Before June 6, 2008, Troy White’s baseball career was a lot more normal.

The senior at Chicago’s Whitney Young High School had just finished up his final high school season. White was planning to attend Oakton Community College for the 2008-2009 school year, hoping to eventually earn a baseball scholarship to a four-year school.

June 6 was White’s high school graduation. Coincidentally, it was also the second day of the MLB Amateur Draft. Initially, the draft wasn’t that big of a deal for White as he didn’t expect to get taken at all.

But in the 48th round, with the 1,449th pick, the Cleveland Indians selected the third baseman. White heard about the selection from his hitting instructor, who is also a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and received text messages from his friends.

“It’s something I dreamed of,” White said. “It was an amazing feeling just to be honored. It’s an honor to be drafted and thought highly of.”

After the draft, White received a scholarship offer from NIU and chose to head to DeKalb instead of signing with Cleveland.

Most high school players who are drafted as late as White choose to head to college rather than go to the minor leagues.

“[Professional] baseball is a sport that’s not really guaranteed,” White said, referring to the number of players that are drafted each year and how few of them ever see the major leagues. “It’s kind of difficult to go to the minors.”

So far, White’s collegiate career is off to a good start. After hitting .533 with seven home runs and 47 doubles his senior season at Whitney Young, White is currently hitting .322 with 13 RBI in 2009 as the team’s main third baseman.

“Having this much success, it’s just a dream come true,” White said. “I never thought I’d be having this much success this early.”

NIU head coach Ed Mathey thought highly of White but didn’t expect him to see the field this much right away.

“On the field, Troy has an awareness of the game,” Mathey said. “He sees the big picture of the game.”

White won’t be eligible to be drafted again until 2011, after his junior season, where he should get taken a lot higher after three years of college.

No matter what happens, he can always say he was selected in the MLB Draft.