Chase Burnette was drafted by the Cleveland Indians this past June.  The Indians seem to have gotten their money’s worth by nabbing Burnette in the 18th round of the draft.  The 22 year-old Buford, Georgia native has been the most consistent power threat the Scrappers have introduced, arguably, in franchise history.  Heading into Friday’s game, Burnette was leading the team in home runs (4), RBI (12), and has done a good job in the field bouncing around first base and the outfield.  Last year, a Scrapper did not have four home runs until August.  I recently had a chance to meet Burnette and asked him the tough questions.

Paneech: You played your college ball at Georgia Tech. What persuaded you to attend that school?

Burnette: It was nice to have a big Division I school like Georgia Tech recruiting me because it was right in my area where I grew up.  It was also nice for my parents to come and see my games.  My Freshman year, I was the first left-handed bat off of the bench, and our coach liked to pinch hit so I got some at-bats.  My Sophomore year, I got a few starts in the outfield, and by the midway point I was starting at DH the rest of the year.

Paneech: You have shown versatility by playing first base and in the outfield, where are you most comfortable?

Burnette: I spent most of my time playing in the outfield in college, that is where I feel most comfortable.  I feel like I can play wherever I am needed, but I say I am most comfortable in the outfield because of my time spent there.

Paneech: You are on pace to hit 20 bombs this season, a very good total for short-season baseball.  Are you keeping up with it?

Burnette: I really don’t pay attention to statistics.  Home runs never come when I try to hit one. The only time I seem to hit a home run is when I really just try to make solid contact with the ball.  I’m just gonna go out there and keep trying to square the ball up and what happens, happens.

Paneech: Growing up near Atlanta, were you upset that the Braves bypassed you a few times before Cleveland stepped up and chose you?

Burnette: (laughing) No, not at all.  I did grow up near Atlanta a Braves fan.  I was thrilled to get drafted and didn’t care by who as long as the phone rang, I was pumped.  I found out I was drafted in a pretty unique way.  I was watching the draft throughout the day and the wife and I decided to go do something and get out of the house for a bit.  We rode over to Target, and I was actually in the fitting room when my phone rang.  It was my buddy’s brother calling from Texas.  When I answered he was like ‘ Aaay, congratulations on being drafted’.  I was like, really?  By who?  He said, ‘Cleveland Indians’, and I was like ‘cool!’  That’s how I found out and the scout was beeping in on the call waiting.

Paneech: What is it like to play under Travis Fryman?

Burnette: It’s great, I remember playing video games when I was a kid and using him.  It’s awesome to have someone like him to learn from with so much knowledge and experience.  You also learn about the way he approaches the game and the way he conducts himself.  I think it is an awesome opportunity.

Paneech: Tell me what you think of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley so far?

Burnette: It’s a lot different from down South.  I’m staying with a host family in a small town called Newton Falls, and I am loving it so far.  I am kind of used to the whole host family experience thing, so that is nothing new.  I got married January 1 of this year, so the wife is staying with the host family too.  I have known her since we were six years old.

Paneech: Realistically, how far can you go with this, how far do you want to go?

Burnette: I believe that God has a plan for all of us. I’ll play this out as long as I can and see where it takes me.  I’ll see where God wants me to go with it.  I’m in it for as long as I can have fun and do the best that I can.  I majored in management in college and my father has an insurance business, so once I finish up a couple of semesters at Tech, I can fall back into a thriving and lucrative family business.  Baseball also has a way of presenting opportunities off of the field, so I may be fortunate and land something.

One Word Answers

Favorite Meal of The Day: Dinner.

Fast Food: Taco Bell.

Favorite Movie: Matrix.

Favorite Soft Drink: Coke.

Favorite TV Show: Lost.

Favorite Music: Country — Blake Shelton.

Least favorite Music: Jazz.

Biggest Phobia: Spiders.

Worst Habit: I talk a lot.