Hawaii's Kolten Wong on the major league track

Lia Kananipuamaeole Kamana

Hawaii News Now article (Internship)

Beginning in his little league days, Hilo born and raised Kolten Wong has been taking the steps required to accomplish his goal of playing Major league baseball.

A standout from Kamehameha School's Kea'au campus, Wong was named co-winner of Hawaii's Baseball Player of the year award and received a full ride baseball scholarship to the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2008. Upon graduating that same year, Wong was drafted in the 16th round by the Minnesota Twins, but decided to hone his skills by attending UH.

Wong played at UH for three seasons and then in 2011 the St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the first round, 22nd overall, in the draft.

Currently Wong is playing for the Redbirds who are based out of Memphis, Tennessee and although it is only his second full season of professional baseball, Wong finds himself one step away from the big leagues.

He leads the Cardinal's Triple-A team with 54 runs, 97 hits, seven triples and 13 stolen bases, but that doesn't come as a shock to him.

"I don't think I'm surprised," said Wong. "I'm confident in myself as a player. I know that I can play at every level and do well."

Wong's success doesn't come as a surprise to those around him either. Greg Garcia, Wong's former college teammate and current RedBirds teammate speaks high of Wong as a player.

"Last year I think he had a couple ten game hitting streaks," said Garcia. "you know this is what he does. He's a very very good hitter. He's really fun to watch right now."

Wong's teammates aren't the only ones who find him to be a fun player to watch, his former UH coach Mike Trapasso agrees and makes it a point to watch all his games.

"He's doing so well and you know it’s just a matter of time, a short period of time before he is playing in St. Louis and that's really going to be fun to watch," said Trapasso.

Despite Wong's success at the Triple-A level, there is one thing that is preventing the Cardinals from bringing him up and that is second baseman Matt Carpenter. Carpenter's achievements aren't bringing Wong down or discouraging him from reaching his goal though.

"When it's my time it will be my time," said Wong. "When the Cardinals feel that they need me up there then I'll be ready but until then I am here with the Red Birds."