As he sat in the Mallards clubhouse Wednesday with his father and manager C.J. Thieleke, Brandon Wikoff anxiously waited to have his name called in the 2009 MLB Draft.
When the news finally came, the elder Wikoff saw it first on the web before Brandon received a phone call from a scout within the Houston Astros organization.
Wikoff was selected 20th in the fifth round (161st overall) by the Astros.
“It wasn’t much of a surprise,” Thieleke said. “I think everybody was thinking he would be taken right about where he went.”
Thieleke and the Mallards expect Wikoff to sign with the Astros, prompting the manager to change his lineup for Wednesday night’s game.
Instead of starting at shortstop and batting his usual leadoff, Wikoff got an opportunity to take the hill Wednesday, throwing out a ceremonial first pitch before the game.
“It’s still a little bit surreal, but it’s been an awesome experience so far,” Wikoff said. “To be able to throw out the first pitch in front the fans here was great. You can’t ask for anything more than what these fans give you, and I’ve had a great time in my three years here in Madison.”
Without Wikoff manning shortstop, the Mallards had some big shoes to fill defensively. And while they expect the junior from the University of Illinois to leave the team to sign with Houston, they were happy to bring him back for a third season in Madison.
Wikoff hit .316 in five games with the Mallards this season, going 6-for-19 with four runs scored and a pair of doubles. The biggest thing he brought to the team, however, was his ability defensively.
“It’s a big loss for our defense obviously to lose Brandon,” pitcher Joe Yermal said. “I’m happy for him though; it’s a great thing for him to get drafted.”
Over the last two seasons in Madison, Wikoff was one of the Mallards’ most consistent hitters, batting over .300 each year. Last season, he led all Northwoods League hitters in the postseason with eight hits over five games, good for a .444 average.
When asked about Wikoff, Thieleke thought of one of Madison’s most beloved sports stars in recent years.
“To me he’s like Jimmy Leonard in a way; it’s just a great story,” Thieleke said. “Brandon has always been the one who’s had to prove everyone wrong, especially those who doubted him based on his size. The kid just knows how to play and he’ll do so for a long time. He’ll play until they tear the jersey off his back.”
After suiting up for likely the last time as a Mallard, Wikoff has a long road in front of him to reach his final goal, but he is excited to take the next step.
For now, he’s just thinking about what he’s going to do in the next few days.
“I’ll talk to somebody probably tomorrow to find out some more details,” Wikoff said. “For now, I think I’m going to head out [Thursday] and go back home for a couple days before I head out elsewhere. I want to just spend some time with my family and friends and have some fun with them before I have to leave.”
In his postgame speech, Thieleke gave his players some advice as he told them to send Wikoff home with one last great memory of Madison, but he reminded them to be smart about it.
For Wikoff, one of his best memories as a Mallard came this year in his third season with the club, though it lasted just one week.
“When Adam McClain hit that walk-off grand slam,” Wikoff said. “That’s got to be right up there as one of the best moments of my Mallards career. Just seeing the crowd go crazy and being able to celebrate at home plate was a fun experience.”
