kimblr.com

Chris Assenheimer | The Chronicle-Telegram
CLEVELAND — In what was at the very least an interesting selection Thursday, the Indians chose third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall with the 29th overall pick in the amateur draft.
Chisenhall was not among the top 50 players in the draft, according to Baseball America, which tabbed him 74th after he hit .401 with eight home runs and 61 RBIs in 19 games for Pitt (N.C.) Community College this season.
What made the pick even more peculiar is that the Indians, who strongly value character in their players, chose one with past issues in the department. Chisenhall was at community college this year because he was dismissed from the University of South Carolina after being arrested on burglary and grand larceny charges during his freshman season with the Gamecocks in 2007.
The Indians claim they did their due diligence in investigating Chisenhall’s past. One of their scouts has known the player since his junior year in high school, while assistant general manager John Mirabelli consulted Chisenhall’s coach at Pitt, a friend of the assistant GM’s. The club even contacted South Carolina coach Ray Tanner.
“Every person we spoke to spoke highly of Lonnie’s character,” said director of scouting Brad Grant. “We believe this was a one-time thing, that he made a mistake and was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and we’re confident that it’s not going to happen again.”
As far as talent is concerned, the Indians disagreed with most of the perceived draft experts, feeling as though they got the best player at the spot they were choosing from in Chisenhall, who is described as a below-average fielder with a plus-bat.
“Picking at 29, it’s difficult to know who’s going to be there,” Grant said. “He was the player we felt was the best player at 29. He was the player we were most comfortable with at 29.”

chroniclet.com