One more professional baseball player has come from Oregon State. In a way.
The former starting quarterback for the Beavers was given an unexpected professional shot in a different sport on Tuesday when he signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees.
As a junior college transfer, Nolan came to Corvallis in January 2020 and immediately made a name for himself in Oregon State football history by finishing a thrilling comeback against the rival Oregon Ducks by scoring the game-winning touchdown on a fourth-and-goal run with 33 seconds remaining.
Tristan Gebbia, the starting quarterback, had left the game one play earlier due to an injury, but it would not be his final snap as Nolan began his OSU career.
Nolan completed 61% of his throws for 4,153 yards and started the season’s last three games in addition to 17 more in 2021 and 2022. Five games into the 2022 season, however, he sustained a neck injury that cost him his starting position to Ben Gulbranson. The following offseason, he transferred to TCU.
Despite not playing a single snap for the Horned Frogs, dual-threat quarterback Nolan, who played basketball and football in high school, never lost up on his goal of becoming a professional athlete. In 2023, Nolan arrived at Morningside University, a small, private NAIA baseball school in Menifee, California.
I appreciate @Yankees for me this chance. I appreciate all of the support and direction you have given me. eager to start working.tweet.com/awz2bNYMJg
As a relief pitcher, he made seven appearances and had one save in 3 1/3 innings. Despite his inconsistent performance, which included walking nine batters, Nolan managed to compile a 2.70 ERA and three strikeouts for the Mustangs.
Evidently, that was sufficient to spark Nolan’s interest in baseball. In order to improve his mechanics and get ready for MLB scouts, he continued to train at Driveline, a data-driven baseball development facility in Seattle.
During Driveline’s pro day on January 20, Nolan engaged in an individual throwing session. He impressed scouts with his four-pitch arsenal, which included a fastball that reached 97 mph. He continued his improbable journey from Beavers quarterback to professional baseball player eight days later when he joined with the Yankees.
It is likely that Nolan will join the group for spring training exercises the following month.
Nolan posted on social media, “Thank you Yankees for giving me this opportunity.” I appreciate all of the support and direction you have given me. eager to start working.
503-294-5183 | @BlazerFreeman|@freemanjoe.bsky.social| Joe Freeman|[email protected]| Get the newest news and the best stories by subscribing to The Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts.
