USA TODAY Sports-Melina Vastola
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made Jameis Winston the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft just four days ago. The former Florida State quarterback has already signed his rookie contract, and there’s an interesting clause included. Winston is prohibited from playing professional baseball for the duration of the deal.
The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner was a two-sport star at Florida State. Winston was mainly a relief pitcher, but also received some playing time in the outfield during his two-year collegiate baseball career. He obviously didn’t play baseball this season as he prepared for the NFL Draft, but he certainly would have been a high draft pick in the MLB Draft had he pursued that route.
Out of high school, Winston was drafted in the 15th round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros. In 2014, Winston was one of the best closers in the country and finished with a 1.08 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 33.1 innings pitched.
Tampa Bay probably became scared of the possibility of Winston deciding to change sports, or even attempting to play both sports at the same time, because of recent comments made by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson said he hasn’t shut the door on playing baseball and that his appearances the last two years at Texas Rangers’ spring training are not a ploy.
Winston is actually a better baseball prospect than Wilson, so it makes a lot of sense that the Buccaneers would be worried the man they just handed the keys to their franchise to might devote some of his time and energy playing a different sport.
