NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - Chris Burke recalled Wednesday that the first hat he purchased while at Islip High School on Long Island was a San Diego Padre cap. Burke said he liked the logo.
Now, Burke is hoping to one day wear that cap regularly for the big club after San Diego selected the recent Iona College graduate Wednesday with the seventh pick in the 18th round (555th overall) of the 2012 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Burke, who plays third base, received two calls from the Padres.
"They called me about 10:45 a.m. and told me I was on the top of their board the next few rounds," said the 22-year-old Burke, who graduated last month with a degree in Business Marketing. "They called me back at 1 p.m. and said, 'Welcome to the Padres.'"
Burke, the 24th Iona College player selected in the draft since its inception, said he jumped out of his chair when he received the second call and gave his mom a big hug."It has been my dream to be a major-league player, and to hear my name called is a dream come true," Burke said. "I was trying not to think too much about one team, but I was very anxious to see where I would be going."
Burke is waiting to hear back from the Padres, within the next day or so, as to when and where he will report to begin his professional career.
A four-year starter at Iona, Burke was chosen as the pre-season Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference baseball player of the year. He proved that the pre-season selection was correct as Burke had an outstanding senior season and was named the MAAC baseball player of the year.
Burke hit .351 with 11 home runs and 51 RBI. In 23 MAAC games, Burke batted .409 with five homers and 26 RBIs. Overall, Burke scored 44 runs, amassed 20 doubles, totaled 127 bases, stole 23 bases and finished with a .620 slugging percentage.
Following his senior season, Burke scheduled pre-draft workouts for the Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins. The Padres flew him out to Cincinnati for the workout. Burke felt good about his session."I felt I made a good impression on them and it was up to them," Burke said.
Burke was told that he will be playing third base, which pleased him. However, he said if the Padres move him to another position, he is fine with it.
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