It should come as no surprise that professional athletes are good at other sports. But even for the most elite athletes out there, baseball can be difficult.
That hasn’t stopped several big-name NFL players from giving it a try in recent weeks.
As NFL players are reporting for OTAs, the hometown MLB teams have invited players like Josh Allen, A.J. Brown, Jalen Hurts and Joe Burrow to take some swings at the ballpark. It’s a cool opportunity for those players to try to hit a home run at a big-league stadium. And for the MLB players, it adds an entertaining dimension to the batting-practice routine.
But out of the players who made appearances at batting practice, one particularly stood out. Between Allen, Hurts, Brown and Burrow, this was how we ranked the swings.
4. Jalen Hurts
Hurts and Brown recently joined the Phillies for batting practice, and Hurts might have the most Football Player swing I’ve seen.
His stance is low and robotic as he just drops his hands and chops from under the ball. Hurts’ strength is enough to generate warning-track power, but he’s going to have trouble catching up with high-velocity pitches.
Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown taking BP before the Phillies game @JomboyMediaFB pic.twitter.com/9aX2WthuGn
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 6, 2023
He also throws a baseball like he would a football, which is hilarious.
Rob Thomson playing catch with Jalen Hurts 🤩 @NFLonFOX
(via @NBCSPhilly)pic.twitter.com/4MEpXTst86
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 6, 2023
3. Josh Allen
The Buffalo Bills quarterback joined the Blue Jays last month for some batting practice at Rogers Centre, and I must say that he did show off some stunning power.
He hit four home runs in the session, which is no easy feat. As far as his swing goes, Allen looked like someone who has been crushing it at slow-pitch softball. With that tall, open stance, you just know he’s hitting bombs in softball.
ROSTER MOVE: QB Josh Allen has been recalled from Buffalo.
He homered FOUR times 💪 #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/fHr7JQG9XG
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 15, 2023
It’s not the prettiest swing, but the power is undeniable.
2. Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow stopped playing baseball before high school, but he didn’t lose his swing apparently.
The Bengals quarterback joined the Reds on Wednesday for a batting practice session, and he quickly sent a line drive into the seats at Great American Ball Park. You’d never guess he lacked recent baseball experience from that swing.
Joe Burrow putting on a show at BP in front of Reds players @JomboyMediaFB pic.twitter.com/MznIo1gyBl
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 7, 2023
His balance is great. There’s not much unnecessary movement. His hands are quick too. That’s just a smooth swing, and you could tell from the Reds’ reaction that they were impressed.
Joe Burrow rakes 💪😤@NFLonFOX | @Bengals | @JoeyB
(via @Reds)pic.twitter.com/kVt9UaeCeY
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 7, 2023
1. A.J. Brown
It’s the second clip of the Jalen Hurts video, but if you were to tell me that was an MLB player taking batting practice, I wouldn’t have had a second thought.
Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown taking BP before the Phillies game @JomboyMediaFB pic.twitter.com/9aX2WthuGn
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 6, 2023
Scouting report on #Eagles AJ Brown taking BP at #Philies today. Hit 3 dingers out of the ballpark. AJ Played football and baseball at #OleMiss. Was drafted by #Padres and participated 3 seasons at extended spring training for Padres. @SportsRadioWIP pic.twitter.com/S9sL1jv1OT
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) June 6, 2023
Brown’s swing is just that good. That shouldn’t come as a surprise given that he was drafted by the Padres and played baseball at Ole Miss. But at least in facing pitches at BP speed, Brown has a picture-perfect swing for a power hitter.
There was a time last year when he wanted to give professional baseball a serious attempt, but he chose wisely in sticking with football.
