Tanaka is first commitment

The Saddleback baseball team was back in the news this week with the first commitment of the season. Outfielder Makani Tanaka gave a verbal this week to mark the first commitment from the upcoming 2024 squad.

Tanaka decided to give a verbal commitment to Oral Roberts University, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Golden Eagles play an NCAA D1 schedule within the Summit League.  Oral Roberts finished 52-14 in 2023, making it to the College World Series.

Tanaka was part of the 2023 Saddleback team that finished as the state runner-up.  He played in 40 games for the Bobcats last season, batting .252 with one home run, 19 RBI and six stolen bases.  Defensively, Tanaka had a .987 fielding percentage in the outfield.

Tanaka lettered in baseball and basketball at Iolani High School (HI) before graduating in 2022.  While at IHS, Tanaka was an honor roll student.

Tanaka and the Bobcats open the 2024 campaign on January 26.