Hawaii pros go to Northwest League

The Northwest League will have a Hawaii flavor this summer.

Third baseman Justin Frash, a 27th-round pick, was assigned to the Vancouver Canadians by the Oakland Athletics, and UH Rainbow teammate, left-hander Ian Harrington, finds out today if the Arizona Diamondbacks are sending him to the Yakima (Wash.) Bears.

Harrington, selected in the 23rd round, said he has been working out with Yakima all week and would like that assignment since he would be closer to his family in Renton, Wash.

There is a chance he could be assigned to the Missoula (Mont.) Osprey in the Pioneer League.

Kris Sanchez, the former UH first baseman who signed a free-agent contact with the Seattle Mariners, starts the season with the Everett (Wash.) AquaSox in the Northwest League.

Lars Knepper, the right-hander from Hawaii-Hilo selected in the 29th round by San Francisco, signed with the Giants yesterday.

"I'm in Arizona and looking forward to tomorrow when I take my physical and work out in rookie camp," said Knepper, who will be assigned either to the Arizona League or to the Salem-Keizer (Ore.) Volcanoes in the Northwest League.

San Diego selections -- UH right-hander Tyler Davis in the 21st round and 22nd-round pick Keoni Ruth, a Kamehameha graduate -- start their pro careers with the Padres' rookie team in the Arizona League.