20 Best Football Players in Baseball Right Now

1. Jeff Samardzija

ALL-AMERICAN WIDE-RECEIVER AT NOTRE DAME, 3X ALL-STATE

Samardzija was a three-time All-State and Indiana’s Mr. Football runner up in high school. At Notre Dame, he was a star receiver, earning Consensus All-american honors in 2005. He was on Mel Kipper’s top 10 on his big board for the NFL draft. He was the team Co-MVP with Brady Quinn in 2005, and when he graduated, he owned Notre Dame’s record for single season catches (77), yards (1,249), receiving TD’s (12), and TD’s (15) and career TD’s (27) and receiving yards (2,539). He’s still the all-time leader in career receptions at the school (179). A two-time finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff trophy, Samardzija originally planned on playing in the MLB and NFL.

2. Joe Mauer

USA TODAY, GATORADE, PARADE NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Mauer was considered the number one baseball prospect and number one football prospect in the country his senior year, winning the Gatorade, USA Today, and Parade National Player of the Year awards in both sports. A Reebok/ESPN All-American, he set a state record with 41 touchdown passes as a senior, and led his team to two consecutive Class 5A Championships and one state title. In his two years as a starter, he threw for over 5,500 yards and 73 touchdowns. The Wendy’s High School Heisman recipient committed to play at Florida State over Minnesota, Arizona, and Miami.

3. Matt Szczur

FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN AT VILLANOVA

Szczur was a captain and two-time Gazette Leader player of the year in high school. At Villanova, he was an NFL draft prospect, earning second-team All-CAA offers as a freshman and consensus first-team All-American honors as a sophomore, also garnering CAA Offensive Player of the Year, CAA Special Teams Player of the Year, First-team All-CAA performer, and MVP of the national championship game honors.He is the only player in D1 (FBS or FCS) to register a touchdown as a receiver, rusher, passer, and kick returner. He logged 1,803 career rushing yards (17 TD’s), 1,486 receiving yards (11 TD’s), 1,690 kickoff return yards (2 TD’s), and 206 passing yards (5 TD’s). He ranks 11th in school history in career rushing yards and most points, 14th in career receiving yards, and 5th in career TD’s.

4. Matt Holliday

ALL-AMERICAN QUARTERBACK IN HIGH SCHOOL

Holliday was an All-American quarterback in high school. Former Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Jimmy Johnson forecasted Holliday as “couldn’t miss”. He had 6,211 career passing yards and 68 touchdowns. He was Oklahoma’s All-State Offensive and Gatorade State Player of the Year. Considered one of the top three quarterback recruits in the nation, his 35 TD passes junior year set a then-record in the state. After seemingly endless football offers, he committed to play at Oklahoma State.

5. Kyle Parker

#34 PLAYER IN NATION; FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAN AT CLEMSON

Parker was ranked #34 in the nation and the #4 signal caller by ESPN. An Under Armour All-American, Parker threw for 1,850 yards and rushed for 700 more, scoring a total of 27 TD’s, during his junior campaign. He was the starting quarterback for Clemson in 2010 and 2011, setting team freshman records for completions, passing yards, and TD’s, earning second-team Freshman All-American (College Football News) and first-team Freshman All-ACC (Sporting News) honors.

6. Desmond Jennings

ALL-AMERICAN AT ITAWAMBA CC

Jennings, the cousin of offensive lineman Andre Smith, was a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, being called “one of the best football players in the state of Alabama, period”. His senior year, he rushed for 1,334 yards with 22 touchdowns and completed 139 of 215 passes for another 1,701 yards and 19 touchdowns. A two-time All-state honorable mention, Jennings made first-team All-State in 2004. That year, he was also named 2004 5A Back of the Year, 2004 All-American by PrepNation, and was runner up for Mr. Football. He signed with Alabama, but didn’t qualify academically, so he played at Itawamba Community College. He netted 848 yards and six touchdowns in eight games, leading all Junior College receivers with 54 receptions and earning All-American honors.

7. Matt Tuiasosopo

#16 PLAYER

A can’t-miss, five-star recruit at Rivals, Tuiasosopo was pegged as the #2 quarterback in the country and #16 player. A participant in the US Army All-American Bowl, he signed a letter of intent to play at Washington, turning down offers from UCLA, Washington State, USC, Stanford, and Nebraska.

