Christian Hackenberg’s New York Jets endeavor ended in disaster, but a New York debut…with the Yankees or Mets…could be in the cards.
Hack is back.
Former New York Jets quarterback and second-round draft pick Christian Hackenberg is making another attempt at professional throwing. His new opportunity won’t come on the gridiron, but rather the diamond, as the Penn State alum has his sights set on baseball as a pitcher.
“I just want to compete, man,†Hackenberg told Rob Kuestner of NBA Sports Philadelphia. “I had that roller-coaster ride, and at the end of the day, I’m sitting here at 25, and for me, I feel like I’ve got a lot left in the tank.â€
Kuestner later posted video of Hackenberg reaching 90 miles an hour in a throwing session.
That is former Penn State quarterback ?@chackenberg1? who is aiming for a pro career in baseball and throwing better than 90 mph. His story tonight ?@NBCPhiladelphia? at 6 and 11. pic.twitter.com/Pt9ENO7RY4
— rob kuestner (@rkuestnernbc10) June 13, 2020
A baseball transition wouldn’t be unprecedented in the slightest for Hackenberg. Before committing to football in Happy Valley, he played baseball for three seasons during his high school days at Fork Union (VA) Military Academy. Hackenberg worked at both the mound and the plate, striking out 33 and posting a 7.36 earned run average over 25 2/3 innings. He batted .378 (including a career-best .411 tally in his senior year in 2013) and stole 21 bases on 23 attempts.
Jets fans need no reminders in how Hackenberg’s tenure with the team ended. He was the team’s second-round pick (51st overall) in 2016 but never partook in a regular season snap. He was traded to the Oakland Raiders in 2018 and spent the subsequent year in reserve roles with Philadelphia and Cincinnati. Hackenberg would later partake in the short-lived Alliance of American Football, chosen in the second round of the league’s QB Draft by the Memphis Express. He started three games, posting a 43.5 passer rating before being benched for a triumvirate that included Brandon Silvers, Zach Mettenberger, and Johnny Manziel.
Hackenberg wouldn’t be the first former Jets quarterback to try his hand in America’s pastime. Former thrower Tim Tebow has been working as an outfielder in the New York Mets’ minor league system since 2016.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags