Kingsburg's Jensen Hirschkorn heads to Florida after record Braves signing

KINGSBURG, Calif. (KFSN) -- Jensen Hirschkorn is making history before making his professional debut.

The Atlanta Braves signed the Kingsburg native to a $4 million bonus, a Major League Baseball draft record for a third-round pick.

RELATED: Kingsburg High School's Jensen Hirschkorn signs record deal with Atlanta Braves, report says

Hirschkorn recalled the moment he learned the Braves planned to select him.

“Once [the Braves] told me that that was the plan, that they were going to take me, that's when it hit me. It was pretty surreal. I was at a loss for words," Jensen said. "I mean the day before the draft is kinda when they started really going after me. They really liked me as a human being, so that's what really opened my mind with them.”

The 6'7" pitcher began drawing increased attention during his junior year while appearing in major summer showcases.

By the start of his senior season, MLB scouts were calling Kingsburg High School to ask about Hirschkorn’s pitching schedule. When he took the mound, scouts with radar guns were often in attendance.

RELATED: Kingsburg High pitcher committed to LSU with eyes on MLB

His father, Fresno Pacific baseball's head coach Oscar Hirschkorn, said Jensen’s demeanor stood out throughout the scouting process.

“He carried himself kind of not cocky but very calm, very stoic. The scouts asked about his demeanor quite a bit during this process. He was always that way. He was out there just being himself. When he was 5 years old, he carried himself the same way,” Oscar said.

Jensen said he plans to remain grounded as his baseball career advances.

“You know, represent Kingsburg as I go through this journey. Just not getting a big head over myself. Keeping things simple and staying with my roots,” he said.

Jensen is scheduled to leave for Florida on Saturday, where he will join the Braves’ Florida Complex League and spring training facilities.

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