8. Jarred Mitchell

#97 PLAYER; ONE OF TWO PLAYERS TO WIN BCS CHAM. AND COLLEGE WS

Mitchell was considered Louisiana’s top receiving prospect out of high school, even though he primarily played quarterback for Westgate. He led them to the Class 5A quarterfinals, and was named to Tigerbait.com Louisiana Top 20, Baton Rogue Advocate Super Dozen, New Orleans Times-Picayune Top 16 Blue-Chip List, Mobile Register Super Southeast 120, and Orlando Sentinel All-Southern Team. He was the Class 5A offensive MP in 2005 after passing for 1,120 yards and ten touchdowns and rushing for 834 yards and twelve touchdowns. The year before, he accounted for well over 2,500 total yards as a junior. Rivals.com pegged him as the #10 receiver in the nation, #97 overall player in the nation, and #3 player in Louisiana. He continued playing at LSU, where he became one of two players in history to win the College World Series and BCS championship. He chose LSU over Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Stanford.

9. Clayton Richard

#71 PLAYER

Indiana’s Mr. Football, Richard was a four-star recruit ranked #1 in his state, #4 at quarterback, and #71 in the nation. He chose Michigan over offers from Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Northwestern, Purdue, and UCLA. He served as a backup quarterback on Michigan’s football team.

10. Adam Dunn

TOP THREE QB’S IN NATION

Some experts saw Dunn among the top three quarterbacks in high school, throwing for 44 touchdowns and nearly 5,000 yards. He visited Texas A&M and Notre Dame, and was also recruited by Tennessee. After being signed by the Reds, he also played for the University of Texas at Austin, redshirting his freshman year, and eventually leaving after being asked to move positions.

11. Scott Carroll

STARTING QB AT MISSOURI

The brother of a Kansas State player, Carroll was All-State, All-Metro, All-District, and All-Conference in high school. In his junior and senior years, he combined to throw for nearly 3,200 yards with 29 touchdowns. SuperPrep had him as the #23 signal caller in the country while Rivals put him at #30. He played at Purdue before transferring to Missouri State, becoming their starting quarterback. At Missouri, he passed for 1,425 yards with seven touchdowns and a 60.4% completion rate, earning a QB rating of 124.8.

12. Donovan Tate

#83 PLAYER IN NATION

Tate, once a top prospect, is looking like another bust, sitting out this year with an injury. But he was a damn good football player. A four star recruit at Rivals, he was ranked the #5 quarterback in the nation and #83 overall player. His senior year, he completed 68 of 117 passes for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns in just six games at quarterback. He also rushed for three more TD’s, made ten catches for 223 yards, and played multiple positions on defense, intercepting three balls and making 43 tackles. The two-sport All-American committed to play football at North Carolina.

13. Bubba Starling

#119 PLAYER IN NATION; US ARMY ALL-AMERICAN

Starling was the #2 player in Kansas, #6 athlete in the nation, and #119 player in the nation by Rivals.com. Scout.com and ESPN also ranked him among their top ten Quarterbacks. A first-team Class 5A All-State pick, he was the Kansas City Star’s All-metro Team Offensive captain, SuperPrep Magazine Midlands Region Offensive Player of the Year, and participated in the US Army All-American game in San Antonio. During his three seasons as starter, he led the team to a 33-4 record, accounting for over 8,100  yards and 97 touchdowns. He received offers from an abundance of schools (Alabama, Arizona, Baylor, Kansas St, Louisville, Miami, Kansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Notre Dame), but ultimately committed to play at Nebraska.

14. Zach Lee

SUPERPREP ALL-AMERICAN; 80 GRADE PROSPECT

Lee was the number 9 signal caller in the country according to Rivals.com and ESPN. He was a four star (Rivals) and 80 grade (ESPN) prospect and SuperPrep All-American. In his senior and junior campaigns, he passed for over 5,250 yards and rushed for over 650 while scoring 48 TD’s (with just 6 interceptions). He also had 14 punts with a 34.7 yard average. He was highly recruited, and committed to LSU, turning down offers from Nebraska, Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Ole Miss, and Texas Tech.

15. Archie Bradley

#19 QB IN NATION BY ESPN

Bradley was ranked the third best in his state and #13 pro-style QB in the nation (247sports.com). A 79 grade prospect by ESPN, they ranked him as the #19 QB in the country. He committed to play at the University of Oklahoma after also looking at UCLA, Tulsa, OK State, Texas Tech, and Houston.

16. Casey Kelly

#17 QB IN NATION BY RIVALS

A two-time regional player of the year at quarterback in high school, Kelly was a 78 grade prospect by ESPN, who pegged him as the #31 quarterback in the nation. He was a three-star recruit at Rivals.com, who called him the #17 signal-caller in the nation. Kelly committed to play at Tennessee over offers from Arizona State, Duke, NC State, Northern Colorado, Oregon, and West Virginia.

