Meet Brewers draft selection Monte Harrison: Why he's more than just a baseball player

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Recently, the Milwaukee Brewers celebrated their past by unveiling their Wall of Honor. That same weekend, they introduced what they hope is their future. At 18 years old, their second round draft pick Monte Harrison might be the steal of the draft -- and he's more than just a baseball player.

"It was kind of nerve wracking," Harrison says of the draft.

Weeks after he was selected 50th overall in the MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, Monte Harrison's dream were just beginning to come true.

"It's a blessing just to come out here and do this on the first day," Harrison said.

Top picks Kodi Medeiros and Jacob Gatewood were with Harrison -- and the group spent a very special Father's Day weekend in Milwaukee.

They were there when the Brewers unveiled their Wall of Honor.

"It's been pretty fun. To get to meet Hank Aaron is pretty crazy. I still can't believe we met him," Gatewood said.

The experience also included getting into the cage and taking batting practice with the current team.

"I told Jake, I was like 'hey man, just go out there and have fun. First couple swings aren't going to be very good.' It happened to both of us. Once we got our groove, it was good," Harrison said.

Getting into the groove is how Harrison was noticed by the Brewers in the first place.

At Lee's Summit West High School outside of Kansas City, he was a multi-skilled player with power and speed to go along with a very strong arm.

That special talent brought the head of amateur scouting for the Brewers, Bruce Seid, to see Harrison play.

"We definitely feel we've added excellence to what we take pride in here in Milwaukee," Seid said.

Harrison wasn't noticed purely for his baseball abilities.

In the fall, he was a standout on the football field on both sides of the ball -- scoring 28 touchdowns.

He signed a letter of intent to play college football at the University of Nebraska.

His high school baseball coach, Jay Meyer, believes Harrison is a rare athlete.

"When you have an athlete of that caliber that can do lot of things, not just just out on the baseball, football basketball...well shoot if he went and ran track he would have won whatever he done.  Sprint, hurdles, high jump, whatever," Meyer said.

Despite the other opportunities, Harrison settled on baseball, and he signed with the Brewers.

"I love playing the game. Just playing over the past summer and school year gave me a great feel for it. It grew on me and I really don't know how to explain it. It's just kind of the feeling you get," Harrison said.

Once he made the decision, Harrison says he felt he had another responsibility to take care of -- calling Nebraska's head football coach, Bo Pellini.

"Bo took it, he took it really well. He knew my heart and what I wanted. He gave me an opportunity, and if I ever wanted to come back I could," Harrison said.

Football won't be gone completely for Harrison, as he will translate some of the mental aspects to his baseball game.

"Know my limits, but at the same time you've got to be aggressive. Just the little things, be a leader like I was on the football field," Harrison said.

Harrison says he hopes that makeup will get him called up to the big leagues as soon as possible.

Harrison will play center field in the Brewers organization.

After their weekend in Milwaukee, Harrison and the other two draft picks moved onto Arizona to start their professional careers.