Take a deep breath, Husky Nation; Shaq Thompson still plans on playing at your school this fall, and for at least a couple other seasons beyond 2012 for good measure.
At least for now that’s the plan.
On signing day this past February, the five-star safety officially became the highest-rated member of a Washington recruiting class that finished the latest cycle ranked as the No. 21 group in the country.
Earlier this month, Thompson, a two-sport star coming out of Sacramento (Calif.) Grant High School, was selected in the 18th round of the Major League baseball draft by the Boston Red Sox. According to the Sacramento Bee, Thompson signed a contract with the Sox on Friday and will report to the club’s Florida spring training facility this weekend.
Following a series of workouts, Thompson will then join the Sox’s Rookie Level Gulf Coast League entry.
In early August, however, and despite the fact that the GCL Red Sox’s season runs through Aug. 25, Thompson is expected to report to the Huskies when they begin camp.
(Tip O’ the Cap: the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta)
(Photo credit: U.S. Army All-American Bowl)
It doesn’t appear as if this kid knows what he wants or what’s really best for him. At this stage in his career, I’m not sure playing both sports will benefit him now or in the long run.
He plays a position that requires him to maintain body strength, speed and power that he won’t develope playing baseball. Who knows, maybe it’s just a summer time hobby. Best of luck to him.
Hmm, seems despite the hatred of the SEC they have the right idea in not allowing someone to compete if they are getting paid for another sport……….
Where would he have been drafted if not playing fball??
Not the first time this has happened – Ricky Williams played a couple of seasons in the Dodgers farm system when he was at Texas. It probably won’t take too long for this kid to realize what Ricky did, playing multiple sports at that level is an almost impossible grind. Have to pick the one you have a brighter future in and move forward.
Okay, and anyone in his corner will say, “Look at Russell Wilson.”
5-star recruits have about a 50% chance of becoming college star and 25% chance of having a productive NFL career (just glancing through old 5-stars at scout.com). The flip side is that he has a greater than 50% chance of being a football dud and might have to fall back on baseball (or dare I say a college education). Can you fault him for keeping his options open at this point? Especially because playing minor league baseball at age 18 will have little impact on his development as a football player.
He’s not on my team, but I don’t think I’m against him by any means. I hope he has a successful career in what ever sport he chooses. I don’t see the comparsion to Russell Wilson though. Russell played a postition that more resembles a baseball player. He could afford to let his upper body strength decrease while he maintained his speed and endurance. And when it was said and done, I’m not sure playing baseball helped RW football career.
Even know he is only 18, I got to believe ST stands a great chance of starting at safety at UW next season. Baseball this summer only stunts his growth and preoccupies his focus.
Hey, I’d love to have his options and be able to play and chose between two sports. I just don’t think baseball is going to help him prepare to be a starter at UW.
Go with baseball. You can have a longer career and if your good you can make more money. Just look at the contracts baseball teams or throwing out to people like A-Rod, Pujols, Carl Crawford, Prince Fielder, etc. Baseball is soooooo boring but it’s a career. Baseball unlike the NFL is where you are more likely to have longevity and play past the age of 30 (depending on what position you play). Good luck in whichever you choose.
Should save the Huskies a schlarship too I believe. Atleast they never used one on Locker after he signed with the Angels.
I agree with #texaninc. Statistically, his chances to earn a living playing a sport are better in baseball. For those who criticize him keeping his options open, take emotions out of it and put yourself in his shoes. You’d do the exact same thing. At 18, all I was interested in was, well, nothing. At least this kid has his head on his shoulders the right way. Let it play out. See what’s best for him.
Hey new Deion sanders? I wanna see a football and baseball player. Go shaq ball out