Maui Ahuna Is Living Up to High Expectations
The Kansas Jayhawks baseball program is a little over halfway done with their season with a record of 16-20. Kansas has a 2-7 record in Big 12 play and still has Oklahoma, West Virginia, Kansas State, TCU, and Texas remaining on the schedule. Although the season hasn't gone as planned for the Jayhawks baseball program, there is one player that is undeniably having an incredible season. Sophomore shortstop Maui Ahuna is playing at an elite level, not only at the plate but also on the field. He has been a bright spot on this team and has been thoroughly impressive.
Ahuna's High School Career
Maui Ahuna is from Hilo, Hawaii, attending Hilo High School. During his time in high school, he led Hilo High School to the Big Island High School Championship and was awarded the Big Island High School Player of the Year award. In his final season at Hilo High School, Ahuna recorded a .531 batting average. Coming out of high school, he was ranked the No. 5 player in Hawaii by Perfect Game.
Promising Freshman Season
Ahuna hit the ground running in his first season as a Jayhawk. He played in 50 games, starting all 50 at shortstop. In those 50 games, he hit .316 (62-for-196), logging 11 doubles, three triples, one home run, eight stolen bases, and 25 RBIs. He was awarded numerous accolades, including recognition as Big 12 Newcomer of the Week after a 9-for-16 series against Creighton. During the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship, he was honored by being awarded All-Tournament Team at shortstop. Finally, he earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. After having a freshman year like Ahuna, he began to pop up on MLB Draft prospect boards.
Plenty of Expectations For His Sophomore Season
Ahuna received plenty of recognition heading into the year. D1baseball.com ranked him as the No. 32 shortstop in the nation and the No. 36 prospect in the 2023 draft class. He's listed as the No. 5 MLB Draft prospect for 2023 in the Big 12. Baseball America gives him the No. 4 MLB Draft prospect for 2023 in the Big 12, and Perfect Game has him at No. 9.
Ahuna has lived up to these high expectations so far, erupting in his sophomore season. Coming into the weekend series against Oklahoma, he has played in all 36 games, posting a .416/.497/.664 line and recording 57 hits, 11 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 38 RBIs, 20 walks, and 11 stolen bases in 137 at-bats.
With eight more series left in the regular season, Ahuna has plenty of time to raise the bar even further for himself going into next season.