in his arsenal with a slider at 76 MPH, change up at 75-76 MPH, and a curveball at 69-73 MPH. On the other side, Remily profiles as a third baseman with upside at the shortstop position. Speed is something one of the top 2024’s doesn’t boast as a straight-line runner, yet a 3.61s first to second time on his triple shows his in-game speed and ability to gain ground as a runner on extra base hits. It should be a fun senior campaign for the San Jose State signee with lots to like as a top two-way prospect on the islands. – Jeff Kahn

Jace Souza – Kamehameha Schools (Kapalama) – Texas Tech signee

Souza wowed onlookers with his tools during testing. From the outfield, he fired a ball 95 MPH and impressed with a loud batting practice round. Among the most famous 2024 names in the state, Souza didn’t have as loud of in-game performance, but his tools were obviously impressive. 

Noah Kubo – Mid-Pacific Institute – Iowa Western College signee

Kubo was one of the better pure right-handed hitters we saw during summer action. So, it wasn’t a surprise to see him cover the strike zone and smack some extra base hits. A skilled player who can catch and also play infield, Kubo produced a 1.97-second pop time during testing, threw out a runner stealing and also flashed the leather in the infield. 

Ka’imi Kahalekai – Kamehameha Schools (Maui) – Texas signee

Up to 93 MPH in a dominant 2.0-inning stint, Kahalekai showed an improved delivery since we saw him at Area Code. He’s growing into his frame, moving a little quicker and more efficiently down the mound and his fastball came out with a tick more explosive life. Unfortunately for hitters, I thought the tall righty’s breaking ball was a little bit better, too. I have to imagine pro scouts who have Hawaii in their coverage are intrigued and will be seeing him again during the high school season because there’s obvious room for developmental growth and he’s showing that rapid improvements are happening. 

Tanner Chun – Saint Louis School – Tulane signee

A good case can be made Chun showed the most impressive all-around tools in The Sandlot. He ran a 6.64 60-yard dash, threw 91 MPH from the outfield, competed in the Home Run Derby, touched 91 MPH off the mound during game action, performed well with the bat and glided around the outfield to track down fly balls in center field. During his pitching outing, there were times his slider really flashed as a bat-missing pitch with true, short, sharp, late break and he executed it down and to his glove side late in counts. I’m not sure where Tulane likes him most but he looks like he could legitimately compete as an outfielder or pitcher at the next level. 

Shaveh Sarono – James Campbell

An undersized, skinny lefty, Sarono had one of the most intriguing arms in the event. He threw 90 MPH from the outfield and also touched 87 MPH on the mound during his pitching outing. I think added strength could do wonders for Sarono and better help him repeat his delivery to more consistently throw strikes. Given that he’s left handed and has changeup feel, someone should take a chance on him.

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor and National Scout

Jeff Kahn
Vice President

Tracy Warren and Tim Arakawa also contributed to this report.