When in Doubt…Draft a Quarterback

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

College baseball is in full swing and so is the high school season in most parts of the country. That means that scouts are busy canvassing the nation to evaluate prospects for this June’s MLB Amateur Draft.

Because scouting continues to be an inexact science with only a small percentage of drafted players ever putting on a Major League uniform, Scouting Departments are always looking for an edge over other organizations. To find the next superstar, maybe they should throw out psychological tests, personality tests and leadership questionnaires and turn instead to a consultant better known for a different draft – Mel Kiper.

Leadership, work ethic and toughness are valuable intangibles normally found in a quality big leaguer. Do you know where else they are usually found? They’re found in quarterbacks. In fact, some of today’s top players have a history as very successful and highly recruited QBs. Listed below is a pretty solid line-up made up of ex- quarterbacks:

Catcher -Joe Mauer
Mauer was the top QB in the country coming out of high school and committed to play for Florida State before signing with the Twins.

First Baseman – Todd Helton
Helton played QB at the University of Tennessee before yielding to Peyton Manning and then concentrating on baseball full-time.

Second Baseman – Mark DeRosa
DeRosa played QB at the University of Pennsylvania and had some NFL free agent interest before settling on baseball as his future.

Shortstop – Alex Rodriguez
Rodriguez committed to play QB at the University of Miami before becoming the first overall pick in the draft and signing with the Mariners as a shortstop.

Third Baseman – Casey Blake
Blake is one of the best high school athletes in Iowa history and turned down QB offers from Iowa, Kansas State and others to play baseball at Wichita State.

Left Fielder –Matt Holliday
Holliday was a highly regarded high school QB who committed to play for Oklahoma State before signing with the Rockies

Center Fielder – Grady Sizemore
Sizemore was a tremendous athlete who committed to play QB for Coach Rick Neuheisel at the University of Washington before signing with the Expos.

Right Fielder – Carl Crawford
Crawford, one of the best option QB’s in the country when he came out of high school, committed to play at the University of Nebraska before signing with the Devil Rays

Starting Pitcher – Scott Kazmir
Kazmir was recruited heavily by the University of Texas as a QB before making baseball his priority.

Closer – Jonathan Papelbon
Papelbon was heavily recruited to play QB in the SEC before settling on baseball as his future at Mississippi State University.

Designated Hitter – Adam Dunn
Dunn’s original contract with the Reds allowed him to attend the University of Texas in the fall to play QB. After falling behind Major Applewhite and Chris Simms on the depth chart, he stayed with baseball full time.

This list doesn’t even mention many of the other quality high school quarterbacks who ultimately chose baseball. MLB All-Stars like Torii Hunter, Jason Giambi, Nate McLouth and Vernon Wells were all accomplished signal callers in their younger years.

With more and more high school athletes concentrating on just one sport year-round, multiple sport athletes are not as prevalent as they once were. The argument of one sport versus multiple sports is a topic for a future blog, but the names listed above seem to make a case for at least continuing to play QB if you have the ability. It appears to me that when baseball tools are combined with the athleticism and make-up necessary to excel at the quarterback position, you have a pretty good chance of finding a special baseball player. Just ask Mel Kiper.



Steve Bernhardt is the Executive VP of Baseball Operations with Baseball Factory. Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt formerly served as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.