The New York Yankees have signed an experienced quarterback to a minor-league deal. Even weirder? It's not Russell Wilson.
According to the gunslinger's own Twitter/X account, the Yankees came to terms with former Oregon State QB Chance Nolan on a minor-league deal this week. The 25-year-old from Southern California (*shakes fist* Damon Oppenheimer!!!) played three seasons with the Beavers, completing 60.7% of his 520 career passes, throwing for 32 touchdowns to 20 interceptions (and rushing for five more).
A transfer to TCU for the 2023 season didn't pan out; he left camp before the campaign began. Now, naturally, he's resurfaced with the Yankees, sitting hunched over that little signing chair.
Nolan put in the work to remake himself as a pitcher after the conclusion of his football career, becoming the latest in a long line of wannabe hurlers to maximize his velocity via Driveline training. The grind paid off; he purportedly reached the upper 90s at a recent pro day, and both Matt Blake and the Yankees clearly liked what they saw.
This is interesting: former Oregon State QB Chance Nolan has signed a minor league deal with the #Yankees. The righty was working at @DrivelineBB and hit upper 90s at a recent pro day. https://t.co/M8ArWBtNEa
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) January 31, 2025
Yankees finally find QB to follow in Russell Wilson's footsteps in Oregon State pitcher Chance Nolan
On a scale of "one to those guys from the Jon Hamm movie," this is about a three on the Risk Scale and a nine on the Excitement Meter. If Nolan can't harness his elite velocity, then no harm done. If Blake and the Gas Station get their hands on him and figure out how to continue his Driveline/pro day progression, then the Yankees receive a hidden gem for their efforts.
Finding Nolan an appropriate level of competition for his age will be challenging. Expect the Yankees to keep him in extended spring training/the Florida Complex League as he gains his sea legs, before eventually moving him up to High-A Hudson Valley when they feel he's deserving of a shot.
The Yankees have no shortage of high-ceiling bullpen options in their farm system. In accordance with that reality, they have no shortage of high-ceiling oddballs and quirky options that just might pan out in the end. Nobody expects much of Nolan, but ... it's tough to teach a heater like that. More than worth a flyer, as the Yankees look to assemble a malleable arm barn.
Besides, at this point, he's got far more heft behind his throws than Wilson does. No moonballs here.