By KEVIN JAKAHI
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Keone Kela isn’t a homegrown Big Island product, but he’s another with local ties to represent the 50th state in Major League Baseball.
The Texas Rangers rookie right-hander, with roots that extend deep in Keaukaha, made the big league roster out of spring training.
He is the grandson of George Kela, a standout running back for Hilo High back in the 1960s. His grandmother Colleen Kela still lives in Keaukaha. George Kela passed away in July, 2013. He was 66.
Kela was born in Los Angeles, and drafted by the Rangers in the 12th round out of Everett (Wash.) Community College in 2012.
The Rangers’ 25-man Opening Day roster was released on Sunday, and Kela’s name was officially confirmed.
Texas opens its season on the road against the Oakland A’s on Monday with a four-game series.
His family, including his dad John Kela and grandma, will wait for the three-game home series against the Houston Astros that starts Friday.
Kela, 21, put up stellar spring numbers. He allowed three runs on six hits in 9 2/3 innings, but all three runs came on Friday. He whiffed 11 and walked just two.
Last year, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Kela was at Double-A Frisco, where he went 2-1 with a 2.02 ERA in 49 innings. He allowed 31 hits and 31 walks, and whiffed 68.
On mlb.com’s Texas Rangers’ top prospects list, Kela was ranked as his organization’s 16th best, behind five other pitchers.
However, mlb.com offered a glowing scouting report: “Few pitchers throw harder more consistently than Kela, who now works at 94-98 mph and climbs into the triple digits. He throws straight downhill from a high-three-quarters slot and features riding life on his fastball, which is nearly impossible to lift and the main reason he gave up just two homers in 99 1/3 innings over his first three years in pro ball.
“Kela dominated in Double-A last season and could make an impact on the Texas bullpen in 2015. His delivery helps him stay on top of his 80-84 mph curveball, which is becoming a solid second pitch, and he also has an effective changeup. He could wind up as a closer if he can throw strikes on a more consistent basis.”
Kela, who is as local as it gets, joins Kolten Wong (Hilo), St. Louis Cardinals, Shane Victorino (Maui), Boston Red Sox, Kurt Suzuki (Maui), Minnesota Twins, and Jerome Williams (Oahu), Philadelphia Phillies, in the MLB ranks.
