Latest news with #twoWayPlayer
Fox News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter's college GPA resurfaces after preseason opener
Travis Hunter is aiming to add his name to the incredibly short list of two-way NFL athletes. While the 22-year-old's on-field prowess is undeniable, Hunter is also making headlines for his talent in the classroom. Hunter finished his NFL preseason debut with two receptions. He also took some snaps on the defensive side of the ball. But after the Pittsburgh Steelers' 31-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, much of the attention turned to Hunter's college grade point average. "I think it's a 3.7 or 3.9," Hunter told reporters in April. Hunter was then asked about the mental difficulties that would come with being a two-way player. The rookie remained steadfast in his belief he was up for the task. "That's all I have to do is play football and go out there and study and make sure I understand what I'm doing." Two-way NFL players have been a rarity. Chuck Bednarik was the league's last full-time two-way athlete. Bednarik was a linebacker and offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1949-62. Sammy Baugh and Don Hutson are also notable former two-way stars. Baugh was a quarterback, defensive back and punter. Huston spent his entire NFL career with the Green Bay Packers, playing receiver and safety. He later had a stint as a Packers assistant coach. First-year Jaguars head coach Liam Coen liked what he saw from Hunter when he lined up on the offensive side of the ball. The coach also hinted there was room for improvement on the defensive side. "He made a couple good catches on some option routes and missed the one tackle defensively that I noticed," Coen said. "I'll have to watch the tape on how he operated defensively a little bit more, but I thought offensively, he made the right decisions on those option routes. Made a good catch, almost broke out of that one where Trevor put it behind him on that third down we talked about, but I'll have to go watch the tape a little bit more to know more." Hunter, who was once a highly-sought-after high school recruit, started his career at Jackson State. He then followed Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders to Colorado. Hunter won the Heisman Trophy last December. He delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech at the Lincoln Center in New York City, thanking his friends, teammates, and his father. "I want to say something to my father. He's not here. But I know you're watching on TV," the two-way star said. "Dad, I love you. All the stuff you went through, man. Now, look at your oldest son. I did it for you, man. All the times that you ain't get to see me, and the times that you came to see my games. From probably two games in high school to seeing me on TV every weekend and coming to see me, man, that means so much to me." In April, the Jaguars used the second overall draft selection to bring Hunter's talents to Jacksonville. The New Orleans Saints host the Jaguars on Aug. 18 in the second week of preseason action. The Jaguars welcome the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 7 to open the regular season.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mets top 2025 MLB Draft choice Mitch Voit gets his first look at Citi Field
Mitch Voit has been "excited" since last Sunday night when the Mets chose him with the 38th pick in the MLB Draft. He stopped by Citi Field to meet the media, take some batting practice and detail his development plan moving forward. Though he was drafted as a two-way player, his main focus will be on positional play. He added with a smile that if going back to pitching will get him to the big leagues, he'll always have that in "my back pocket."
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rangers choose high-upside 2-way player in MLB Draft
The Texas Rangers announced Josh Owens as a two-way player. That's notable, because if they had no plans at all to let him continue his doubling-up on the diamond, they could've just said he was an outfielder. Advertisement writes that Owens has "more upside as a position player." But he has also pitched for the 18-U U.S. national team and hits 92 miles per hour on his fastball, so maybe he'll keep pitching for a bit, too. The Rangers have no need to rush the high schooler out of Providence Academy in Tennessee, who they chose with the No. 84 overall pick as part of the MLB Draft's third round. "He won two games on the mound and also played some left field for the U.S. national team that earned a gold medal at the 18-and-under World Cup qualifier in Panama last August," writes. "Owens presently is a hit-over-power guy but should have more pop as he fills out his projectable 6-foot-3 frame. He'll flash the ability to drive balls in the air with his left-handed stroke and should do so more frequently as he gets stronger. For now, he focuses on making contact with a calm setup and a slight crouch at the plate. Owens features plus-plus speed and uses it to get on base and create havoc when he does." MORE: Why Nationals chose Eli Willits over Ethan Holliday at No. 1 overall pick Advertisement It does sound like if you had to pick, Owens would end up in the outfield. Especially at 6-foot-3 and with a lefty swing to go with his speed, that's a great combination. But don't count out the allure of a two-way guy. Besides, the longer the Rangers stick with it, the more paths they have to take to try and maximize the usage of their third-round pick. Even if his development stalls at one skill, it may keep rolling with the other. MORE MLB DRAFT:
NHK
17-06-2025
- Sport
- NHK
Ohtani Shohei back on the mound as two-way player
Ohtani Shohei was the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, marking his come-back as a two-way player. Fans were already on their feet when the Japanese Major League superstar emerged from the dugout at Dodger Stadium. They watched him warm up for the game against the San Diego Padres. Ohtani had to take a break from pitching for nearly two years after undergoing his second elbow surgery. The last time he both pitched and batted was in August 2023 when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. This is his first time on the mound for the Dodgers.
New York Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Shohei Ohtani throws one inning in first pitching appearance for Dodgers
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani's artistry is his ability to make the unthinkable seem normal. It should not be rational for the National League leader in home runs to toe the rubber and throw 100.2 mph, as he topped out at with his fastball on Monday night. His two-way play is the type of schoolyard dominance that leads others to speak of him with childlike reverence. Advertisement What he is doing feels mind-boggling because it tests what conventional wisdom is as to what is possible on a major league baseball field. The Los Angeles Dodgers could only watch from afar as Ohtani reached the peak of his two-way prowess in a stadium in the shadow of Disneyland. They've dreamed for years that the magic would come in their uniform. Monday night, over the course of one inning and 28 pitches against the San Diego Padres, they finally got to witness it. At least, what it could be. Almost 21 months have passed since Ohtani's right elbow was operated on a second time, and the path to getting to this point felt almost as long before hitting warp speed over the last 22 days. It's only been that long since Ohtani faced hitters for the first time since surgery. The decision to shift Ohtani's rehabilitation into big-league games feels unprecedented and was finalized within the last 24 to 48 hours, according to Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes. 'There is no playbook for this,' Gomes said. So Ohtani toed the rubber at 7:10 p.m. for his first pitching appearance in a Dodgers uniform. At 7:22 p.m., he completed his first inning, having allowed a pair of softly-hit singles and a run on a Manny Machado sacrifice fly. He flashed eye-popping stuff, even if he looked like someone pitching in a big league game for the first time in nearly two years. By 7:24 p.m., the reigning National League MVP was stepping into the batter's box to lead off against Padres right-hander Dylan Cease, and struck out on seven pitches. He didn't even have time to stop in the dugout; his gear was laid out for him on the dirt in front of it. Time is at a premium when you're trying to do it all. 'To watch this guy start and then take an at-bat, this is bananas,' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. This story will be updated.
