Jeff Driskel did not expect to be selected in this year’s MLB draft because he hasn’t played baseball since high school, but the Red Sox used a 29th-round pick on the University of Florida quarterback anyway.
This isn’t entirely uncommon in the MLB draft. Just last year, the Red Sox took University of Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson in the 18th round and then Arizona State linebacker (and now Dallas Cowboy) Brandon Magee in the 23rd round.
Both players signed with the Red Sox, while only Thompson played in the organization. The Angels did something similar with current Titans quarterback Jake Locker. The organization drafted the then University of Washington quarterback in the 40th round and would retain his rights if he ever decided to ditch football for baseball.
Driskel said on Twitter that he won’t be joining the team, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t sign. He could sign and receive a signing bonus for Boston to have his rights if football doesn’t work out. Driskel played center field in high school.
[tweet https://twitter.com/jeffdriskel/status/343739345536180224 align=center]
Photo via Facebook/Florida Gators from B/R
