Baseball Life 365:  Your family seems to be a big baseball family. Tell us about your first memories of baseball as a child.

Jake Burnette:  I remember playing peewee baseball with some of my oldest friends. I grew up playing with a lot of my friends that I'm still close to. My dad always coached our team, and I have a lot of great memories.

 

BL: At what age did you start to play organized baseball? Were you always a pitcher or did you play other positions?

JB: I started tee ball when I was either 4 or 5 years old. I've always pitched, but I also played other positions. On my travel team growing up,  I was always a utility player.  I played everywhere. In high school I played shortstop and third base. I didn't become just a pitcher until my senior year.

 

BL:  Growing up, who was your favorite MLB player and MLB team?

JB: Growing up in Georgia I was always a big Atlanta Braves fan, but my favorite player was always Derek Jeter. Shortstop was always my favorite position, and he is a great player!



BL: Did you always play youth basketball along with baseball?

JB: Yes I did. I played basketball every winter. I also played football. I played from 4th grade until freshman year when I quit. 

 

BL: When you started high school, did you already have in mind that baseball would be your main sport?

JB: I knew that I loved baseball and basketball, but I knew I was much better at baseball. So high school was when I really started focusing on baseball.

 

BL:  Your high school athletic career at Buford High School in Georgia was quite stellar.  You lettered in basketball and baseball.  You led your basketball team to the State 2-A Basketball Championship game leading the team in 3–point field goals in 2009/2010 and had numerous honors and accolades in baseball. You were Gainesville Times All-Area in 2010 and had a 3-1 record with 31 strikeouts in 25 IP as a junior.  As a senior, you were on fire as you went 8-0, 1.71 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 57 innings and proceeded to lead Buford to the 2011 State (GA) Title.  As a Rawlings Perfect Game Southeast Region player you were also All-High Schools Senior 2nd team to name a few awards.  You also played for the Junior Team Georgia, participated in East Coast and Pro Showcases, and were a Rawlings HM. To you, what was the greatest accomplishment through your high school career?

JB: I would say winning the state championship my senior year in baseball was the greatest.  Five of us seniors had played together since we were about 11, and three of us since we were 8. We all worked very hard and came a long way to win that championship, and it was one of the most amazing feelings I've ever had.



BL:  Who had the greatest influence on you during your high school years and why?

JB: Definitely my brother. He was a great brother to me and taught me a lot. I looked up to him more than he ever knew. His baseball career showed me what was possible, and really gave me the confidence to pursue baseball further. 



BL:  You received a scholarship to Georgia Tech, the team on which your brother had played for only a few years before. Then the draft knocked. The Pirates selected you in the 7th round of the 2011 First Year Player Draft. What were you doing the day you were drafted? How did you find out about the news? How difficult a decision was it to decide on school or the draft and what were some of the thoughts going through your mind?

JB: I was actually at a baseball game. Ironic right? I was playing for the East Cobb Yankees that summer, and we had a game that day. I really wasn't expecting to go that early, I wasn't even sure if I'd get drafted period. So I was just trying to enjoy the game and not think about it. I went and checked my phone before the game started, and I was getting a call from the Pirate's scout. He told me the news, and my dad called right after. It was a very exciting time, but like you said I had a tough decision to make. I loved Georgia Tech's program, and I was excited to go there. I talked to my brother a lot about it since he had gone there and been drafted the year before by the Cleveland Indians. He gave me a lot of pros and cons of college and pro ball, but in the end it came down to what was best for me. It was always my dream to play professional baseball, and I felt like the Pirates gave me the best chance to achieve my dream.

 

BL:  Did you know that the Pirates had interest in you? Were there other teams that you knew of that were also looking at you?

JB: I knew the pirates were interested, and I knew a couple other teams were also interested. The Pirates were one of the most interested teams, but I wasn't sure how much.  I was pretty sure I wasn't going to get drafted that high and that I'd go to Georgia Tech, but things worked out differently and it’s great!

 

BL: How would you describe your first pro-experience in the minor leagues and how was the transition from pitching to high school players vs. pro players?

JB: I was very nervous when I first flew to Florida where our spring training facility is located. I didn't really know what to expect. The first time I got to pitch was one inning in the GCL. I did alright, but it was very intimidating going out there your first time. It was definitely a change going from high school hitters to pro hitters, but I just tried to stick to what I was best at.



BL: How has your pitching style changed over the past year and what have you added to your arsenal of pitches?

JB: My pitching style has changed from more of a trying to impress the scouts, to more of trying to get hitters out. I've really focused on trying to improve my 4 seam fastball, my curveball, and my change up My goal is  to master those three main pitches before I add much more.

 

BL: How have you been training during the off-season?

JB: I have been working out with a weightlifting trainer. I'm trying to put some more weight on. 

 

BL: Where will you start the 2013 season? Will you be back in the New York-Penn League?

JB: I have no idea. I played the New York-Penn league season last year. I'm just focusing on coming to spring training healthy and in great shape!



BL: Do you have any certain quote, verse or life motto that you live by? If so what is it?

JB:  Luke 1:37 "For with God, nothing will be impossible."

 

BL:  What type of music do you like? Who is the most played artist or song on your I-pod?

JB: I love country music. The most played song right now would probably be "How Country Feels" by Randy Houser

 

BL: Do you have any pre-game rituals?

JB: Pretty much just listening to music, and I say a prayer before every inning I pitch.

 

BL: If you could have one super-power, what would it be and why would you choose it?

JB: Flying. I just think it could be so useful sometimes if you could fly anywhere you wanted anytime you wanted.



BL: Do you have any guilty pleasures, collections or obsessions? What are they?

JB:  Well I like to watch a lot of TV, and I may not always watch the most manliest shows HaHa!

 

BL: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What do you want to accomplish?

JB: I'd like to be in the Big Leagues, and I'd like to go on a couple mission trips in the off seasons. 

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BL: How do you want to be remembered? What do you want your legacy to be?

JB: I'd like to be remembered as a good Christian guy that gave everything he had!