17. Domonic Brown

77 GRADE AT ESPN

Domonic Brown received a 77 grade by ESPN and three star rating by Rivals. He was the #43 receiver in the nation and #23 player in the state, according to ESPN. He committed to play at Miami, also receiving offers from Florida State, NC State, and South Florida.

18. Grady Sizemore

COMMITTED TO PLAY AT WASHINGTON

Sizemore left his high school as the all-time leader in rushing yards (3,081) and interceptions (16) as well as the greatest quarterback in the school’s history. He was first-team WesCo 4A as a running back and defensive back. After being recruited by Cal, ASU, Washington State, Clemson, and UC-Berkley, he signed a LOT to play for Washington.

19. Carl Crawford

COMMITTED TO PLAY AT NEBRASKA

Crawford was all-state in high school, and signed a letter of intent to quarterback at Nebraska, turning down recruiting attempts from Oklahoma, USC, Florida, and Tulsa.

20. Dan Klein

#30 QB IN NATION BY RIVALS

One of Baltimore’s top pitching prospects, Klein was a 73 grade (ESPN) and  three-star recruit and ranked the #30 quarterback in the country (Rivals). A three year varsity starter, his senior year he completed 111 of 171 passes (65%) for 1,496 yards and 12 touchdowns. As a junior, he had a 62% completion rate, throwing for 2,005 yards and 16 touchdowns. As a sophomore, he threw for 1,860 yards. An All-Series League and two-time Sierra League Offensive MVP, Klein turned down several offers to play football at Pac-10 schools.

JUST MISSED: Billy Hamilton, Will Middlebrooks, Sonny Gray, Marc Krauss, Kyle Kendrick, Brandon Phillips, Alex Gordon, Gordon Beckham, Nick Swisher, CC Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Brandon Guyer, Eric Young Jr., Neil Walker, Andrew McCutchen, Jace Peterson, Seth Smith, Perci Garner, Tyrell Jenkins, Jason Kipnis

Billy Hamilton -

CC Sabathia - 

All-MLB Basketball Teams

Most baseball players are excellent athletes. I've spent a lot of time researching every player currently on a 40 man roster (that's 1,200 players), as well as minor leaguers, coaches, managers, and retired players. These two-sport or multi-sport athletes are incredibly impressive! Here are the best basketball players in the MLB right now!

* = player's picture is below

FIRST TEAM

C Chris Young* (first-team All-Ivy in baseball and basketball)

SF Lane Adams (planned to attend Michigan on basketball only scholarship)

PF Luke Hochevar (All-State honors, 22.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 7.6 BPG senior year)

SG Will Venable (first-team All-Ivy in baseball and basketball)

PG Austin Jackson (#68 player in graduating class, Rivals.com)

SECOND TEAM

C CC Sabathia (standout basketball player, scholarships to play football)

SF Jacoby Ellsbury (practiced with Oregon’s basketball team)

PF Jeff Samardzija (All-State basketball player, All-American WR at Notre Dame)

SG Joe Mauer* (two-time All-State, averaging 20 PPG, “defensive specialist”)

PG Carl Crawford (scholarship to play for UCLA)

THIRD TEAM

C Giancarlo Stanton (all-conference football and basketball player)

SF Curtis Granderson (walked on to University of Illinois-Chicago’s team)

PF Aaron Altherr* (several D1 offers)

SG Ed Lucas (played first year at Dartmouth)

PG Dee Gordon (scholarship to play for Louisville)

FOURTH TEAM

C David Price (highly decorated basketball player)

SF Mike Adams (All-State, played at Texas A&M - Kingsville)

PF Matt Kemp (recruited by Oklahoma)

SG Mike Trout* (all-conference)

PG Billy Hamilton (All-State in three sports, 35 PPG, 5 SPG, top 10 in state)

FIFTH TEAM

C Anthony Ranaudo (1,300+ points, 800+ rebounds, team captain)

SF Jared Burton (All-State, 2x All-Conference)

PF Ryan Wheeler (3x All-Pioneer selection)

SG Clint Barmes (played baseball and basketball at Olney Central College)

PG Jace Peterson (All-State in baseball, football, baseball)

SIXTH TEAM

C Doug Fister (first-team All-Conference)

SF JA Happ (2x first-team All-Area, All-Conference)

PF Jared Burton (All-State, 2x All-Conference)

SG Eric Stults (played two years at NAIA Bethel College)

PG Patrick Corbin (broke three point record at school, played at JuCo)

