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Nolan Watson (baseball)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nolan Watson
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1997-01-25) January 25, 1997 (age 27)
Indianapolis, Indiana
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Nolan Michael Watson is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.

At the time of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, Watson was 5–1 for Lawrence North High School, with an 0.63 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 44 23 innings. Prior to the draft, he was ranked 56th by Baseball America's annual rankings of prospects. He committed to play college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores.[1] After his senior year, the Kansas City Royals selected Watson with the 33rd overall pick in the draft. He signed for $1,825,200.[2]

After signing, Watson was assigned to the Burlington Royals, going 0–3 with a 4.91 ERA in 11 starts.[3] Watson spent 2016 with the Lexington Legends where he posted a 3–11 record, a 7.57 ERA, and a 1.75 WHIP over 24 starts. In 2017, he returned to Lexington, appearing in 15 games (13 starts) where he pitched to a 1–10 record with a 6.78 ERA,[4] and in 2018, he played for both Lexington and the Wilmington Blue Rocks, pitching to a combined 10–10 record with a 5.24 ERA in 24 total starts between both teams.[5][6]

Watson began the 2019 season with Wilmington, but pitched in only one game due to injury. He underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2019.[7] Watson did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] Watson returned to action in 2021, splitting the season between the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals and the High-A Quad Cities River Bandits. However, Watson struggled to a 6.30 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 75.2 innings of work. Watson elected free agency after the season on November 7, 2021.[9]

On February 14, 2022, Watson signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.[10] He became a free agent after the 2024 season.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Nolan Watson – Force Barbell Client of the Month". Force Barbell. July 31, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  2. ^ "MLB first round pick out of Lawrence North signs with Royals". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  3. ^ "Kansas City Royals: Nolan Watson seems to be turning things around". Kings of Kauffman. August 17, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  4. ^ "Nolan Watson Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  5. ^ "Nolan Watson Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  6. ^ "Royals' Nolan Watson: Ready to return in minors". CBSSports.com. April 29, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  7. ^ "Royals' Nolan Watson: Recovering from Tommy John surgery". CBSSports.com. March 7, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  8. ^ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". mlbtraderumors.com. June 30, 2020.
  9. ^ "2021-22 Minor League Free Agents for All 30 MLB Teams". November 9, 2021.
  10. ^ "Nolan Watson Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  11. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2024). "Minor League Free Agents 2024". Baseball America. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
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