Jameis Winston has a Heisman Trophy and a national championship ring, but the superstar quarterback expects to be nervous Tuesday when he joins his Florida State baseball teammates in facing the Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
“I think I’m going to be a little starstruck,” he told ESPN about facing his “favorite team.”
The Yankees are intrigued to see Winston, a two-sport star who wants to play professional baseball in addition to football.
“I am excited to see him,” Yankees manager Joe Giradi said. “Obviously, he is extremely athletic and has a great arm.”
Baseball America named Winston to their preseason All-American third team as a utility player. He played in the outfield and was the Seminoles closer in 2013. Last season, Winston pitched 27 innings, striking out 21, notching a 3.00 ERA and giving up 12 hits. Opposing batters hit .176 against him. He batted .235 with three triples and nine RBIs as the Seminoles reached the Super Regionals of the NCAA Tournament.
So far this year, he has appeared in three games, picked up one save and allowing just a hit in four innings pitched for the 6-0 Seminoles.
Winston was taken in the 15th round of the 2012 MLB draft by the Rangers out of Hueytown (Ala.) High School. Winston, the 22nd-ranked high school prospect in the nation at the time according to Perfect Game, didn’t sign.