A bout with mononucleosis prematurely ended Steven Wright's collegiate career and delayed the start of his pro career. Now healthy and well-rested, the former University of Hawai'i pitcher can't wait for his first spring training with the Cleveland Indians.

"It's going to be interesting," said Wright, here this week before leaving for spring training in Winter Haven, Fla. "I got an invite to early camp, so I get a feel for it before the majority of the guys come, so I'll be able to settle in. I'm pretty excited."

As had been anticipated since he signed with Hawai'i out of Valley View High in Moreno Valley, Calif., the 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-handed pitcher decided to skip his senior season of eligibility when he signed with the Indians, who made him the 56th overall selection of the June draft. A $630,000 signing bonus was reason enough.

The only damper to Wright's All-America season in which he also was named Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year after going 11-2 with a 2.30 earned run average was that he missed a start in UH's regional appearance in Corvallis, Ore., because of his illness. While other draft picks who were signed were assigned to minor league teams, Wright spent most of the summer trying to gain his strength back. Toward the end of summer, he went to the Indians' Low-A affiliate in Mahoning Valley, Ohio, for throwing rehab. His introduction to pro ball came in fall instructional league.

"The throwing program geared me up for instructs," Wright said. "So for me, it was awesome because I got to pitch live, finally getting into some games. It was fun. I threw twice a week off a mound."

He returned to Hawai'i after instructional league to visit friends, including those playing in Hawaii Winter Baseball. He went back home to California for the winter and returned here recently to work out. He has been doing bullpen work with former UH batterymate Esteban Lopez, a minor leaguer with the Los Angeles Dodgers who was drafted in the 25th round last summer.

Wright and other top prospects in the Indians system have been invited to attend spring training ahead of most of the minor leaguers.

"It's not big league camp," Wright explained. "We just go there early, meet all the big league coaches, work with them for a week or 10 days. When all the (remaining) minor league guys come (to camp), they put us with them."

Wright was primarily a reliever at UH, only starting regularly as a junior. He caught scouts' attention the previous summer in the Cape Cod League, where most of the top college prospects play. He won a relief pitcher award for his effort. He said the Indians will try him as a starter.

"It depends on how I'm doing as a starter and how the big league team is doing, as far as starting or relieving," Wright said. "What they said is I'll probably end up being a reliever, which doesn't bother me at all. But they said they can see me in the big leagues within three years as a reliever, rather than a starter. But starting is not out of the equation. They just said they're leaning a lot towards relieving because of the success I had at the Cape."

Upon signing, Wright said he was told he would be assigned to High-A Kinston (N.C.) of the Carolina League.

"Unless something dramatic happens, like an injury or I just do terrible in spring training, then I'll probably go to Lake County (Ohio), which is the Low A," said the 22-year-old. "They want me to start off in High-A and finish off at Double-A by the end of the year."

Meanwhile, Wright is enjoying life as a pro. He has a contract with sporting goods manufacturer Rawlings, which gave him two personalized gloves. And even though he hasn't reached the big leagues yet, he already is on several baseball cards by Bowman, a line of Topps.

"I guess it comes with the perks of becoming a pro ball player," he said.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.