Watson "doing it for dad" in Jays' system
Right-handed pitching prospect Troy Watson was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 15th round of the 2018 MLB draft. Photo: Pierre Sanz
By Pierre Sanz
DUNEDIN, Fla. – After being the sixth player in 37 years to be drafted from the University of Northern Colorado, Troy Watson is hoping to make the Bears proud by moving up the ranks of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Watson, 21, is a right-handed pitcher who hails from Gunter, Texas, and was drafted in the 15th round by the major league club in 2018.
He spent the 2018 season with the Bluefield Blue Jays.
“It was a pretty long process (being drafted), but being drafted wasn’t the end goal,” said Watson, on a sunny day at the minor league complex. “It was another door opening to allow me to pursue my dream in becoming a professional baseball player.
“Seeing your name come across that board is honestly indescribable.”
Watson is the first player from his school to be drafted since Jensen Park back in 2015 by the Colorado Rockies.
In Watson’s freshman year he had a 4.17 ERA and in his sophomore year he had a 2.91 ERA, striking out 24 batters and walking nine before an arm injury.
“My sophomore year I was the opening day starter, then I got injured and diagnosed with ulnar neuritis,” said the right-hander. “That limited me to about 34 innings that year, really disappointed in that but I was able to make a pretty strong comeback towards the end of the year and I got drafted after my sophomore year.”
Ulnar neuritis is a swelling of the ulnar nerve in the arm that results in numbness or weakness in the hand.
Watson became inspired to play baseball by his dad, and always plays for him.
“My dad was a single father, he raised me since diapers, I really play for him,” said the son. “I have ‘Do It for Dad’ imprinted on my glove, he’s my true influence.”
After taking part in his first Spring Training down in Dunedin, Watson says it’s been surreal and eye-opening. The 21-year-old has been working with some of the top prospects as they all aim for the same end goal.
“You’re here with some of the best baseball players in the world and you’re able to go out there and grind with them every day,” Watson said. “You’re all chasing that one dream of stepping foot in Toronto.”
Although he doesn’t know where he will be heading for the season, Watson’s main aspirations for this season is to just play ball, whether that be with the Vancouver Canadians, the Lansing Lugnuts, back in Bluefield, or even in Dunedin.
“I don’t know where I am going yet, but I don’t really care, I just want to play,” Watson said.
“Hopefully I will be in Toronto soon, whenever the front office thinks I’m ready. I’m either going to Vancouver or to Lansing, that’s not in stone because players come down, go up, injuries and trades and all that. It’s just the matter of face of being ready whenever your number is called.”