With the 29th pick in the 2008 draft Cleveland picks....

Lonnie Chisenhall????????????????????????????????

Well, we were set up for a bunch of guys I liked at this spot (Melville, Odorizzi, Gillaspie, Lynn and DeVall).

Here is a little information on Mr. Chisenhall courtesy of Baseball America. Odd choice for the Indians as he does not meet the image that this organization has said they strive for but this is not the first time a guy with a past has made it past that sniff test that Mark Shapiro instituted a few years ago.

After being drafted out of high school in the 11th round of the 2006 draft, Chisenhall opted to attend South Carolina, where his ability to hit was quickly noticed. He was consistently placed third in a Gamecocks lineup filled with Reese Havens, Justin Smoak and James Darnell and was considered one of the top pure hitters in the country. However, at the beginning of conference play, Chisenhall was arrested and charged with larceny, leading to his immediate dismissal from the team. (He later pleaded guilty to grand larceny and burglary and was sentenced to six months' probation.) He resurfaced at Pitt, where he played this season, but makeup issues from his past still follow him. On the field, Chisenhall has rebuilt his reputation and is considered one of the best hitters in this draft class. He possesses a fluid flat swing and a bat path that stays in the zone, producing consistent line drive contact. His swing is not conducive to above-average power, but Chisenhall does have occasional juice. His defensive position is still a question mark. Offensively, he profiles best at second base, but scouts question whether he has the hands or range to stick in the middle of the diamond. Whichever team drafts him will do so for the belief in his bat and ability to overcome past transgressions.

Couldn't imagine a more odd fit. The kid can hit, that's for sure, but so can Gillaspie. He was BA's 74th ranked prospect and we got him at 29. By studies I have done that show if you are WAY off BA's rating your chances of success with your first round pick go down significantly. So, it is what it is and, to me, it is not good.

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