Ronald Sims 
Mississippi Scouting Director

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The Prep Baseball Report Mississippi scouting staff recently sat down with Clinton first baseman to discuss his recent commitment to Hinds Community College. Below is a transcript of our question and answer session:

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process?
Burchfield: I really didn’t have any expectations going into the process. I felt that if I was good enough to get recruited that it would eventually happen.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision? 
Burchfield: Yes, it was a huge factor in my decision. I wanted my family to be able to come and watch me play as often as possible.

PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
Burchfield: The college first saw me my sophomore year during the playoffs we were playing South Panola. During the game I hit a homerun and they have shown interest ever since.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?
Burchfield: The best player I faced in the state was last year’s Hunter Riggins for Hernando High School. The first time we saw him he sat at 90 mph and controlled every pitch he threw. His mix in pitches and same deliver was tricky for a hitter to pick up.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were an elite player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
Burchfield: I realized I was an elite player when I could play and compete with the best players in my area. I decided to take my game to the next level when I went on a visit to Ole Miss and realized how cool the college atmosphere was and I wanted to play in it one day.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Burchfield: I want a college program that makes you feel like family and produces players to the next level. Hinds produced 11 players to the next level last year and they finished number 1 in the state so that helped me decide.

PBR: What is your best attribute as a baseball player and how does that transfer onto the field for your team?
Burchfield: My best attribute I bring to the team is an attitude always ready to work and compete.  

PBR: What part of your game needs the biggest improvement, why, and what will you do to improve it?
Burchfield: The part of my game that needs improving is realizing that baseball is a game of failure and when failure hits to move on and mix it up.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
Burchfield: Hard work and determination will get you anywhere you want to go on and off the field. School is a very important part in the recruiting process the first question a coach asks is what is your ACT score or what is your GPA.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?
Burchfield: I play football during the summer and fall so I lift weights and run with the football team, but I hit a couple times during the week to keep my swing and throw in the backyard to keep my arm in shape.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Burchfield: The factors that pushed me to commit to Hinds are the family feel, they produce players to the next level, the relationship with the coaching staff, and it being close to my house.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
Burchfield: The colleges on my list were Jones Junior College and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

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