The two-time defending-champion Kansas City Chiefs are set to meet the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, and plenty of baseball prospects will be keeping a close eye. After all, many current Minor Leaguers played football at a high level before committing fully to the diamond.
No, there aren’t any dual-sports stars like Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders and Brian Jordan. And sadly, A’s 2018 first-round pick Kyler Murray opted for a career as a quarterback rather than blazing the basepaths and roaming the outfield. But a host of other top prospects were well-regarded football recruits who stood out on the gridiron in high school — and some even took the field in college.
Myriad skills cross over between the two seemingly disparate sports. The speed that makes a wide receiver successful can be used on the basepaths and in the field. Arm strength is a key attribute for any quarterback, just as it is for any pitcher or defender across the diamond — and it won’t be surprising how many pitching prospects are former signal-callers.
Multisport athletes are often primed for breakouts once they focus all of their attention on baseball. And historically, athletic pitchers tend to have an easier time repeating their delivery and maximizing their stuff.
There’s a long history of star baseball players choosing America’s pastime over the gridiron, and these prospects could be the next ones to join the Major League ranks. Here’s a quick look at the football careers and statistical highlights for some of these players.
Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers (MLB No. 5)
Jobe led Heritage Hall School (Oklahoma City, Okla.) to a 3A state championship as a sophomore starting quarterback and was efficient in his final year playing as a junior. Across six games, he tossed 14 touchdown passes (and just three picks) in 105 attempts.
Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates (MLB No. 15)
Chandler committed to play both baseball and football at Clemson before agreeing to an over-slot $3 million bonus as a Pirates 2021 third-rounder. A four-star quarterback recruit ranked 200th in the nation (20th among QBs), he earned Region 8 4A Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior at North Oconee (Ga.) High School after passing for 1,842 yards and 18 touchdowns and adding another 548 yards and six scores on the ground.
Cade Horton, RHP, Cubs (MLB No. 52)
Horton planned to walk on to Oklahoma’s football team as a quarterback but ultimately stuck to the baseball field — where he both pitched and played third base. His football career ended with a senior season at Norman (Okla.) High School to remember: 3,084 yards and 26 touchdowns through the air and another 1,149 yards and 15 TDs rushing.
