George Bilecki had his summer mapped out pretty clearly.

After a historic home-run season last spring at Lewis University, the Marist grad transferred to Arizona State.

So, in preparation for his senior season with the Sun Devils and striving to keep improving his all-around game, Bilecki played for the Eau Claire Express in the Northwoods League.

And then, the requests from MLB scouts started rolling in.

Continuing a whirlwind summer, Bilecki was drafted by the San Diego Padres on July 14 in the 12th round of the MLB Draft. He signed his contract with the Padres on July 17 and flew out to the team’s spring training complex on July 20.

“All of this has been nothing short of a surprise. It’s a surreal feeling,” Bilecki said. “I did well in my workouts, but you have no idea what the organizations are thinking. Everything you do in baseball, it’s hoping you get drafted one day. This is a great opportunity, and I’m betting on myself.”

Bilecki, a Beverly resident, is a 2022 Marist grad and St. Barnabas Elementary School graduate. In three seasons at Lewis, he showed marked improvement each year, especially last spring when he set a new program mark for home runs in a season with 23. Then, he was set to make the jump from Division II to Division I baseball with his transfer to Arizona State.

His baseball journey is another prime example of why baseball fans love the sport, and Bilecki is confident as he begins his professional career.

“The Padres equipment manager had texted me, asking what size I wear for my uniform, my hat. I’m thinking ‘OK, it’s showtime!’”Bilecki said with a laugh. “It’s pretty crazy.”

Bilecki, also a standout defensive center fielder, was playing for the Express early this summer after his big year at Lewis when scouts from several MLB teams invited him to some workouts as the draft approached on July 13-14.

He eventually worked out for the Padres, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and Miami Marlins.

His first reaction was to be a little surprised.

“When they said workout, I thought the weight room,” Bilecki said with a laugh. “It’s a showcase, batting practice, defensive sessions, live at-bats, talking to people face to face and shaking their hands.”

Bilecki said he felt all the workouts went well, especially the Padres workout at the team’s High-A affiliate stadium in Fort Wayne, Ind.

He was driving home with his dad, Frank, and had to wrap his head around the possibilities.

“We’re driving home, and we said, ‘This might actually happen!’” Bilecki said. “It was just a whole bunch of emotions. The Cubs workout was probably the best workout, but it was all just so unbelievable.”

When the MLB Draft began, Bilecki tried to stay low-key. He watched the first three rounds of the TV coverage on Day One with family and heard all the commentators on the MLB Network talk about the potential stories about players who came out of nowhere to burst onto the scene.

Bilecki couldn’t help but think, “Why not me?”

On the second day of the draft, things heated up. His advisor called to tell him the Padres were all in and looking to draft him in the middle rounds. Then, another call came through; the Cubs were also all in.

It was just a matter of who would pick him first.

In the 12th round and the 370th pick overall, Bilecki heard his name called by the Padres.

“We were following the teams I’d worked out with and kept track of their picks,” Bilecki said. “It was all in God’s hands. I’m not a really nervous person. If it happened, it happened. I had so much love and support from my family and friends. It was awesome. I am forever grateful.”

Before leaving for Arizona, Bilecki tried to soak in his last week at home by hanging out with family and friends, enjoying a pizza from Roseangelas and just appreciating the moment.

For Bilecki, it was another step in a wonderful baseball journey, and one he can’t wait to continue.

“I’m a tough kid from the South Side of Chicago,” Bilecki said. “I’m going to put my head down and work and try to help the team win however I can. I’ll do whatever it takes to win. I heard my name called on the TV, and it’s just ‘Wow!’ You kind of black out for a second.”