With The First Pick
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Jeff Samardzija Cleaned Up by Picking MLB over NFL

By Jon Dove

Mar 13, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija against the Texas Rangers during a Cactus League spring training game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija against the Texas Rangers during a Cactus League spring training game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 MLB Draft has just wrapped up and it got me thinking about Jeff Samardzija’s decision to bypass the NFL for a baseball career.

Jeff Samardzija was a two-sport star at Notre Dame, but was probably more known for his success on the football field. The fact is that college baseball just doesn’t draw the same type of attention as college football.

There was a general consensus that Samardzija had enough NFL talent to be a long-time starter and potential 2nd round pick. He featured a combination of good size, speed and aggressiveness. His style of play would fit in nicely with the type of receivers the NFL covets in today’s NFL.

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Samardzija was also seen as a high-end MLB talent with the potential to develop into an Ace pitcher. However, MLB teams weren’t sure that baseball was his passion which made the possibility of him sticking with football realistic.

This fear resulted in Samardzija slipping to the 5th round of the MLB draft where he was selected by the Chicago Cubs.

Things took a drastic turn when the Cubs offered Samardzija a huge signing bonus of $7.25 million. He rightfully jumped on the chance to make that type of guaranteed money. It’s a decision that has continued to pay off.

By the time his contract with the San Francisco Giants ends in 2020, Samardzija will have earned a total of $127,675,000 million. He’ll only be 35 years old when this contract ends which is rarely the end of a pitcher’s career. It’s especially true for someone who has been as durable as Samardzija.

He wouldn’t have come close to earning that type of money if he had stuck with football. Eddie Royal and Jordy Nelson are two optimistic comparisons for what Samardzija could’ve earned. Both were 2nd round picks in the draft Samardzija would have be available.

Nelson has enjoyed a highly successful NFL career and has earned a total of $46,004,813 million in his career. He could finish with $56,254,813 million if he gets to the end of his current contract. Of course, the NFL is very different than the MLB in that their contracts are not guaranteed.

Royal  has earned a total of $27,453,557 million throughout his career. He’s currently on the free agent market after being released by the Chicago Bears. His career has been marred by injuries and thus hampered his earning power.

Samardzija’s baseball earnings are over $43 million more than both Nelson’s and Royal’s combined. It’s obvious he made the right decision and is set up for life as far as money is concerned.

This shows the type of decisions facing two-sport athletes. They are making these choices at a very young age and have a major impact on their lives.

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