Elai Iwanaga is a fresh-arm UCLA righty with late-inning trust
In the 2026 season, Elai Iwanaga emerged as a freshman relief option for UCLA, appearing in 14 games and earning a win in a 2-0 outing against Michigan State, while also helping close out games with scoreless work against UC Irvine and San Diego State. The real draw is the profile: a 6-foot, 170-pound right-hander with a clean track record from Kamehameha, where he posted a 5-0 record, 1.57 ERA, and 47 strikeouts as a senior and was widely viewed as Hawaii’s top RHP. He looks like a competitive, high-confidence bullpen piece with upside, especially for a staff that values strikes and poise.
