Aloha Ka Punahou 2004.06
Hawaii rarely announces amateur draft picks. And it might not this year either, except it scores
a couple easy participation points. Meanwhile, staff writers will soon release their season
preview of Phoenix.
'Dinky' Lipp
The Tropics chose as their number 1 pick the 6'2", 230-lb catcher Ron 'Dinky' Lipp, who comes
with potentially prodigious batting abilities (he hit a home run every 9.3 at bats in two years at
college), extreme leadership skills, and a durable rating.
It is natural for Hawaii to see Lipp, 22, as a protege of Hurley Reyes, who turns 35 in June.
Scout Slip Lilo boasted that Lipp was a natural power hitter whose skills in contact, gap, and
avoiding-K's could surpass those of Hurley-Burley.
But potential means you aint done it yet.
Should Lipp develop as projected, the relevance of 2002 #2 pick C Joe Tillman could be
questioned. But Tillman or other back stops in the Tropics organization can contribute where
Lipp is weakest: arm rating.
In selecting Lipp, Hawaii by-passed a myriad of top quality pitching prospects.
"You can never have too much pitching, unless you're Chicago," said Alan Hoot. "But I tell y'all
what: you can't win without hitting either."
"Strong up the middle," added Slip Lilo.
The first step in Lipp's career at Hawaii is to get him to sign.
