Paul Hoenecke is playing a solid third base for Rancho Cucamonga this year, both with the bat and at the hot corner. A Wisconsin native, Hoenecke was drafted out of high school, but opted to go to college at UWM. When he was drafted after his senior year, by the Dodgers in the 24th round, Hoenecke signed and started on his professional career.
Not long into this year’s Cal League season, Hoenecke got called up to AA Tulsa for what turned out to be a 6-game stint at 1B. But the bulk of the season has been with the Quakes, where he’s slashing .315/.351/.498 with seven homers and 42 RBIs over 67 games.
I had a chance to speak to Paul before a game this past weekend and we talked about his career path, the brief promotion to Tulsa, and getting some time in the big-league camp in Spring Training, among other things. Paul’s a positive-energy guy and it is easy to see why it is all working out for him on the field.
WHEN YOU WERE DRAFTED IN 2008 IN THE 42ND ROUND BY DETROIT, WAS IT A HARD DECISION TO TURN THAT DOWN AND GO TO COLLEGE?
There wasn’t enough money on the table at the time to not go to college. It wasn’t life-changing money by any means. I just thought that I would go and get my degree and then I would continue my career that way. Right now I am three classes away and I plan on getting it whenever that time comes.
