Aloha Ka Punahou 2005.06
Shortstop whiz ready to play in 2005
Bancroft picked over highly-acclaimed Bob Goodwin
Honolulu
January 15
Hawai'i Tropics chose SS Barney 'No nickname' Bancroft first overall in the December
2004 Rule 5 Draft. Bancroft shows superior skills at shortstop and sports a gun of an arm.
Barney won two Glove Wiz Awards and appeared in two All-Star games in the minor
leagues.
Des Moines drafted Bancroft out of high school in 1999, and the Florida native had been in
the Kernels farm system since then.
This winter Hawaii granted Bancroft time to work with a personal trainer to improve his
work ethic. It is already paying benefits. The Personal Training department is led by Hawaii-
born Lenn Sakata, who was the last shortstop to play for the MLB Orioles before Ripken
started his consecutive game streak.
Bancroft was a surprise pick by some in the league, especially since Hawaii purposely left
Of Bob Goodwin off its Rule 5 list:
"Goodwin's got some talent--no doubt," said Mike Lum, Director of Player Development,
"But we had a good look and decided he had some downside that other clubs didn't mind
or didn't notice."
Hawaiian "Wave Watchers" have pointed out that plus plus fielders at short who have above
average hitting potential are not easy to come by. The 23-year-old can also play all three
other infield positions.
Bancroft's hitting abilities may result in his starting against left handed pitchers this season.
But we are at least a Spring Training away from a determination.
