Chad Hutchinson, Stanford's top quarterback, has been remarkable
this spring, good enough to make him a consensus top 10 draft
pick—in baseball. While his football teammates wrapped up
spring practice last week, Hutchinson continued toiling as the
No. 2 starting pitcher for the second-ranked Cardinal. There's
no quarterback controversy though, because coach Tyrone
Willingham named Hutchinson the starter after last season, and
Hutchinson's absence at spring practice isn't unusual. But
Hutchinson, who coming out of high school was picked 26th by the
Atlanta Braves in the 1995 draft and turned down more than $1
million to attend Stanford, is again eligible for the baseball
draft. Will he sign a lucrative contract or return for another
football season?
If he could have his way, Hutchinson, a 6'5", 230-pound junior,
would sign a baseball contract and work out a provision under
which he could play football for the Cardinal next fall.
Hutchinson realizes he may not have that option, which could
thrust a tough decision on an athlete who believes he has the
credentials to play in the NFL or the big leagues. Through
Sunday, Hutchinson had a 23-9 collegiate pitching record,
including an 8-3 mark in 1998, and his fastball had been clocked
at 97 mph. A two-year starter in football, Hutchinson has thrown
for 4,235 yards and 20 touchdowns.
"I really don't have a preference," says Hutchinson, 21. "I love
baseball, and I could see myself playing professional baseball.
But I love football and could see myself playing professional
football too. I've thought about it a lot, but I'm not even
close to making a decision. I probably won't decide until after
the draft."
Issue date: May 4, 1998
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