It has been said that the hardest thing to do in the world of sports is to hit a baseball. Hitting a round ball with a round bat while the ball is being thrown at you at over 90 miles per hour is no easy sport. But many of the athletes who achieved stardom in other sports were excellent baseball players. So well, they caught the eyes of major league scouts and were drafted in the MLB Draft. This list includes QBs who can also light the radar gun, RBs and WRs who can also fly on the diamond, and some hoops that can hit.
While baseball has always been deeply ingrained in American culture, it has also served as a springboard for many athletes who have found success in other sports. These athletes, who were drafted by Major League Baseball teams, have gone on to achieve greatness in their fields. Here are some of the notable athletes who made a name for themselves in other sports after being drafted, along with some honorable mentions.
To be clear, this list does not include actual sports stars like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders.
NBA players are drafted by MLB clubs
Danny Aing, 2B/OF
By: Blue Jays, Fifteenth Inning, 1977
Danny Ange, known for his successful football career as a player and later as a front office executive, has also had a notable journey in professional baseball. Ainge’s baseball journey began when he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifteenth round of the 1977 MLB amateur draft. Coming out of North Eugene High School in Eugene, Oregon, Ainge was highly regarded as a baseball player and showed promise on the outfield.
Ainge’s talent for baseball was evident as he progressed quickly through the minor league system. In 1978, just a year after being drafted, he began his career at the Triple-A level. The following year, in 1979, Ainge made his major league debut with the Blue Jays and had a stellar first game, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI. Ainge eventually played in 211 big league games over three seasons.
At one point, he was the youngest Blue Jay to ever hit an MLB home run until Vlad Guerrero Jr. broke that record just four years earlier.
Throughout his career, Ainge faced the challenge of balancing his baseball commitments with his professional basketball career at Brigham Young University (BYU). Ainge’s true passion and focus began to show when he excelled on the basketball court. As he continued to play baseball and switch between the Blue Jays and their Triple-A team in Syracuse, it became clear that basketball was where his future lay.
Dale Curry, RHP
Written by: Orioles, Fourteenth Inning, 1985
Dale Curry, best known as an NBA sniper and the father of NBA star Steve Curry, had a multifaceted sports career that extended beyond basketball. Before becoming an accomplished hardwoods catcher, Dell Curry was also a former pitcher and caught the eye of the Baltimore Orioles with his skills on the mound.
During his career, Dell Curry had the opportunity to showcase his talent in baseball when he played alongside fellow Charlotte Hornets teammate Muggsy Bogues. Both took part in a Minor League game of the Hornets and Texas Rangers, owned by George Shinn, in Gastonia, North Carolina.
1991 Classic Best Gastonia Rangers Dell Curry & Muggsy Bogues minor league baseball cards pic.twitter.com/dEFoum6q0g
– Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) January 17, 2015
Scott Burrell, RHP
By: Mariners, First Round (#26), 1989
Scott Burrell, better known as Michael Jordan’s former Chicago Bulls teammate, captured attention in ESPN’s “The Last Dance” documentary, which introduced him to a new generation of sports fans. However, fans who have been following the sport for a while may remember Burrell as a highly sought after multi-sport athlete.
Burrell’s athletic prowess was evident during his college career at the University of Connecticut. He excelled not only in basketball but also in baseball. Burrell made history by becoming the first athlete to be selected in the first round from two different major sports drafts.
In 1993, Burrell was selected in the first round of the NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets as the 20th overall pick. Soon after, he was also selected in the first round of the MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners as the 26th overall pick. The dual achievement of Burrell in both basketball and baseball is his exceptional skill and versatility as an athlete.
Charlie Ward, SS
By: Yankees, 18th inning, 1994
Charlie Ward always seems to be left out of the list of the best athletes of all time, but his resume is ridiculous. Known for his Heisman-winning football career at Florida State University and his time as starting guard for the NBA’s New York Knicks, Ward possessed athletic abilities that extended beyond the football field and the basketball court. Despite not playing baseball during his college years, Ward’s remarkable talent during his high school days convinced both the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees to recruit him, holding out the hope that he would pursue a career in baseball.
In the 18th round of the 1992 MLB draft, the Atlanta Braves selected Ward as a possible prospect. However, Ward chose to focus on his football career at Florida State University, where he achieved great success and eventually won the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 1993.
Although Ward’s baseball career seemed unlikely, the New York Yankees still took a chance in the 1994 MLB Draft, selecting him in the eighteenth round as well. The Yankees were willing to invest a draft in Ward, hoping that he might change his mind and decide to pursue a career in baseball.
