ASU Baseball: Coltin Gerhart shows potential in early-season practices

(Photo: Kimmy Davis/WCSN)

Coltin Gerhart does something many people cannot do–he plays quarterback at a Division I university.

The task requires an abundance of talent and dedication, and it would be more than enough for most people.

But Gerhart doesn’t just stick to football.

The freshman is also an outfielder on the Arizona State baseball team. And with baseball practices now in full swing, Gerhart has been turning heads with his recent play.

Unfortunately for Gerhart, and all the other backup outfielders for that matter, the Sun Devil outfield is all but set in stone. Current starting outfielders Jake Peevyhouse, Johnny Sewald, and Trevor Allen each provided consistent hitting and great defense that made them key players for the Sun Devil baseball team last season. With all three returning, it doesn’t look like their roles will diminish too much this season.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for competition. Gerhart has been performing wonderfully in practice and coach Tracy Smith is taking notice.

“Coltin’s going to push some people,” Smith said. “In the short time that he’s been out there he’s really made an impression—not just on the coaching staff, but I think the guys see it as well. Any time that you have competition at a position I think it raises everybody’s level of play. But some guys have had some success here in the past. Some guys have earned some opportunity. We’ll just let that stuff play out as we begin the season.”

Although Gerhart may not earn a starting outfield spot, it looks like he will be the first option off the bench. Also, look for him to fill in when the starting outfielders have rest days. Moreover, Gerhart could be one of the Sun Devils best options for pinch-hitting during the season.

But for now Gerhart is content on improving his play, saying, “Wherever they put me I’ll do my best and I’ll just keep working.”

Of course, Gerhart still has football obligations to balance, and with two four-star quarterback recruits coming to ASU in Brady White and Bryce Perkins, the quarterback competition will be that much stiffer next football season.

However, that might not matter if Gerhart has a great baseball season and decides to solely focus on baseball.

When asked about his commitment to spring football Gerhart said, “I’m gonna be around football any way possible, but my full commitment is to baseball during the spring. We’ll see what happens.”

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