The dream is getting a little bit closer to reality for Mt. Vernon’s Cam Sullivan.

The star hard-throwing, right-handed pitcher for the Marauders baseball team, who has signed to play collegiately at Notre Dame, is in Phoenix this week as part of the Fourth Annual Major League Baseball Draft Combine.

Last month, after the Marauders had clinched their fourth straight Hoosier Heritage Conference baseball title, Sullivan talked about having the possibility of being selected when the MLB draft takes place July 14-16.

“It’s always been a dream, but there are days when you think it’s a dream and you come to the realization that it’s probably not plausible and then there are days like, ‘Oh … it might happen,’” Sullivan said. “Getting drafted is just another step, the end goal is to play in the big leagues not to just falter in High-A or Double-A.”

Depending on draft boards and mock drafts, Sullivan has been ranked anywhere from the low 90s to around 120 on the prospects list.

Shortly after being named to play in the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association North-South All-Star game, he got the invite to come to Phoenix to be part of the combine that begins today and ends Sunday.

He will participate in tonight’s high school prospect game that is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. in Phoenix). Mt. Vernon High School head coach Brad King said Sullivan is scheduled to pitch the eighth inning. The game will be streamed on mlb.com.

Over 300 prospects were invited to the combine with around 140 of those being high schoolers. Sullivan is the only high school player from Indiana.

Currently, Sullivan is listed 118 on the mlb.com prospect list.

“Everyone has an opinion,” Sullivan said last month about his prospect ranking and where he could get drafted. “There’s probably hundreds of mock drafts out there. Everyone is different and there’s no real concrete answer on (when I could be drafted).”

MLB Network will broadcast live from 1-6 p.m. ET today, the first of two days of pro-style workouts. The telecast will include batting practice and infield/outfield drills for position players and bullpen sessions for pitchers, as well as analysis of the prospects and interviews with players and team executives.

At Mt. Vernon this past season, Sullivan went 3-1 with a 0.75 earned run average. He had seven appearances, but had a pair of starts rained out. In 37.1 innings pitched, he struck out 65, gave up 23 hits, walked 13 and relinquished only four earned runs.

Sullivan said it was during the winter he began to realize that he could get drafted. He hit 97 miles per hour on his fastball at an event in February. He started seeing his name move up the prospects list.

“In the back of my mind (being drafted), up until February, was like a pipe dream. A lot of things have to go right,” he said. “I hit 97 at an event in February in front of 150 (scouts). The first couple starts (during the season) I was up to 96 … A lot of stuff’s gone right and a lot of stuff has to continue to go right.”

Along with a strong fastball, Sullivan has two different types of sliders and a changeup in his arsenal.

Next month, most likely, he’ll have a big decision to make, either sign a pro contract or continue his academic and athletic career at Notre Dame.

“Those are two really good options,” Sullivan said. “At the end of the day, it’s a tough decision either way.”

“He’s just talented. He’s got God-given ability and he’s worked for it,” King said. “Coaches help, but he’s just got it.

“Whatever decision he makes, I’m there for him. I’m supporting him all the way. I’ll either get a new Irish hat and wear it when he’s pitching or whoever drafts him I’ll get a shirt and hat and hopefully be there for his first outing.”

Along with pitching tonight, Sullivan will be doing things off the field during the week too. He’ll have meetings with general managers, scouting directors and other club officials.

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