Kennett star, Southeast signee Mitchell headed to Cubs

Kennett baseball standout and Southeast Missouri State signee Kevonte Mitchell said Saturday he no longer plans to play in a Redhawks uniform.

The third baseman was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 13th round of the 2014 MLB draft earlier in the afternoon and said he plans to sign with the organization rather than attend Southeast and play baseball for the reigning Ohio Valley Conference regular-season champion Redhawks.

Mitchell was the 379th overall pick of the draft.

"Probably one of the best days of my life," Mitchell said. "We were just sitting at the computer waiting for them to call my name, and when they finally did it was really exciting for me and my team."

He batted .440 for the Kennett Indians as a senior with a .746 slugging percentage. He hit seven doubles, two triples and four home runs along with 33 runs scored and 23 RBIs, and was a first-team all-SEMO Conference selection.

The decision to begin his professional career was not a difficult one for Mitchell.

"I realized going in and starting my professional career it'll help jumpstart me more so I can just go ahead and make my way up to the big leagues," Mitchell said.

He had a chance to talk to Southeast baseball coach Steve Bieser after he was drafted. Bieser congratulated him and said he respected Mitchell's decision.

"He was understanding," Mitchell said. "He knew what all the pros of me doing that was, so he's supported me a whole lot, 100 percent."