The Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft claimed a Hawai'i recruit just before last night's signing deadline.

Pitcher Nick Struck, out of Mount Hood JC in Oregon, told Hawai'i coach Mike Trapasso that he signed with the Chicago Cubs, who picked him in the 39th round.

"He's making a big mistake," Trapasso said. "He got some bad advice."

However, fourth-year junior left-handed pitcher Sam Spangler, UH's top relief specialist last season, will return, Trapasso said. Spangler, a draft-eligible sophomore in June, was picked in the 20th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Last night (6:01 p.m. Hawai'i time) was the deadline for drafted players to sign.

The Rainbows already lost third baseman Vinnie Catricala, who was picked in the 10th round by the Seattle Mariners. He signed for $90,000, according to Baseball America Online draft database. Catricala, who will skip his senior season at UH, hit .349 with 13 doubles, 13 home runs and 44 RBI and led the team with 51 runs last season.

Hawai'i also lost JC pitching recruit Kirk Wetmore, who was picked in the 11th round by Cleveland and signed with the Indians.

Moreover, pitcher Randy Yard, from Central Arizona JC, is likely out for the season after having shoulder surgery, Trapasso said. He still plans to enroll at UH this semester.

Kapolei graduate Kalani Brackenridge did not sign with the Tampa Bay Rays, who picked him in the 44th round as an infielder. Though he signed a letter of intent to play football at UH, he said last night he has decided to forego the sport to concentrate on baseball at the collegiate level, but hasn't determined where he will play at yet.