BUTLER TWP — Nick Patten wanted to play professional baseball so badly that he left his hometown early.

The Butler resident gave up his senior year at Butler High School — his final year of basketball and baseball as well as graduation with the Golden Tornado — to enroll at the IMG Academy in Florida.

“The (major league) draft was his end goal, that's for sure,” Butler basketball coach Matt Clement said.

It all paid off Wednesday when the University of Delaware junior first baseman was selected in the 28th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“Since I was 3 years old, my dream has been to play professional baseball. Today, that dream came true,” Patten said.

Though he said he will discuss options with his family, Patten admitted he was strongly leaning toward signing.

“This looks like the best opportunity for me and my family ... a great experience for all of us,” he said.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Patten was the preseason choice for Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year this spring. He wound up hitting .241 with nine homers and 30 RBI. That production paled in comparison to his freshman and sophomore seasons, though the potential is clearly there.

“Once he gets through the door, he will outwork everybody,” Clement said of Patten. “Nick is that type.

“Everywhere he's gone, he got himself on the field and began producing quickly.”

Patten said he pressed too hard this season.

“I kept thinking about the draft, trying to put up big numbers,” he said. “I tried to do too much. I learned a lot about myself that way. You just have to relax and let this game come to you.”

Patten stood out enough at IMG Academy to receive a scholarship from Delaware. He broke into the starting lineup with the Blue Hens as a freshman, hitting .285 with 12 homers and 46 RBI.

Last year, he hit .312 with 14 homers and 54 RBI, prompting the high expectations for this season.

“Nick went to the Cape Cod summer league last year and even proved himself there,” Clement said. “He has answered every challenge.

“That's why I think he'll go to the minor leagues and do well,” added Clement, a former major league pitcher. “He won't be fazed by it. Nick has what it takes to work himself up to the major leagues. I firmly believe that.”

Patten's nine homers led the Blue Hens this season, as did his 14 doubles and 38 walks. He had a .386 on-base percentage.

During the draft, Patten also heard from the Dodgers, Padres, Cubs, A's, Rays and Indians. But it was the Pirates who showed the most interest.

Dan Radcliff, a Pirate scout, visited Patten at Delaware last fall. The Pirates also called him a week before the draft “to gauge my interest,” Patten said.

“When he visited, he asked me if I felt like I was ready for the next level,” Patten said of Radcliff. “It was more of a personality thing, them trying to get to know me a little bit.

“When the Pirates called before the draft, they asked if I would accept the slot contract for the first 10 rounds. Then they called about rounds 11-13. Finally, it all worked out later.

“It was Dan Radcliff who called to tell me the Pirates picked me. I was thrilled. I went to Pirate games when I was a kid. I played a game at PNC Park as a sophomore at Butler,” he added.

Should Patten sign, he was told he would likely report to the West Virginia Black Bears, the Pirates' short-season Class A team in the New York-Penn League.

“The Pirates have been open and honest about everything. They will pay for my final year of college if I decide to go,” Patten said.

A criminal justice major, Patten has two semesters remaining.

“My degree is important to me. I'll finish that, for sure,” he said.