Former Vul Drafted in Japan Baseball League

Former University of Hawai’i at Hilo baseball player Kyle Watase will continue his baseball career in Japan.

Watase was taken in the eighth round of the Route Inn BC League of Japan draft by the Musashi Heat Bears earlier this month. The Saint Louis High School graduate played just one season at UH-Hilo, batting .309 with a home run and 12 runs batted in. Previous to playing the 2014 season on the Big Island, Watase spent two years at Hartnell College and another season at East Central University.

According to his high school alma mater, Watase attended an open tryout with the Atlanta Braves earlier this year. He also went to a Japanese baseball tryout on Oahu, where several teams showed interest in the former Vulcan outfielder and first baseman.

“Kyle has more growth ahead of him,” said UH-Hilo baseball coach Kallen Miyataki, who coached Watase during his final season. “Given an opportunity and with the right timing, success is within his reach.”