Current Pro Baseball Players From Hawaii (MLB 2023)
Baseball Players, and athletes of all sports really, take pride in where they’re from. Whether it’s the state, city or area code – you always notice players wanting to rep their home area.
Fans tend to do the same thing. It’s always more fun to pull for a player when they’re from your home state (or even your hometown), especially when that player also happens to be playing on your favorite team.
With all that in mind, we went through MLB.com and pulled the home states (or countries) of every player on the 40-man rosters for each team.
We found 4 players from the state of Hawaii which obviously isn’t a ton, but it’s still more than 16 other states. Hawaii tied with New Mexico for 33rd overall. Two of the four players represent Honolulu and the other two are from Lihue and Hilo.
MLB Players from Hawaii
Here are all 4 guys from Hawaii on MLB Rosters at the start of the 2023 season including what town they’re from and what team they play for.
| Name | City | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Isiah Kiner-Falefa | Honolulu | Yankees |
| Kirby Yates | Lihue | Braves |
| Kolten Wong | Hilo | Mariners |
| Tayler Saucedo | Honolulu | Mariners |
Player Bios
Here is a little more info on a few of the standout players from the state of Hawaii:
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, has made a name for himself as a versatile player in Major League Baseball. Kiner-Falefa’s baseball journey began at Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu, showcasing his early talent.
Drafted in the 4th round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers, he has distinguished himself through his ability to play multiple positions, including infield and catcher.
In MLB, Kiner-Falefa is known for his defensive skills, particularly at shortstop and third base, and has also contributed consistently at the plate. His adaptability and solid hitting make him a valuable asset to teams, including the Rangers and New York Yankees.
Kirby Yates
Hometown: Lihue, Hawaii
Kirby Yates, hailing from Lihue, Hawaii, has established himself as a prominent relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. Yates attended Kauai High School in Hawaii, before embarking on his professional baseball journey.
Going undrafted and starting in independent leagues, Yates worked his way into MLB, showing remarkable perseverance. He gained significant recognition with the San Diego Padres, where his outstanding performances as a closer led to an All-Star selection in 2019.
Known for his high strikeout rates and effective splitter, Yates has been one of the top relievers in baseball when healthy, showcasing his ability to close games and handle high-pressure situations.
Kolten Wong
Hometown: Hilo, Hawaii
Kolten Wong, originally from Hilo, Hawaii, has become a highly regarded second baseman in Major League Baseball. Wong’s path to the majors began at Kamehameha-Hawaii Campus in Kea’au, followed by a standout collegiate career at the University of Hawaii.
Drafted in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, Wong has been recognized for his defensive prowess, winning multiple Gold Glove awards at second base. Offensively, he contributes with a solid batting average, on-base percentage, and speed on the bases.
Wong’s combination of defensive skills and offensive capabilities make him an integral part of any team, including the Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers.
BASEBALL STATE fun facts
The state of California, far and away, has the most current baseball players of any state with 189.
Second most was Florida with 89, followed by Texas (78), New York (42) and Georgia (40).
The Dominican Republic has 120 players currently in major league baseball which is incredibly impressive considering the country has a total population of only 11 million people. By comparison, the state of California has a population of 39 million and the state of Florida has a population of almost 22 million.
Other States
Check out the players from other states as well. We currently have a few states posted, but check back soon because we’ll have many more up in the next couple of weeks.