SEVENTH TEAM

C Darin Ruf (All-Conference, All-Area in baseball, basketball, football)

SF Chase Headley (2x All-Conference)

PF Jordan Danks (All-Conference, son of NBA player)

SG Jason Castro (First-team All-HAAL, led league in 3pt shooting)

PG Derek Jeter* (All-state)

EIGHTH TEAM

C Brad Brach (second-team All-District, 147 rebounds)

SF Nick Ahmed* (Massachusetts All-star, All-Western first-team)

PF Ross Ohlendorf (almost played baseball and basketball at Princeton)

SG Zack Cozart (All-Metro, led league in 3pters)

PG Jordan Pacheco (All-District, All-Metro, All-State)

Most Exciting Baseball Lineup Right Now

The other weekend, I had the chance to watch the Red Sox face the Royals at Fenway Park. While watching, it got me thinking - if I could pick an eleven person team (including a DH, starter, and reliever) of players in today's game that I would pay the most to see? Here it is:

C: Yadier Molina
I love defense, and nobody plays better defense behind the plate than Yadi. Molina, although he doesn't qualify this year, leads catchers in CS% (min. 50 games played), and he finished first or second in 2010, 2012, and 2013. The six-time reigning Gold Glove can also hit, too. From 2011-2013, he hit .313, averaging 74 runs, 41 doubles, 19 home runs, 87 RBI, and 8 stolen bases per 162 games.

1B: Jose Abreu
Surprisingly, I didn't see many options for exciting first basemen, but Abreu is my pick. The Cuban defect is leading the American League in home runs and the MLB in slugging. He hits some monster shots, and among players with at least seven at-bats with bases loaded this year, he's got the best average (.571, including one grand slam and 11 RBI). 

2B: Jose Iglesias
Although he's really a shortstop, I had to have Iglesias on this roster. As a Red Sox fan, I was a huge follower of him coming up through the minors, and I hated to see him go. Iglesias is not much of a hitter, and probably never will be, but he's one of the best defensive players in the game right now. If you haven't seen this ridiculous play to nail Josh Phegley last year, you need to get on that right now.

Or just watch this highlight reel of his plays. Remember, he's only been in the league for a year or so. Making an over the shoulder grab in short left and nearly doubling up Jacoby Ellsbury (of all players, especially considering he was only half way to third and heading back to second when it was caught) or making an over the shoulder grab in short left from second base. 

Or look at this hilarious moment where he "keeps Cespedes on his feet" at second.

SS: Derek Jeter
There were a lot of options at short, and at 40 years old, Derek Jeter might not be a popular pick, but I would love to watch him play. Nobody hates Jeter. I'm a diehard Red Sox fan, and even guys like Mariano - I didn't hate him, but I didn't really like him either. But I love Jeter. I wish he played for my team. Every fan in baseball does. He's been the center of attention for years, but he's never said the wrong thing. He has talent, but he plays the game the way it's supposed to be played. You've never seen him show somebody up or not run out a ground ball, despite being one of the biggest stars in the game. It would be an honor to see this future Hall of Famer play. 

3B: Miguel Cabrera
Whether Miggy or Trout is the best overall player in baseball is debatable, but there’s no question at all who the best hitter is. Cabrera, the two-time reigning AL MVP, has received votes for his league’s most valuable player in all eleven of his seasons. A big boy at 6’4”, 240 pounds, Miggy is the three-time reigning batting champion in the American League. During that period, he also hit 114 doubles, 118 homeruns, and drove home 389 runs while scoring 323. In 2012, he won the triple crown - the first time by a position player since Yastrzemski 45 years before. Most said it would never happen again because of today’s specialized players, but Cabrera proved them wrong. It’s no surprise that he’s finished in the top three for intentional walks in each of the past five seasons, compiling at least 14 each year. Miggy is the most dangerous and feared hitter in the game, and it’s fun to watch him abuse opposing pitchers.

OF: Billy Hamilton

In an April game this year, Hamilton tripled in his first at-bat. In the 5th inning, he singled, stole second, tagged to third on a shallow fly ball in right field, and then scored by tagging on an even shorter ball, one the second baseman was going to catch until the right fielder called him off. Later in the 9th inning, Hamilton laid down a bunt single, stole second, and then scored on a single to right. That video is below. In 2011, he stole 103 bases and hit 9 triples in 135 games. In 2012, he stole a professional baseball record 155 bases and hit 14 triples in 132 games. Last year, he stole 75 bases in 123 games. From 2013-2014, among players with at least 100 balls hit in the infield, Hamilton has the best batting average - .205. Think about that. More than 1 in every 5 balls hit to the infield become a single for him. The guy is straight up one of the fastest men to ever play the game.

