Jake Locker retires from NFL, could he consider baseball?

Jake Locker on Tuesday announced his retirement from the NFL, saying in a statement that he no longer had the desire to continue playing.

“I am retiring from football after much reflection and discussion with my family,” Locker said in a statement via FOX’s Mike Garafolo. “I will always be grateful for having had the opportunity to realize my childhood dream of playing in the NFL and for the lifelong relationships I developed because of that experience. Football has always played a pivotal role in my life and I love the game, but I no longer have the burning desire necessary to play the game for a living; to continue to do so would be unfair to the next organization with whom I would eventually sign. I realize this decision is surprising to many, but I know in my heart that it is the right decision and I look forward to spending more time with my family and pursuing other interests.”

Locker was the No. 8 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2011, but he never developed into the franchise quarterback they hoped he would become. He was decimated by injuries during his brief career. In 2012 he suffered a shoulder injury; in 2013 he had a hip and Lisfranc injury; and in 2014, he was placed on IR to end the season.

Locker threw for 27 touchdowns and 22 interceptions over 30 games during his four-year career. He completed 58.7 percent of his passes during his career and never overcame the accuracy issues that existed during his college career at Washington.

Though Locker, 26, is done with football, that does not mean we can discount him continuing to work as a professional athlete.

Locker was a stellar baseball player in high school and drafted in the 10th round by the Angels in 2009. They still hold his rights as a player until August and may have interest in inviting him to camp.

Upon being drafted in 2009, Locker said he would only consider baseball if his football career did not work out, which is what has transpired. The Angels liked him so much that was the second time they drafted him, as they also took him 40th overall during his senior season of high school.

And what kind of a talent at baseball was Locker? Here is a 2006 Seattle Times article that gives us an idea:

On the baseball diamond, Locker is so talented that scouts are still deciding whether to draft him as an outfielder or a pitcher. A five-tool center fielder, he is hitting .600 as Ferndale’s leadoff hitter with three home runs and 32 runs scored in 15 games. He has stolen 17 bases without getting caught.

The right-hander is 4-1 with a 2.40 earned-run average and 50 strikeouts in 39 innings. Locker, who consistently throws 91 to 93 mph and has been clocked as high as 96, has struggled with his control, walking 19 and hitting six batters.

At this point in his career Locker is so far behind his peers developmentally that he would have to really move through a system quickly to have any value. Guys who are 26 have thrown hundreds of innings by now and taken a thousand at-bats in pro ball. He would have a lot of ground to make up if he changed sports, but it wouldn’t be impossible. My speculation is that his best chance to make it would be as a center fielder who can hit.