Hart selected by Colorado Rockies

Former Yale quarterback Brook Hart was taken by the Colorado Rockies in the 23rd round of Major League Baseball's draft on Tuesday.

Hart was a highly successful lefty pitcher at State College (Pa.) Area High School, tossing a complete game in Pennsylvania District VI championship game as a senior. He garnered attention as the other pitcher in the 2001 Mid-Atlantic Regional final as Danny Almonte pitched his squad to a 2-0 win and a trip to the Little League World Series. It was later discovered that Almonte was too old to have pitched in the tournament.

Hart focused on football early on in his college career. He started five games at Yale as a sophomore in 2008 as he threw for 919 yards and seven touchdowns. He also set a Yale single-season record with a 62.1 completion percentage.

Hart battled Nebraska transfer Patrick Witt for the starting quarterback spot in 2009. Hart played in six games, threw for 750 yards including four TDs had five interceptions. Hart skipped spring football practice so he could restart his baseball career.

Hart was 3-3 with a 6.26 ERA in 12 games (including eight starts). He had 38 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings. He was not taken in the 2010 MLB draft and returned to the football team.

As a senior, Hart played in just three games. He started against Fordham and was 15 of 29 for 227 yards with a touchdown pass and interception in a 7-6 Yale win.

He had a more significant role on the baseball team as a senior as he pitched in 11 games including nine starting assignments. His 2.23 ERA was second among the Yale players who pitched more than 10 innings. He was 4-5 with 47 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings.