Wauconda native thrives in Dodgers system

While many of his former high school classmates prepare to hit the books for their sophomore year of college, Kevin Malisheski also waits for the next chapter in his life.

And waits.

A Dodgers prospect wants out of Dodge, so to speak, even if means keeping his new Dodge Charger parked in his parents' driveway. Malisheski is ready to bolt Arizona, where the Wauconda graduate has been pitching since signing with the Dodgers following his graduation from high school last year.

On Thursday night, Malisheski pitched 4 innings, allowing just a 2-run homer, in an Arizona League (rookie) game. After being assigned to extended spring training to start the season, Malisheski returned home to Wauconda for a few days last month before going back to Arizona for the start of the AL. In 10⅔ innings (3 appearances), he boasts a 3.38 ERA.

"You're really not traveling to other states or whatnot to play a minor league game," Malisheski said. "You're going 20 minutes away. It feels a lot like high school baseball."

He's not facing high school hitters, however.

"The competition is really good," Malisheski said. "Everyone is amazing. But I think a lot of people are just ready to move on. It's a long process."

Understandably, the Dodgers are being cautious with the 6-foot-3, 200-pound righty, who slipped to the 38th round last year after missing most of his senior baseball season. Malisheski didn't make his season debut for Wauconda until early May after tearing his ACL in the football team's playoff loss the previous fall. He was already taking summer classes at Illinois State and planning to pitch for the Redbirds, when he accepted the Dodgers' $260,000 offer.

He spent the rest of last summer in Arizona, came home for two weeks, bought a new black Dodge Charger with some of his bonus money (yes, the Dodger bought a Dodge) and then was invited to the instructional league in the fall.

"It was cool to get invited there," Malisheski said.

In early February, he headed to spring training in Glendale, Arizona, and then experienced what it's like to be a player in the Dodgers system. During his first bullpen session, a gentleman wearing sunglasses approached him and studied his mechanics.

"I threw 2-3 pitches," Malisheski said. "He was like, 'Hey, kid. You're looking good. How about we try this?' I tried it and the next pitch was a good pitch. He said, 'You like that?' I said, 'Yeah, that felt really good.' He's like, 'Good. My name's Orel Hershiser.' "

Malisheski was throwing 89-93 mph in spring training but saw his velocity drop. He took two weeks off to rest his shoulder, which had inflammation, and since then he says he's been throwing consistently between 88-91 mph.

Since the start of the season, he's been a different person, period. The thrill of being drafted - and even meeting Dodger greats - has faded. He's a professional baseball player.

"Last year I didn't really know if I belonged here or not," Malisheski said. "I could have done better, but the ERA was under 4 (3.86 in 14 innings). ... (Now), every time I go out on the mound, I know I belong here."

His dad, Mike, has seen a difference in his youngest son, who turns 20 in September. It's all part of the maturation process for a teenager who's been living 1,800 miles from home for the last year.

"You can see the confidence in him that maybe about a year ago he didn't have," Mike Malisheski said.

"I miss the college experience, meeting new people," Kevin Malisheski said. "But I wanted to play baseball. So it was worth it (to sign with the Dodgers)."

As the temperatures soar in Arizona, the young ballplayer is eager to rise. The Ogden Raptors are the Dodgers' short-season Class A team in Utah. Los Angeles' low Class A affiliate, the Great Lakes Loons, is located in Michigan.

"I'd like to be in Utah (initially)," Malisheski said. "It's more minor league. You play in a stadium and get a few thousand fans. ... The goal would be to play in Utah, continue to do well and then end the year in Michigan.

"I would just be happy to get out of Arizona."

And continue living the dream.

• Former Mundelein and University of Illinois at Chicago pitcher Mitchell Schulewitz signed last Sunday with the Kansas City Royals.

Schulewitz, who went undrafted, was a senior standout in the bullpen for the Flames this past spring. He came on in relief in 20 games and posted a 3-1 record with 2 saves and a 2.38 ERA in 22⅔ innings. He averaged 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings and was called upon in four of UIC's 11 shutout victories. Opponents batted only .200 against the sidewinding right-hander.

Primarily utilized as a reliever, Schulewitz appeared in 83 games from 2014-17 with only 8 starts, all of which came as a junior in 2016. He had a career record of 10-15 with 5 saves and a 4.13 ERA, throwing 152⅔ innings with 136 strikeouts and only 55 walks.

Schulewitz was the captain of the 2013 Daily Herald Lake County all-area baseball team.

jaguilar@dailyherald.com

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