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Wikoff, Altobelli React to Being Drafted
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Illini third baseman Dominic Altobelli (top) and shortstop Brandon Wkoff were selected in the MLB Draft on Wednesday.
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June 10, 2009
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - On Wednesday, junior shortstop Brandon Wikoff and senior third baseman Dominic Altobelli were selected on the second day of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The two participated in a media teleconference after hearing their names called and below are their remarks.
Junior Shortstop Brandon Wikoff
On being drafted:
"It's pretty exciting. I didn't really know coming into the day what was going to happen. Scouts were telling me that the best case was fourth or fifth rounds or as low as 10-12. It's kind of a thing where you wait and see and then when you see your name pop up on the screen it's pretty exciting. Troy Hoerner, the Astros' scout who has been working with me, gave me a call a couple of days ago and was asking me about signability and whatnot, and he's a guy who talked to me in the clubhouse at Illinois, so I've had some contact with him before."
On his reaction to seeing that he was drafted:
"My dad had the computer and he kind of jumped in the air, and I was like `No way!' it was kind of surreal, then my heart got going. Then I got the call and I really knew it had happened."
On what position he may play with the Astros:
"For the most part, it's shortstop until I prove that I can't, but they know I can play all three infield positions. And that's what a lot of scouts talked to me about: having that versatility. But for the most part I've heard shortstop until I prove otherwise."
On his plans for the immediate future:
"I'm still up here (in Madison, Wis.) for tonight's game and then I'll go back home until I have to report (to the Astros' minor league team). There's no sense playing here and risking injury until I sign, so I'm just going to go home. Troy called me earlier today and just said congratulations and that kind of thing. He said within the next 24 hours or so. He was on his way to meet with their second-rounder and then he'd call me."
On the Houston Astros drafting four shortstops through the draft's first two days:
"I know a guy in their system and he said they're pretty low on shortstops. I'm not really too worried about it. I'm just looking forward to the competition and looking forward to playing."
On how likely it is that he will sign with the Astros:
"I would say that the chances of me signing are very good. My time at Illinois is probably done. I've had a great time there. I wouldn't trade my three years there for anything. But I think it's definitely time for me to take it to the next level."
On how big a fan of the Astros he is:
"I don't follow them much, mostly just whenever they play the Cardinals because I've been a die-hard Cardinals fan my whole life. I actually worked out for St. Louis at Busch Stadium and now I may have the opportunity to play against them with the Astros. To be able to play on their field would be kind of surreal."
On what he needs to work on in the minor leagues:
"I think it's just consistency with my whole game. Just kind of focus on everything a little bit - my defense, throwing the ball and consistency at the plate, because if you can hit, you can move up through the system."
On where he was when his name was called:
"I was actually in our clubhouse (in Madison, Wis.). My dad came up here to spend the day with me and he was in front of the computer. I was up here with my coach and my dad just hanging out."
On Illini signee and fifth-round draftee Seth Schwindenhammer:
"He texted me right after I got picked and said congratulations. Then I saw he got picked right after me, so that's a cool thing for our town and our school. we've never actually played together, but we actually went up to Cincinnati. They held a workout and we drove together. I know him and we're friends but we've never played together. I would just tell him to do what's best for himself. I'm in no position to tell him what to do. He's in a great position getting drafted in the fifth round out of high school, so he just has to do what's best for him."
Senior third baseman Dominic Altobelli
On his reaction to being drafted:
"I'm very excited, my family's very excited. Being a senior, I was a little unsure of where I was going to go. The scouts I talked to said to start looking around the mid-teens or the 20s. So when I saw it come up, I was pretty excited. They were one of the teams that was more interested in me. I met with a guy on campus and talked to him, and he gave me a call on Monday and we had a lengthy conversation about pro ball and what he saw me at in pro ball. He said they see me as a third baseman who can play all the other infield positions and maybe as a corner outfielder. He also thought I could put on some more weight and hit for a little more power. I'm OK with being a utility-type guy in pro ball. He called and said congratulations and said he'd be in touch with me later tonight and then maybe tomorrow come up and sign me."
On what he was doing when he was drafted:
"It was crazy. I told my dad that he could do all the worrying today while he was at work. This morning, I went and worked out this morning, then I hopped in the shower when I got home. When I got out, I heard my mom screaming at the top of her lungs and crying a little bit because she had seen it pop up on the computer. Then I talked to so many people today that it's crazy. Everybody's been calling and texting me."
On how much he follows the Rockies:
"I'm a diehard Cubs fan, but when Lars (Davis, former UI catcher) got drafted by them a few years ago I started following them a little bit and liked them. Colorado's a pretty cool state, so it should be pretty good."
On what he needs to work on in pro ball:
"Consistency in the game of baseball is huge, especially in the pro level. And for me, when I do get my opportunity to just produce and have fun with it."
