Ask Tim Wheeler how long he's dreamed of playing professional baseball, and his mind wanders back to his days as a 5-year-old savoring his first taste of the game.
Look for that dream to take a big step toward reality today.
Wheeler, 21, the standout Sacramento State outfielder and former El Camino High School star, is projected as a probable first-round pick in today's Major League Baseball draft.
Mock drafts project the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Wheeler going as high as sixth to the Giants, with the Indians (No. 15), Cardinals (19th), White Sox (23rd) and Cubs (31st) among the other speculations.
Wheeler, a left-handed hitter who throws right-handed, said he's not playing the what-if game, just patiently waiting for that dream to come true.
"It's always been what I wanted to do," he said. "I'm definitely happy with the opportunity.
"I'm very happy with where I'm at."
And how far he's come. Wheeler emerged as a top prospect this spring with a breakout junior season. He hit .385 with 18 home runs and 72 RBIs for the Hornets (27-27).
He worked on mechanical issues with his swing, focusing on getting his hands and hips to work together. He also showed his speed with 15 stolen bases and his defensive potential with a good instinct for the ball in center field.
"I put myself in position," said Wheeler, who hit .330 with three home runs and 43 RBIs as a sophomore. "I'm happy with what I've done.
"I wasn't even on the radar last year."
He is now. Sac State baseball coach John Smith has seen more scouts and cross checkers stop by this season than he can remember.
And Smith doesn't hesitate to look back through his 31 years with the Hornets and say no one deserves a shot at the majors more than the quiet, modest Wheeler.
"He had an incredible year," Smith said. "He deserves everything he's gotten. He's worked really, really hard to improve himself as a player.
"He's already an incredible individual. In my 31 years, I've had some really good players and some really good kids. He's at the top of the list."
Wheeler, a two-time all-Western Athletic Conference selection, said he's always looking for ways to get better.
"I'm never going to be where I want to be," he said. "There's always something I want to improve.
"That's the key to being successful: never being satisfied."
Smith has had two Hornets drafted in the fourth round – pitchers Erik Bennett (1989) and Chris Kinsey (2003) – but never anyone in the first. He expects that to change today.
"I think there's an excellent chance that will happen," he said. "Oh, man, it would be exciting."
And especially rewarding for Wheeler. The average first-round bonus last year was $2.3 million, according to Baseball America.
Wheeler can't wait to get going, no matter the team or the pay, even if it means less time to go fishing.
"I'm excited about starting to play baseball," he said. "Baseball's what I love to do."
Call The Bee's John Schumacher, (916) 326-5523.
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