I didn’t know about the baseball part of the Charlie Ward story. Almost had brewers too 👀 https://t.co/PSRNS2Mtjh
– Ben Sigwart (@sig_50) October 13, 2022
Kevin Johnson, SS
Written by: Athletics, Round 23, 1986
Known for his successful career as a point guard in the NBA and later as the mayor of Sacramento, Kevin Johnson has shown his athletic prowess not only on the basketball court but also on the baseball diamond. Johnson excelled in both baseball and basketball during his high school days and even had a short stint playing baseball at UC Berkeley.
In the 23rd round of the 1986 MLB draft, the Oakland Athletics selected Johnson as a shortstop, recognizing his talent and potential in baseball. Johnson’s diamond catching skills earned him a spot on the Modesto A-Team, where he played in two games.
NFL players were drafted by MLB clubs
Tom Brady, C
Drafted by: Expos, 18th Round, 1995
Widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in football history, Tom Brady had the potential for a different career path in baseball as a solid catcher. This intriguing possibility was seen by former general manager of the Montreal Expos, Kevin Malone, who believed that Brady had the potential to become the greatest player ever in the world of baseball.
During his high school days in California, Brady excelled not only in football but also in baseball. A talented catcher, he showed off his skills on the diamond and caught the attention of scouts. His abilities as a power hitter and his all-around athletic prowess made him a promising placekicker.
Kevin Malone, known for his role as general manager of the Expos in the late 1990s, saw Brady’s potential as a baseball player. Malone believes that Brady has the tools to become an exceptional catcher, and his power hitting abilities could have made a huge impact in the game.
However, Brady’s passion and talent for football ultimately guided his career decisions. He chose to focus on football and pursued a college career at the University of Michigan, where he established himself as a successful quarterback. Brady’s football journey continued in the NFL, where he achieved unparalleled success, winning multiple Super Bowl championships and setting numerous records throughout his illustrious career.
Tom Brady should only play baseball in the off-season @tom brady (via @tweet) pic.twitter.com/S5fcN1oOVC
– Barstoolsports April 3, 2019
Russell Wilson, 2b
Written by: The Rockies, Fourth Round, 2010
A star quarterback for the Denver Broncos, Russell Wilson has always had a passion for baseball, even as he has had a successful career in football. The Baltimore Orioles initially pulled Wilson out of high school, recognizing his talent on the diamond. He was also drafted by the Colorado Rockies prior to his redshirt freshman season at North Carolina State University, where he showed potential as a track athlete.
Although primarily focused on football, Wilson’s love of baseball never waned. During his college football seasons, he devoted time to playing in the Rocky Minor League System, showcasing his skills on the baseball field. This showed his versatility and athleticism in many sports.
Even after establishing himself as a star in the NFL, Wilson continued to show his commitment to baseball. He attended spring training with both the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, the team he had been like growing up. His desire to be involved in the world of baseball highlights his lifelong passion for the sport.
Russell Wilson had to stick to baseball pic.twitter.com/znQHGFlW3Q
– ZT🗽 (@NY_EvilEmpire) February 7, 2023
Keller Murray, OF
By: Athletics, Round 1 (9th overall), 2018
Kyler Murray is the highest rated MLB draft pick on this list, and boy can he play. Murray’s exceptional athletic abilities did not go unnoticed in the baseball world. The Oakland Athletics drafted Murray before he began his successful basketball career that led him to win the Heisman Trophy at the University of Oklahoma and become the first overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
Despite his accomplishments in football, Murray’s rights to baseball were retained by the A’s. This means that if Murray decides to pursue a career in baseball, the friends will have the opportunity to sign him and add him to their roster.
Murray’s dual status as a highly regarded football player and potential baseball talent is a testament to his athleticism and versatility. He joins the ranks of a few select athletes, like Scott Burrell, who have been selected in the first round in several major North American sports.
Here are the highlights of Kyler Murray hitting a baseball for no reason.pic.twitter.com/sUmdhs2D5D
Covers June 7, 2023
John Elway, a
By: Yankees, Second Inning, 1981
John Elway, one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, had an interesting start to his professional sports career. Not only was he a very popular football player, but he was also a talented baseball player. In 1981, Elway was drafted by the New York Yankees in the second round of the Major League Baseball Draft, ahead of future Hall of Famer Tony Gwenn.
Elway’s baseball potential was recognized by the Yankees, and they offered him a large signing bonus, higher than the one given to Mike Moore, who was selected as the first overall pick in the same draft. Elway decided to try professional baseball and played one season in the Yankees’ minor league system with the Class A Oneonta team. During that season, he showed his skills, hitting an impressive . 318 with a . 432 on-base percentage and a . 464 slugging percentage.
However, Elway’s desire to pursue a career in football was strong, and he used his baseball influence to engineer a trade from the Baltimore Colts to the NFL’s Denver Broncos. Elway’s insistence on playing for a team of his choosing led to the historic trade that set him on the path to football greatness.
Dan Marino, RHP
Written by: Royals, Fourth Round, 1979