The University of Hawai'i baseball team opens its seventh season under coach Mike Trapasso with great potential. But now awaits the proof.

The Rainbows jump-start the NCAA Division I season with a three-game series against UH-Hilo starting tomorrow at Les Murakami Stadium. An exemption allows them to start a week earlier than the rest of the nation, which starts Feb. 22.

"When you have so many new guys, you just don't know what you're going to get because we know what the talent level is and we know how they practice," Trapasso said. "But you don't know how the guys are going to perform until they actually have to do it. This will be our first test and our first glimpse at how some of these guys will perform under scoreboard pressure."

The Rainbows, whose season ended at 34-25 after they were eliminated midway through the Western Athletic Conference tournament last year, have a mixture of veterans at positions to newcomers with high upside on the mound.

"You look at pitching being 70 percent of the game and that's where we're the least experienced," Trapasso said. "That's going to be a tell-tale sign on how the year goes, how well those kids develop. We've got enough good arms and we've got enough talent in the pitching to have a good staff. They just have to get innings. "

PITCHERS

Junior right-hander Matt Daly (5-2, 3.38 in '07), used primarily in relief his first two seasons, will get the opening night nod. Trapasso said Daly wants to start and it's an opportunity he has earned, much the way Steven Wright did his junior year in 2006 after being used primarily out of the pen his first two years.

Wright parlayed an All-America and WAC Pitcher of the Year season into the 56th overall pick in the 2006 draft by the Cleveland Indians. The draft-eligible Daly is ranked 98th in Baseball America's Top 100 college prospects.

Of his seven starts last year, Daly went past five innings only twice. One was a one-hit, complete game against UH-Hilo, which he'll face tomorrow. He threw a no-hitter for Hyannis in the Cape Cod League over the summer.

"He has to keep his pitch count down and be effective as a starter because he's so reliable out of the bullpen," Trapasso said. "He's going to have to be equally reliable as a starter or he can help us more as a closer. We'll give him the opportunity (to start) and see what happens."

The rotation is hardly set, but not for a lack of candidates. For this three-game series, JC transfer Jared Alexander (throws strikes) and freshman Alex Capaul (throws in high 80 mph and developed a changeup) will round out the rotation. But next week's four-game series with San Francisco, as will the WAC season, will require a fourth starter. Left-hander Nick Rhodes, freshman right-hander Josh Slaats and JC transfer right-hander Alex Bates also are viable starting candidates. Bates is healing from tendinitis and might not be available for 2 to 4 weeks, Trapasso said.

Junior right-hander Jayson Kramer (3-4, 3.75) will be counted on heavily out of the bullpen, someone who could pitch 2 to 3 times in a series, Trapasso said. Returnees Josh Schneider, Cameron Wheeler and Cory Kahn also will be used in the pen, as will freshman Joey Parsons, who needs to work on command.

One surprise is the return of right-hander Harrison Kuroda, a junior hampered by a shoulder injury since he entered UH. Kuroda has thrown one inning, which was last year.

"He's not throwing 90 mph like he was in high school," Trapasso said of the former Mid-Pacific standout. "He's throwing mid-80s and competes."

An up-and-comer with high upside is redshirt freshman left-hander Sam Spangler, who pitched extremely well in the Alumni game last weekend.

"He may have our most electric arm next to Daly," Trapasso said. "He'll get up there in the low 90s and for a lefty that's pretty special. His whole thing is his consistency and command. He needs innings and experience. Initially, we'll start him out of the bullpen, but I think we'll see a lot of him because he has a chance to be special."

Kamehameha graduate John Worthington, a right-hander, made the team as a walkon, but a decision has yet to be made whether he will redshirt. Freshman right-hander Tim Moore will redshirt.

Meanwhile, freshmen Sean Soto and Mike Griffin are dealing with medical issues that make them doubtful for the early part of the season.

CATCHERS

One of the strengths of the team is Landon Hernandez, who started 55 of the 59 games last year and finished strong, hitting .296 with four home runs and 34 RBIs. He was a national team trials invitee over the summer.

"The way he's been swinging and the way he's been catching and throwing, we don't expect him back for his senior year," said Trapasso. "We think he'll be drafted and signed this year."

With doubleheaders loaded into the WAC schedule, Kevin Fujii should see more time. Kevin Macdonald, pegged for first base, and JC transfer Ryan Morford are the emergency catchers. While Trapasso recognizes not to overwork Hernandez because of the doubleheaders, Hernandez could be considered at DH on his days off behind the plate to keep his bat in the lineup.

INFIELDERS

The Rainbows were hit hardest in the infield, losing three starters because they are done with eligibility. But Jon Hee returns at second base with his always reliable glove and consistent bat (.345).

Freshman Greg Garcia and junior Nate Young will share time at short.

"He's going to be one of our best guys we've had play that position," Trapasso portends of Garcia. "He fields well; he can run. He's a left-handed hitter and capable of being a great hitter."

Sophomores Vinnie Catricala and Macdonald will play first and third, respectively. Both hit well as freshmen — Catricala batted .307 with 27 RBIs; Macdonald hit .314 with 19 RBIs. Catricala was an honorable mention freshman All-America pick last season.

Shane Hoey and Morford, both JC transfers, can play all infield positions and can swing the bat, giving the infield depth. Trapasso said he likes the toughness they bring to the field.

Potentially the biggest bat might be first baseman Alex Myers, a JC transfer with some pop. But he is still awaiting clearance pending an appeal with the NCAA, Trapasso said.

Freshman Connor Moore will redshirt.

OUTFIELDERS

The ground will be covered well with returnees Derek DuPree in left, Brandon Haislet in center and Evan Zimny in right. DuPree was slowed last season with a knee injury, but still managed to play 44 games and hit .277. When healthy, he's a .300 hitter.

Haislet brings speed and pop to the lineup. He batted .335 last year with four home runs and 39 RBIs. He led the team with 13 steals.

Zimny hit .234 last year, but drew 26 walks for a .364 on-base percentage.

Matt Roquemore had a strong fall, but has been slowed lately with a hamstring pull. Trapasso also likes the way redshirt freshman Jeffrey Van Doornum has been swinging the bat. He also is high on freshman Sean Montplaisir.

"It's a key for us to try to get him some at-bats, some experience," Trapasso said of Montplaisir.

Ryan Asato, who broke a bone in his hand in the fall, is not ready for action yet, Trapasso said.

OVERALL

After last season, Trapasso felt there were four areas that needed to be addressed. Three of those were solved by focusing on strength and conditioning and recruiting more physical-type players.

"The fourth was just our overall toughness that I thought we struggled with last year," Trapasso said. "That's the one area I don't know how we'll address until we start playing. There'll be much evaluating these first few weeks more than anything else."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.