Dreams coming true for Dundee-Crown grad Soto

In baseball, just as in life, there's something to be said for being in the right place at the right time.

Meet infielder Elliot Soto, the Cubs' 15th-round draft choice this year out of Creighton University and Dundee-Crown High School. It's Soto's dream to play at Wrigley Field for his hometown Cubs, but on Wednesday, he got a chance to step onto that ground as a member of the Peoria Chiefs in the Road to Wrigley game against the Kane County Cougars.

"It's unreal," the 20-year-old Soto said. "I never thought it actually would be happening, especially this soon. It's just crazy standing here talking to you guys at Wrigley Field."

It's been a whirlwind few weeks for Soto, who graduated from Dundee-Crown in 2007.

The Cubs shocked him by selecting him in the June draft. Soto signed quickly and began his pro career at Mesa, Ariz., getting 6 hits in his first 16 at-bats.

But when a roster crunch hit in Peoria, Soto got the call.

"We had an injury," said Cubs farm director Oneri Fleita. "Francisco Guzman, our center fielder, went down, and we've had to play Logan Watkins in center field. We've just been trying to keep everything afloat until he (Soto) got here.

"And it turned out, what a lucky trip for him. He did go to Creighton University, my alma mater. So that helps. No, but right place, right time. He's going to get a chance to play in this game. When everybody gets healthy, there's a good chance he might go and finish out the season in Boise."

Soto, who did not play Wednesday, seems to be enjoying himself while letting the events of the past few weeks sink in.

"I was shocked," he said of being drafted by the Cubs. "I didn't even know what to think. It was a dream come true, I guess. It's been really crazy, really unexpected."

It just so happens that Soto joined the Chiefs on July 1, when they were playing at Kane County.

"I thought it was awesome, especially playing in Kane County, which is about 45 minutes from my house," the Algonquin native said. "I got to see my parents. It was nice. It's real nice have this kind of home feel to it."

Chiefs manager Casey Kopitzke, a longtime catcher in the Cubs' minor-league system, says he likes what he sees of Soto so far.

"He's only been here 4-5 days, but he comes out excited, brings a lot of energy," Kopitzke said. "He's got a nice glove at shortstop. He gives you a good at-bat every time. He's a fun guy to watch play and a good guy to have with us right now."

Soto describes himself as a contact hitter who puts the ball in play and moves the runners. He says he wants to work on all aspects of his game, especially hitting. There will be time enough for that. For Wednesday, it was time to enjoy the experience.

"I don't want to put pressure on myself," he said. "I just want to go out here and have fun and take advantage of the opportunity.

"When I walked up through here, I was like, 'Wow.' "