MIDLAND, MI — Even Paul Hoenecke wore a hat that covered his ears Thursday.”The other guys get on me sometime about the weather, like how can a person live with depressing weather like this,” the Great Lakes Loons infielder said. “And I have to admit that even though I’ve lived in this kind of weather, it’s pretty depressing.

“They’ll change their mind in May.”

Hoenecke is from Wisconsin, playing four years for Wisconsin-Milwaukee before the Los Angeles Dodgers took him in the 24th round of the 2012 draft.  He immediately made the Dodgers’ scouting department look good, leading the Arizona League with a .382 batting average.

The Loons had a second consecutive rainout Wednesday, ending a season-opening, seven-game homestand with a 2-3 record. The Loons begin a four-game series Thursday at the Dayton Dragons.

“Even compared to Arizona, I would prefer to be here,” Hoenecke said. “And it’s miserable weather here right now. But playing in Arizona was weird. There weren’t any fans. It was a beautiful facility, but it just didn’t feel the same as something like playing here.”Hoenecke played his high school baseball in Wisconsin (West Bend West), his college baseball in Wisconsin (Wisconsin-Milwaukee) and his summer wood-bat baseball in Wisconsin (Green Bay Bullfrogs).

But he was ready to leave for Arizona when the Dodgers picked him.

“I was just grateful that someone picked me,” Hoenecke said. “I didn’t have a great senior season. I didn’t care how old I was or how old anyone was in Arizona. I wanted to show the Dodgers they made a good choice. It exceeded my expectations.”

Hoenecke, 21, was second in the Arizona League in on-base plus slugging (1.064) and third in total bases (107).

He also surprised the Dodgers with his versatility on defense. During his four years at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Hoenecke began as a third baseman, then moved to second as a sophomore. In his final two seasons, Hoenecke played both catcher and first base.

“The Dodgers had me at first base and outfield, but I started taking some grounders at third, fooling around,” Hoenecke said. “They liked my action around third and put me there.

“I prefer third base over first base and definitely over the outfield. At third base, you always have to be ready … it’s the hot corner. I enjoy playing both. Wherever they need me, that’s where I go.”

Hoenecke, a left-handed hitter, leads the Loons after five games with a .438 batting average, seven hits, three doubles and a homer. He also paces Great Lakes in total bases (13) and slugging (.813). He’s played two games at first and three at third.

“I don’t put any goals as far as numbers, but I do see myself as a .300 hitter,” Hoenecke said. “But you can’t get caught up in numbers. If at the end of the day, I have good, solid at-bats, the numbers will be there.”