OF: Mike Trout

Trout, a 23 year old stud for the Angels, has far surpassed expectations. The outfielder is leading the league in WAR for the third straight season. Trout is the truest 5 tool player in the MLB right now, by far. He had an insane rookie season, finishing second in MVP voting with a .326 average, 27 doubles, 8 triples, 30 home runs, and an MLB-leading 49 stolen bases and 129 runs scored. Trout is fast. A first base coach legged him running out a bunt single from the right side of the plate in 3.53 seconds - that’s off the charts for a righty. Legend has it a young Mickey Mantle had a similar home to first time. Last season, Trout compiled 34 infield hits, not including bunts. While playing minor league ball in 2009, he scored from first on a routine single to right. He steals bases at an 89% success rate - the highest by any player in the history of major league baseball. Trout’s fielding is also top of the line. Tune in to SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays - you’ll probably see a Trout play. He’s made some of greatest home run robberies of all-time - just look up “Trout robs home run from” Cespedes, Olivo, Hardy, Fielder, or Beckham. His arm isn’t bad either - he has six career assists and two double plays from the outfield. His contact rate is obvious looking at his stats - a .307 career average with only 438 strikeouts in 454 games. His power is unbelievable. A perennial 30-30 threat. This year, Trout has the farthest home run in baseball at 489 feet. Last year, he had the longest average home run at 419.6 feet. As if you needed more of a reason, Trout also plays the game full-throttle. He’s probably the most exciting player currently in the game.

OF: Yasiel Puig
Puig is a natural showman. He brings charisma, entertainment, and excitement to every game he plays. He's a five-tool player, with a ton of power and good speed. His most exciting asset is probably his arm. A lot of runners have learned their lesson this year: you just don't run on Yasiel Puig. The Cuban defect has an absolute cannon - leading the National League with nine assists this year. Puig's talent and arrogance can get him in trouble sometimes - with his own team and opposing players, but there's no arguing he's got a ton of talent and is a blast to watch. 

DH: Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton is a monster. When he’s  healthy, he’s the best home run hitter in baseball. In 2011, he finished second in the NL for AB/HR, led in 2012, finished fourth in 2013, and is currently leading the MLB in home runs in 2014. The 24 year old is a 6’6”, 240 pound monster made of complete muscle, a former football standout (offers to play at UCLA and UNLV). In 2011, he had the 2nd longest average home run at 416.6 feet. In 2012, he hit a 494 foot shot, the longest of the season and the longest in the MLB since 2009. He’s currently leading the MLB for average distance for the 2014 season. In 2012, Stanton also hit a 462 foot grand slam that left his bat at 122.4 MPH, the fastest ever recorded since ESPN began tracking in 2006. The slam was the first one Jamie Moyer had given up since 2004 and momentarily knocked out some scoreboard panels. This year, he has five of the Top 20 longest home runs. Nobody else has more than one. Check out his home run in this year’s derby that had his fellow All-Stars in awe - a ball that traveled two-thirds of the way into the upper deck that would have went an estimated 510 feet had the stands not been there.

SP: Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball. Without an argument. Kershaw is making baseball history on the mound. He’s on a different level. Among starters with 1,000 innings pitched in the live ball era (since 1920), Kershaw has the lowest career earned run average. Between 2011 and 2013, Kershaw went 51-23 with a 2.21 earned run average and 0.971 WHIP. He averaged 236 strikeouts a season, and led the NL in WHIP and the entire MLB in ERA all three seasons. This season, he’s posted a 1.86 ERA and 0.839 WHIP, striking out 174 in 145.1 innings pitched for a ridiculous 10.8 K/9 ratio. Kershaw’s curveball is one of the best ever, as is his fastball (see last article), and it’s a blast to see him completely embarrass batters. Check out this NASTY curve.

RP: Aroldis Chapman
Like stated in the last article, Chapman's fastball is insane. He averages triple digits with it this year. The three-time consecutive All-Star has a career 2.47 earned run average and 1.004 WHIP. You won't see many home runs from the opposing team - he's allowed just one in over 38 innings this year, but you will see a ton of strikeouts. He's struck out 74 batters for a 17.4 K/9 ratio. Among pitchers with 30 innings pitched in a season, that's the highest in the history of baseball. Second place is nearly a strikeout less (16.66). Although all the formerly stated velocity statistics are official, here's a video of Chapman posting the fastest unofficial pitch, at 106 MPH. Naturally, he followed it with 103 MPH and 101 MPH pitches.