If you’re following the MLB Draft at all, you’ve likely heard that the Indians drafted an infielder out of Pitt Junior College (actually located in North Carolina…weird) named Lonnie Chisenall with their first round selection. Before we get in depth, here is the official press release from the Indians Media Relations:
CLEVELAND, OH — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has selected INF LONNIE CHISENHALL with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.
Chisenhall, 19, spent the 2008 school year at Pitt Junior College in Greenville, NC where he hit .410 (68-166) with 27 doubles, 8 homers and 66 RBI for the Bulldogs, who went 41-15 on the season and finished one win shy of qualifying for the NJCAA World Series. The Newport, NC native drew 38 walks and struck out just 8 times all season. Following the season the left-handed hitting infielder was a NJCAA All-District and First Team All-Region X All-Conference selection.
Not bad numbers. In fact, Chisenhall is a left-handed batter, right-handed in the field, and can actually play in the outfield as well as third base. He also clocked in a few innings on the hill, when needed. As an incoming Freshman, his player bio read that he was “one of the best looking hitters ever recruited.”
The only thing that the above note doesn’t tell you is that his Freshman season was actually played at the University of South Carolina – a team he was dismissed from in 2007 after being charged with a count of grand larceny.
Of course, Wes Hodges may get there first, and make all of us forget about Chisenhall. But until that happens, we can bank on knowing that the Tribe is investing in a very versitile player that should be able to contribute somewhere down the line – even if it is in the outfield, and even if he does have a bit of a rap sheet.
Tanner: There’s No Explanation For It [WLTX.com]
Author: Scott
Scott is a co-founder/editor of Waiting For Next Year who resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Feel free to follow him on Twitter or email him at scott@waitingfornextyear.com.Scott has written 1698 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
This pick is pretty weird to say the least. I often bitch about this team not taking “high ceiling” players in recent drafts and now this? Nobody can say this wasn’t a cheap pick either because Boston took Casey Kelly with the very next pick who is a superior player AND doesn’t have a rap sheet. Ugh…
I DO like the 2nd rounder though…the H.S. pitcher from Texas whose name escapes me at the moment.
Just to clear things up a bit, Lonnie played his sophomore season for Pitt Community College, which is a two-year school located in North Carolina’s Pitt County. He was a standout at West Carteret High School, at the University of South Carolina and at PCC. I can tell you personally that he never presented himself as the least bit cocky during his time at Pitt — on or off the field. The guy can flat out hit a baseball, has a tremendous eye at the plate (he struck out just eight times all season), and he has a great arm, as evidenced by the seven saves he recorded in eight innings of work. As for the single incident at USC that will likely (and unfortunately) follow him for quite some time to come, I truly think it was an aberration and will never be repeated by him. In short, Cleveland is getting a heckuva player and a good person. It’s up to the organization now to bring him along and help him continue to develop into a Major Leaguer. The tools are there.
Rob – Are you the photographer?
Thank you for the comment.
I hope that he develops into the player that his numbers reflect. I’m looking forward to watching his progression, and hope that he can prove a lot of pundits wrong. This post wasn’t meant to disparage Lonnie, just to mention issues that are obviously aren’t being discussed by Cleveland-based media. Thanks again.
“As for the single incident at USC…”
You mean the incident where he happened to get caught? You think this is a one-time thing? Uh uh. Trust me, it isn’t. He’s done this before. Guys like him coast through life based on their superior athletic abilities. And now he’s going to be rewarded with a million-dollar contract. Think he’s learned his lesson?
Is he allowed to steal bases, or is it a parole violation?
remember the outcry when Rivera (not Mariano) stole Jeter’s glove and was released soon after? well, this guy assisted in stealing $thousands in cash and equiptment (i.e. a PS3 & flatscreen tv) from his own team and coaches at S. Carolina!!! what a piece of shit. is there anything lower than a teammate who you can’t trust in your own locker room?
You guys are idiots who have no idea what you are talking about. Lonnie is not a thugh and is not going to continue to steal, which the Indians organization already knows. Matt, don’t say things about someone who you know absolutley nothing about.
