Two-Minute Drill with Chris Hanna

Chris, the Hickory series with the RiverDogs this week was your first time to play as a pro in front of the hometown fans. What was that like for you?

“It’s actually a blessing, to be able to play in front of a lot of people I grew up with. I’ve had a few people coming out, my parents obviously and some of their friends. And then some people I went to school at Stratford with, so it’s been a lot of fun. The first game of the series, I was able to get in and pitch and I did pretty well. I got a groundout and two strikeouts.”

How would you rate your pro career so far? Are you happy with our progress since you were drafted in 2010?

“Yes sir, it’s gone really well so far. Just like everybody else here, I’ve got to take it day by day. You have to realize that even though it’s a game, it’s a business as well. You can’t take anything for granted. You have to go out every day and work hard.”

What are your goals for this season? What are you working on this year?”

“Right now, I’m in the bullpen, but my goal by the end of the year is to be a starter. It’s where I’m comfortable, it’s what I’ve done all my life and it’s where I want to be. To be one of the five guys in that starting rotation, that’s pretty important and that’s my goal.”

Coming out of Stratford High School, you had committed to The Citadel before you were drafted and turned pro. Any second thoughts about not going to college to play ball?

“No sir. Everybody has their second thoughts when they come out of high school and go into pro ball. You think, what if I had gone to college? But either way, I’m enjoying my life. I get to come out every day and play ball, so there’s really no worries about it.”

What’s life like as a minor-leaguer?

“It has its ups and downs, but more ups than anything. A lot of travel, you get to see different places and different people. I’ve met people from different countries, so I’ve really enjoyed it. I like Hickory. There’s not too much to do there, but we find our time to have fun there. We don’t get much down time, but I like to relax with friends when we do get some. Maybe go out on the water and just relax.”

What’s been the high point of your career so far?

“I’d say it was my first year in rookie ball. I really came out and did well and I think I opened some eyes. I showed people what I could do in pro ball as an 18-year-old kid, and I’ve tried to build on that ever since.”

Compiled by Jeff Hartsell