While recruiting for 2007, Hawai'i baseball coach Mike Trapasso looked for numbers other than batting averages, home runs and earned run averages. He also looked at grade point averages and test scores.

"One thing we wanted to do was focus on academics," Trapasso said. "They're not just recruits, but top-flight students."

One reason to sign the academically inclined is that if they are draft picks with five-figure bonus offers, they would more likely lean toward attending school, Trapasso said.

Hawai'i announced its early signings yesterday, picking up three high school and six junior college players.

The prep players, all from California, are: outfielder/ right-handed pitcher Matt Jaimes of Chino High; third baseman/catcher Kevin MacDonald of Palm Desert; and infielder/outfielder Jeff Van Doornum of Huntington Beach.

Jaimes was invited to the Perfect Game Nationals and the USA Baseball Junior National team.

MacDonald, a 4.0 student according to the UH press release, earned all-league honors.

Van Doornum, who is 6 feet 2 and 170 pounds, also earned all-league honors.

Four of the six JC signees are pitchers. The two position players are outfielders Brandon Haislet (12 steals and four triples) and Evan Zimny (.415, eight home runs, 43 RBIs). Both play at Consumnes River College in California.

The pitchers are: RH Alex Bates (68 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings) of Consumnes; RH Cory Kahn (23 Ks in 25 1/3 IP) of Sierra College (Calif.) ; LH Nick Rhodes (53 Ks in 57 1/3 IP) of Cypress College (Calif.); and RH Joshua Schneider (67 Ks in 82 2/3 IP) of Cochise College (Colo.).

"It's JC-heavy on the arms (pitchers)," Trapasso said. "That's what we wanted to do, have some experienced arms. Our intent was to go solely high school on the position players and more JC with the pitchers with this class here in the fall. But when the two position players from Consumnes River showed interest, they were two no-brainers. They're possible good drafts."

The signing of players with strong academics was not a reaction to the program's Academic Progress Rate, which was below the NCAA minimum of 925 (819). The APR is based on a program's graduation rate. Trapasso said the NCAA is expected to adjust the APR for baseball because of the nature of the sport that allows underclassmen to sign professionally.

Trapasso said he hopes to find some local talent during the spring signing period.

Meanwhile, UH will bring back the alumni game Jan. 28. Trapasso said a ruling to drop such games by the NCAA was tabled. Trapasso hopes that former Rainbows in pro ball will attend. There was no alumni game last year.

Hawai'i opens the season Feb. 1 against San Diego State. Former Aztec and San Diego Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn is the coach. He also played for the Hawai'i Islanders, the former Triple-A affiliate of the Padres.

The annual Grand Slam fundraiser for baseball is set for Jan. 16. Dodgers executive and former manager Tom Lasorda will be the guest speaker, Trapasso said.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.