Players with Hawaii-ties selected by MLB teams in 2026 draft, free agency
Ben Zeigler-Namoa takes a photo following the University of Hawai’i senior night in May 2026. | Photo: Riley Guillermo
Five players with Hawaiʻi connections heard their names called during the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, while two former University of Hawaiʻi standouts agreed to free-agent contracts shortly after the draft concluded.
Leading the group was Ewa Beach native Nu’u Contrades, who was selected by the San Diego Padres in the sixth round with the 186th overall pick. The Saint Louis School alumnus was drafted out of Arizona State after earning All-Big 12 First Team honors.
The Atlanta Braves selected Lahaina native Ben Zeigler-Namoa in the 10th round with the 292nd overall pick. A Baldwin High School graduate, Zeigler-Namoa played collegiately at the University of Hawaiʻi before beginning his professional career.
Later in the 10th round, the Chicago Cubs chose Kihei native Luke Alwood with the 307th overall pick. The Maui High School graduate was drafted out of Seattle University.
Wailuku native Kuhio Aloy went to the New York Mets in the 11th round with the 330th overall selection. The Baldwin High School product starred at Arkansas before becoming the third Maui native selected in this year’s draft.
Former University of Hawaiʻi outfielder Jack Salmon rounded out the state’s draft selections when the Los Angeles Angels picked him in the 19th round with the 554th overall selection. Salmon spent the 2025 season with the Rainbow Warriors before continuing his career at UNLV.
Several additional Hawaiʻi players also landed professional opportunities as undrafted free agents.
Isaiah Magdaleno prepares to throw a pitch to plate in the 2026 season opener against Gonzaga. | Photo: Michael Lasquero
Fellow Hawaiʻi pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno agreed to a free-agent deal with the Toronto Blue Jays following one of the most decorated pitching seasons in program history. Magdaleno spent three seasons with the Rainbow Warriors and finished the 2026 campaign with 116 strikeouts, including a career-high 16 in a one-hit complete-game shutout against UC Riverside. He also threw two complete-game victories and became the first Hawaiʻi player since Kolten Wong in 2011—and just the sixth player in program history—to earn multiple All-America honors.
Right-handed pitcher John Alkire II signed with the Chicago Cubs after spending the 2026 season at Hawaiʻi. Alkire recorded 32 strikeouts during his lone season with the Rainbow Warriors.
The draft selections and free-agent signings continue a strong stretch for baseball talent with Hawaiʻi roots, with players from Oʻahu, Maui and the University of Hawaiʻi earning opportunities to begin their professional careers.
Kilminster’s 29 helps Hawaii Pacific push past Alaska Fairbanks
HONOLULU – Welcome back, Killa Kilminster. The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team moved back above .500 on Friday night, using a 29-point explosion from fifth-year guard Evan Kilminster to cruise by Alaska Fairbanks on the first night...
Hawaii Pacific posts triple digits for the first time in six years in win over Alaska Fairbanks
HONOLULU – Scoring explosion Sharks. For the first time since the 2019-2020 season, the Hawaii Pacific University women’s basketball team eclipsed 100 points in a single game on Friday evening as the Sharks opened up the Alaska/Hawaii Challenge...
Mitchell gets first career win as Hawai’i hangs on against Saint Mary’s in triple overtime
HONOLULU – There’s an old saying that says you always remember your first. That adage will most certainly hold true for Hawai’i’s Khalilah Mitchell, who picked up her first win as the head coach of the Rainbow Wahine basketball program on...
