Billy McKinney was surprised when the Oakland Athletics took him with the 24th overall pick in the 2013 Draft.
"Their scouts a very stealthy," the outfielder said. "I really didn't know if they were that interested."
The real shock, though, came a little over a year later.
McKinney was traded to the Chicago Cubs as part of Oakland's first blockbuster deal of the summer. Along with him went shortstop Addison Russell -- the Athletics' first-round pick the year before McKinney.
"That's what really stunned me," McKinney said. "I know how much they loved Addison."
Oakland loved McKinney's potential, too. But the Athletics are looking to win now and agreed to part with their two top prospects to land Jeff Samardzija and fellow starter Jason Hammel.
The rebuilding Cubs -- their impressive prospect list now even better -- were the beneficiaries.
Russell, the 11th overall pick in the 2012 Draft, is off to a strong start in his new organization at Double-A Tennessee. and McKinney has done the same with Daytona in the Class A Advanced Florida State League.
McKinney, who doesn't turn 20 until Aug. 23, hit a team-best .327 in his first 31 games with Daytona and had nine extra-base hits and 28 RBIs. His on-base percentage was .424 thanks to 18 walks.
"The guys here have really made it easy," McKinney said of the transition to a new organization. "I couldn't be happier to be a Cub."
As much as the left-handed hitter and thrower was looking forward to reaching the Major Leagues with Oakland, Wrigley Field is certainly a more intriguing potential destination than O.co Coliseum.
McKinney has already played inside the ivy-covered walls once. That was in the 2012 Under Armour All-American Game before his senior year at Dallas area Plano West High School.
"Everyone hopes to play in Wrigley Field," McKinney said. "It's a stadium you know about even if you're not a baseball fan."
In the talent-laden Cubs farm system, it won't necessarily be easy to get there, though.
McKinney has dropped from No. 2 on the Oakland prospect list to No. 9 with the Cubs, who have eight among MLB.com's Top 100.
"There are definitely a bunch of great players in this organization," he said.
McKinney tweaked his shoulder at the end of July diving for a ball in Daytona but missed just a few days. He was 8-for-20 with six walks in his first six games back while temporarily serving as the designated hitter.
"I'm sure I'll be back in right field soon," he said. "I'm fine -- it's just precautionary."
A rough May left McKinney hitting just .241 with Stockton of the Class A Advanced California League at the time of the trade, but his overall numbers are still solid for the season.
In 101 combined games, McKinney had 18 doubles, four triples, 11 homers, 61 RBIs and 54 walks. His on-base percentage was .424 and his slugging mark .449.
Although Russell was the big-name prospect going to the Cubs, McKinney deserves attention in his own right.
"It was an honor to be a part of a trade like that," he said. "It was surprising but very exciting, too."