CHASE HEADLEY

'Chase Headley' is a major league baseball player currently playing for the San Diego Padres. He plays third base, and is a switch-hitter, batting from either the right or left side. Headley is currently the organization's 4th ranked prospect according to Baseball America. He is also known for his mental "makeup" and intensity, being a high school class valedictorian and academic all-American."Daily Dish: July 5" by Chris Kline, July 5, 2006, ''Baseball America"Headley has 'makeup' to be a star", By Amanda Branam / MLB.com, August 31, 2006.

Contents

Academic career

Minor league career

Major League Career

References

Academic career

He was born Chase Jordan Headley on May 9, 1984 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His parents are Kim and Jane Headley, and he has one brother, Nate.
Headley graduated Valedictorian from Fountain-Fort Carson High School in Fountain, Colorado in 2002. He distinguished himself in two sports, receiving four varsity letters in both baseball and basketball. In baseball, he was a three-time Colorado All-State player, and was named to the South Metro All-League team for all four of his seasons. Other high school honors included being named 2002 Player of the Year by the ''Colorado Springs Gazette'', 2002 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year by Rotary International/KRDO-TV, and 2002 Male Athlete of the Year by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was selected to play in the 2002 Colorado Rockies Senior All-Star Game where he hit a home run in his first time at bat. He also played two seasons with the Colorado Rockies Select Scout Team, and in the National Baseball Congress World Series. In basketball, he was named to the All-Conference squad for two seasons."Player Bio: Chase Headley" Official website of the University of Tennessee Volunteers
Headley continued to play baseball in college, playing shortstop for the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, and only transitioning to third base, which would become his primary position, when transferring to the University of Tennessee in 2003. His year at Tennessee was difficult for him, accompanied by meniscus surgery on his knee, and a hamstring injury. However he recovered, earned 62 walks (breaking Todd Helton's 1995 school record), approached the college's single-season mark for on base percentage, and was named the 2004 team Most Valuable Player award. He also did not neglect his studies, becoming an Academic All-American with a 3.63 GPA, majoring in Sports Management. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the First-Year Player Draft in June 2005."Vols' duo on way to Padres system: Headley, Alley both drafted by San Diego", By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com, June 17, 2005

Minor league career

Headley first played professionally with the Eugene Emeralds, where he was described as a team "mainstay","Padres Prospect Interview: Chase Headley", By John Conniff, August 29, 2005, Scout.com then for the Lake Elsinore Storm, where he was called "one of the top prospects in the Padres' organization". "Headley headlining Arizona Fall League", By Benjamin Hill / Special to MLB.com, October 13, 2006 In 2006, he was one of seven representing the Padres on the Arizona Fall League, playing for the Peoria Saguaros."Headley named to AFL 'Rising Star Showcase'", By MadFriars.com, October 24, 2006, Scout.com He was the only one who had not played in Class AA leagues before."Q&A with Padres' Prospect Chase Headley", By Denis Savage, September 19, 2006, Scout.com
The ''San Diego Union-Tribune'' called Headley the Padres' best eventual prospect to fill a third base position, though theorized it would take two years."Farm aid at third base still a couple of years away" By Tom Krasovic, ''San Diego Union-Tribune'', August 7, 2006
Headley says that he tries to use his mental abilities for his physical game to adjust for his weaknesses.

Major League Career

On June 15, 2007 he was called up from AA San Antonio, after hitting .357, and because an injury to the Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. He made his major league debut against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. He hit seventh in the order for San Diego in his first major league contest. His first major league hit came on June 17, 2007. It was a single to center field in the second inning against Rich Hill of the Cubs.

References