SECAUCUS, N.J. - University of Hawai'i second baseman Kolten Wong was taken in the first round of the 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The St. Louis Cardinals selected Wong with the 22nd overall pick.
Wong becomes the first Rainbow position player selected in the first round of the First-Year Draft, and third first-rounder in UH baseball history.
The Hilo, Hawai'i native was named a 2011 Louisville Slugger Third-Team All-American, and was selected first-team all-WAC for the third time. Earlier this season he was named to Baseball America's 2011 Midseason All-America Team, and last summer was selected MVP of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
In just three seasons, he has belted 25 homeruns putting him second all-time for the Rainbows in that category. Wong also ranks in the top 10 in single-season hits, having recorded 89 hits in 2010. In his freshman season, he was named a freshman all-American by Collegiate Baseball, Baseball America, Rivals.com, the NCBWA, and Ping! He also earned second-team all-region honors and was selected WAC Freshman of the Year.
Wong was also previously drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 16th round in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft but opted to play at the University of Hawai'i.