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 continue with players in the 2025 class:

2025 PROSPECTS

Bransyn Hong – Kamehameha School (Maui)

Named the Most Valuable Hitter of the 2023 Hawaii Sandlot Classic, Hong is among the most unique hitters you’ll ever see and it’s not just because he’s a switch-hitter. He’s a switch-hitter who chooses to hit left-on-left and right-on-right. The reasoning? He likes hitting fastballs that are often moving towards him instead of away from him. My educated guess is really good sliders might change that approach, but it’s hard to argue with the results because he was outstanding with the bat. From both sides of the plate, Hong packs a short, quick, direct swing aimed to smack line drives around the field and it’s a repeatable, low-whiff approach that doesn’t feature much movement. Defensively, he could fit the future mold as a skilled, bat-first utility player who can collect hits from both sides. Hong ran a 7.24 60-yard dash during testing. – Dustin McComas

For the upperclass, switch hitter Bransyn Hong was the talk amongst the scouts in attendance for uncommitted prospects. Aside from his play and picking up the Most Valuable Hitter at the Sandlot, the 2025 out of Kamehameha Maui (HI) grabbed attention by hitting right-handed hurlers from the right side and southpaws from the left side at the dish. An interesting approach to switch hitting helps the shortstop seemingly see the ball in every at-bat and not registering a single strikeout in 10 plate appearances. Hong was also at the top of the leaders for runs batted in with five. There was also the 88 MPH infield velocity during the showcase portion showing off another tool to his trade. Hong topped 85 MPH of the mound with a curveball at 67-70 MPH, too. Plenty to like here from a player who seemingly is making strides when it comes to his game. – Jeff Kahn

Logan Akaka – Kamehameha Schools (Kapalama)

Akaka handled the bat from the right side really well. With a simple approach, the junior was able to routinely create quality contact and consistently covered the strike zone. 

Noah Bernal – Pearl City

A true two-way prospect, Bernal first turned heads with his work on the mound. He ran his fastball up to 87 MPH and there are some unique aspects associated with his operation; specifically, he releases the baseball from a much lower slot than hitters are anticipating given his arm action and frame. The right-hander has a loose, whippy arm with a near sidearm release that also has notable horizontal angle because of his length. Speaking of his length, he projects some physically and should continue to fill into his frame. On the dirt in the middle of the infield, he showcased smooth actions, which translated to game action. At the plate, the right-handed hitter uses a big legkick but is able to repeat it with a steady head throughout his swing. If he adds strength and mass, he could really take off as a prospect on both sides of the ball. 

Aukai Araujo-Waiau –Mililani - Hawaii commit

With a right-handed swing that’s unafraid to attack pitches with some controlled intent, Araujo-Waiau routinely creates loud contact from the right side of the plate, which also showed during the Home Run Derby. He has the type of swing that leverages some of his strength and also aims to drive the ball in the air. Defensively, he handled the left side of the infield well showing both calm actions and the type of reactions that could profile at third base. – Dustin McComas

Hawaii commit Aukai Araujo-Waiau was arguably the most consistent player on the week. The ’25 out of Mililani (HI) profiles as third baseman at the next level with big league actions. It seemed like each day Araujo-Waiau made plays on defense both at third base and short showing off a clean glove that we saw from the showcase day with an 88 MPH infield velocity ranking at the top of the list in that category. Aruajo-Waiau went 5-for-10 (.500) with two doubles and three runs batted in on the week. He also showed power at the home run derby with two home runs on the deep Field 4 at CORP. – Jeff Kahn

Ka’ili Kane – Saint Louis School

A big, strong, bat-first corner infielder, Kane had no issues making contact during The Sandlot. Although he has more of a line drive swing, he does have the type of raw power to drive the ball over the fence and offers an imposing presence in the middle of a lineup. 

Alaka’i Kiakona – Kamehameha Schools (Kapalama)

Up to 89 MPH from the left side, Kiakona attacked hitters with four-seamers up and short, sharp curveballs down. Listed at 6-1, 165 pounds, Kiakona has some natural deception in his arm path, which helped his stuff, especially his curveball, play up. Throw in legitimate feel for a changeup that can help him against righties and the hint of a slider in the arsenal, and you have a pitcher poised for a breakout and a true college prospect. He’s a two-way prospect who plays the outfield and hits from the right side, but pitching is going to be his calling at the next level.

Allin Yap – Maryknoll School

Named the Most Outstanding Pitcher of The Sandlot, Yap was his usual self on the mound, which was bad news for hitters. An impressive competitor with a repeatable delivery, Yap’s fastball sat in the 83-86 MPH range with a hint of arm side run and his 72-75 MPH changeup played well off his heater. He also mixed in a slider when he needed it and his feel for getting outs showed. A true-way prospect who can cover some ground in the infield and showed some pop in the batter’s box, Yap is undoubtedly one of the top 2025 players in Hawaii.

Kia’i Sylvester – Kamehameha Schools (Kapalama)

Sylvester, whose older brother plays at Oklahoma State, showed intriguing up-the-middle ability and a promising right-handed swing that played well. He's a good bet to continue improving and impact the baseball.

Jevon Raboy – H.P. Baldwin

Raboy showed some pop in batting practice and then it translated to games, too. He handled the bat confidently and well from the right side and swings a heavy barrel. 

Clemson Julian - Waiakea

Julian’s swing is well-polished from the left side. A high leg kick helps the 2025 get his timing down which helps him put balls in play. The first baseman out of Waiakea (HI) on the Big Island has the ability to spray balls to all parts of the park which was shown during BP and his multiple hits at the event. It’s a swing that is going to translate at every level and improving upon the 90 MPH exit velocity which in turn will turn the lefty into a better prospect will only help his cause for finding a home at the next level. I’d suspect a strong summer and fall will see Julian having plenty of options to choose from before the start of the 2024 Sandlot. – Jeff Kahn

Cade Watson – Punahou School

Impressive right-handed pitcher who touched 86 MPH and there is more in the tank. Watson was consistently on the attack and was unafraid to challenge hitters in the zone with his fastball.

Kainoa Kaneshiro – Kamehameha Schools (Kapalama)

There’s a lot to like about Kaneshiro – quick arm with some deception in the arm action; good build; tight, short curveball that missed bats; starter’s outlook if a third pitch emerges. He touched 90 MPH and you don’t have to go out on a limb to project more in the future. 

Dillon Andres - Kamehameha Schools (Kapalama)

The Home Run Derby champion showed some raw power during the competition and then showed in game action he is more than just a power hitter. 

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor and National Scout

Jeff Kahn
Vice President

Tracy Warren and Tim Arakawa also contributed to this report.