Oregon athlete Bryce Boettcher to play Duck Football before joining Houston Astros

Oregon Ducks outfielder and linebacker Bryce Boettcher was selected by the Houston Astros with the 403rd overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft.

The two-sport athlete will play one more season for Oregon football coach Dan Lanning before taking his talents to the Astros.

A native of Eugene, Boettcher helped the Ducks advance to the Super Regionals this season. He was awarded the Rawlings Gold Glove after finishing the season with a 1.000 fielding percentage and committing no errors in 54 games.

He helped the Ducks reach third place in the Santa Barbara Regional, where they went undefeated to reach a second consecutive Super Regional.

“We pride ourselves on playing great defense,” Boettcher told Oregon SI’s Bri Amaranthus in June.

He also earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors and was named to the 2024 Pac-12 All-Defensive Team.

After a stellar career, Boettcher finishes fourth all-time in outfield assists at Oregon with nine.

In football, Boettcher is on the rise, having played in all 14 games for Oregon’s football team last season. Boettcher loves the physical side of football and loves playing for Lanning.

“It just motivates you to know that he would be just as willing to put on the pads and play with you as he would be to coach you,” Boettcher told Amaranthus. “When you have a coach that wants to put on the pads with you and play, it makes you want to play for him. That’s what I respect about him.”

After playing inside linebacker last season, Boettcher has a chance to help the Ducks in their inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference.