Lake City’s Capaul will pitch against Indians

Lake City High graduate Alex Capaul will pitch tonight as part of the Yakima Bears’ piggyback starting rotation.

Capaul, a University of Hawaii product drafted in the 43rd round by the Arizona Diamondbacks in early June, was assigned to the Missoula Ospreys of the Pioneer League initially after signing. But he was moved to Yakima after one appearance. He’s had two appearances with Yakima, pitching five scoreless innings. He’s allowed three hits while striking out two.

He’s the second ex-LC player to be drafted.

Capaul said he was told he’d be drafted despite what he called an “inconsistent” senior season at Hawaii. He started two games, recording a 2-2 record and 5.57 ERA.

On the third day of the draft, Capaul awoke at 6 a.m. Hawaii time to follow the draft on the Internet. When his name wasn’t called after two hours, he decided to go back to bed.

About 15 minutes later his phone rang.

“I’d actually fallen asleep,” Capaul said. “When the draft reached the 40th round I figured it (being drafted) wasn’t going to happen.”

After speaking briefly with a Diamondbacks representative, Capaul was told he’d be contacted later in the day. When the return call came, Capaul was told an airline ticket to Phoenix awaited him for a flight that evening.

“I had to go move all of the stuff in my home to some friends’ homes,” Capaul said.

Capaul was two classes short of finishing a degree in psychology. He had planned on taking classes this summer to finish. Now he’ll gladly conclude his education at another time.

“I’m going to play until they tell me I’m done,” Capaul said.