SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University pitcher Lou Trivino grew up dreaming of becoming a professional baseball player.

It will likely become a reality by the end of this week.

The MLB first-year player draft begins Thursday and concludes Saturday. Based on what Trivino and SRU baseball coach Jeff Messer have heard, it appears the 6-foot-5, 235-pound right-hander is a lock to be selected.

“He’s definitely going to get drafted,” said Messer. “It’s just a matter of where and when.”

“I really don’t know where I’ll fall,” said Trivino. “I’ve heard so many different numbers, so many different rounds. It’s just one of those things.”

The MLB first-year player draft is 40 rounds long — Rounds 1-2 on Thursday, 3-10 on Friday and 11-40 on Saturday. Predictions for Trivino have varied from as early as the fifth round all the way to the 25th. Messer thinks between the 15th and 20th round is the most likely landing spot.

Trivino has attended workouts with the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres.

At times, the process has left the junior in awe.

“Honestly, it’s been a dream come true,” said Trivino. “I think every kid at one point in their life has dreamed about hopefully getting drafted one day and playing in the majors.

“Not many kids get a chance to say they have scouts come to their games and they’re looking to get drafted,” he added. “It’s an absolute blessing. It’s one of those experiences you’ll never forget and you wouldn’t give up for the world.”

The workouts included a 15-to-20 pitch bullpen session, along with a chance to talk with team management and scouts.

Trivino explained three or four scouts from the organizations had already seen him, but the workouts present an opportunity to showcase his ability directly to the general manager and about 25 other members of team personnel.

“You get a chance to throw in front of them and have them see for themselves what kind of stuff you have,” said Trivino. “Hopefully, you open some eyes.”

The visit with Philadelphia was particularly exciting for the Green Lane native and lifelong Phillies fan.

“To go to Citizens Bank Park not only to pitch, but to go out in the outfield and shag fly balls for the hitters and to stretch and sit in the bullpen where Jonathan Papelbon sits and all the other great pitchers ... it was amazing,” said Trivino. “To be in the dugout, to be able to talk to all the scouts, talk to (General Manager) Ruben Amaro, it’s one of those things you just don’t forget. It was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had.”

Trivino admits being picked by the Phillies would be a bonus, but he doesn’t have his heart set on his hometown team.

“I just want to play baseball professionally,” he said.

That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, though.

“I know the Phillies are very high on him,” said Messer. “He’s a big strong ox that throws hard and has improved every year. It’s their type of player, a big pitcher, and he does have size going for him.”

Trivino — who features a fastball, curveball, change-up, slider and cutter — finished his junior season at SRU with a 7-5 record, 1.83 ERA, 92 strikeouts in 83 2-3 innings and five complete-game shutouts. He allowed two earned runs or less in nine of 12 starts and tossed a no-hitter March 2 against Bloomsburg.

“He’s a student of the game and he works as hard or harder than any pitcher we’ve ever had,” said Messer. “His work ethic is unmatched.”

Messer doesn’t want Trivino to be overly concerned about where he’s drafted. Former SRU star Matt Adams was told he’d likely be picked somewhere between the fifth and eighth round in the 2009 draft and ended up falling to the 23rd.

Adams has since worked his way through the St. Louis Cardinals organization and has earned a spot on the major league club.

“Let the chips fall, see where they fall and go from there, but don’t get your hopes up,” Messer said. “If it doesn’t happen until the 25th round, be happy.”

That shouldn’t be a problem for Trivino.

“It’s just exciting,” he said. “It’s an experience not many people get to have in their lifetime and I’m just blessed and fortunate to be a part of this.”