The NFL season is still months away, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have just started their voluntary offseason workout plan. That means there are players in town to take in the city of Pittsburgh. One of those players is newly acquired quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson had already attended a Pittsburgh Penguins game, but was called in to throw out the first pitch of the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Boston Red Sox game Friday night.

Wilson, who was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles out of high school but chose to attend N.C. State, has a background in the sport. He played baseball for the Wolfpack, and in 2010 he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies after college. Obviously, his focus was football, but he continued to dabble in baseball in the offseason playing for multiple minor league teams throughout his career.

Nonetheless, you can tell by the way he threw the first pitch he wasn’t just a quarterback out there throwing a baseball.

Russell Wilson with a STRIKE for the first pitch in Pittsburgh tonight! pic.twitter.com/Yq57HrkYQc

— MLB (@MLB) April 19, 2024

Not only did Wilson throw out the first pitch, but he also took batting practice.

Bat Russell Wilson leadoff! pic.twitter.com/a6OP5DHpfl

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 19, 2024

Looks like Wilson still has a sweet swing, and his bat could be considered an upgrade in the struggling Pirates’ lineup.

Russell Wilson crushing baseballs in Pittsburgh 😤 pic.twitter.com/mpUIOV2Sjr

— MLB (@MLB) April 19, 2024

The Pirates lost to the Red Sox 8-1 Friday, so those in attendance seeing Wilson take batting practice and throw out the first pitch might have seen the highlight of the evening.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft this Thursday.