Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher returning for 2025 season in lieu of joining Houston Astros organization

Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher is such a gifted two-sport athlete, that he not only starred for the Ducks on the gridiron, but he was lucky enough to get drafted in the 2024 MLB Draft. He was picked by the Houston Astros with the 13th round selection. He will not report to spring training, and he will soon be placed on the restricted list. According to Chandler Rome, he will re-evaluate his options after the 2025 football season.

According to the report from Rome, the Houston Astros will retain Boettcher’s rights. He was given the option of reporting to the Astros in 2025 and then returning to Eugene in time for the start of the 2025 campaign, “but decided to focus on preparing for the upcoming football season.”

Boettcher had a career season on the baseball diamond in 2024, helping the Ducks reach the Super Regionals. In 56 games played, he finished with a .267 average with 12 home runs, 35 RBIs, and an OPS of .872.

The football impact was likely not as significant but still solid. Boettcher is a linebacker, recording 37 tackles with 2.5 tackles for a loss, and one sack. It was the first season Boettcher got significant playing time for Oregon, developing well under Lanning as a fourth-year player.

Most times, players just selected in the MLB Draft would go back rookie ball before a first-ever spring training. Eventually, teams would assign them to a Minor League affiliate. Nothing too big, especially for somebody selected in the 13th-round, likely low-A ball.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh also contributed to this article.