He was once ranked #1 collegiate prospect as well as #1 junior college prospect. He’ll be in Cleveland by 2012.
#1 college freshman prospect that is
Rick you are so funny, not.
By the way Mike, he didn’t steal from his own team or any cash so you might want to get your facts straight before you go bashing on somebody that I’m pretty sure you don’t even know. Lonnie has matured tremendously within the past year and regrets everything that happened the way it did and ps: he had never done anything like that before so grow up. He was really in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong person. If you met him I bet you would actually like him. So stop being jealous and mind your own business.
Thanks:)
Wow, nice to see Lonnie’s family found the site…I think you need to take it easy, and recognize that we want Lonnie to succeed.
Then please show him some support instead of putting him down
thank you
You may not want to go to many of his games…I’m pretty sure they will be much meaner in the stands than anyone here has been.
I’m quite sure that Lonnie’s theft days are over, especially once he gets his 1st round signing bonus. Most guys with 3-5 million dollars don’t have to steal video games.
Good going Jimmy! You tell ‘em. Obviously, these nuts posting these blogs do not know Lonnie. Lonnie owned-up to his mistake; took the punishment and has put this behind him. I am sure all of us have something in our past we regret. You can all bet he will go far with the Indians and make everyone who has tried to knock him down eat their words! Best of luck Lonnie!
Hey pacodog, try actually reading the article before you rip on the “nuts” writing for this site. The article is hardly disparaging towards Lonnie. It merely points out the FACT that Lonnie has an arrest in his past. If you would have read the article before spouting off in your comments, you would have read where Scott said THE EXACT SAME THING YOU DID. That Lonnie made a mistake when he was young, and hopefully he’s learned from it and moved on. All of us Indians fans are 100% behind Lonnie and want him to succeed, so settle down. Sheesh.
I hope you know what you are talking about. I am a relative and he comes from a good family. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He is a good ball player. The ones that said negative remarks about Lonnie are just jealous.
mary just because you slept with him doesn’t mean we have to listen to you’re babble.
tell you what, I am going to see him play tomorrow night. I live in the town where the Mahoning Valley Scrappers play and tuesday is opening night. I’ll watch him play, he got assigned there, and really if he can play, the incident in his past will be forgotten about. If he proves to be a headcase, he won’t make it up the ladder anyways. I think he will be fine, and I hope he is in Cleveland before 2012.
I think what’s really going to happen is that this kid is going to be a really good player and will grow to brink of greatness just as his contract is about to expire. And then he will want too much money and, of course, Cleveland won’t give it to him. Then New York or Boston will step up to the pump, and offer the kid the money he wants and he will be a superstar and win 2-3 world series.
It’s all part of the Cleveland Curse.
Well the game turned out really well for Lonnie Chisnhall. In his first at bat on the first pitch he saw he hit a grand slam!…oh wait that was kevin kouzmanoff in his debut with the indians. Lonnie hit a pitch down the third base line and got thrown out at first. But he actually had a good night. 2 for 5 with three runs scored. I wrote more about it at my site clevelandcurse.com
I went to another Mahoning Valley Scrappers game last night. I picked a good one too. The Scrappers won it in the bottom of the 11th inning on walk off 2 run homer by Lonnie Chisenall!!!! it was his 3rd hit of the game, and scond run scored. His defense was a little shaky, but not bad. However on the season he is only batting about .150 and that was his first home run. I guess I just pick the games to go to that he hits the ball well in.
keep going to those games, jay!
he is batting .209 with an OPS of .701, i think he has arlready been with the scrappers longer than last years 1st round pick Beau Mills was
For all of you who are saying he is overrated, You’re wrong. For all of you who are saying he has stolen stuff before and this is the only time he got caught, you too are wrong. I went to high school with Lonnie and he is a good guy and an amazing player. He knows he is good but he is not cocky or arragant as some are saying he is. Give him a chance before you throw him under the bus, and Jay…keep going to the games if you truly are his good luck charm.
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