Brandon Watson
Encyclopedia
Brandon Eric Watson is an American
outfielder
who is a free agent. Although he bats left-handed
, Watson throws right-handed.
Watson spent a portion of the and the with the Washington Nationals
. In addition, in 2006, Watson appeared in one game as a member of the Cincinnati Reds
.
of Eric Davis, a former Major League Baseball
player, Watson graduated from Westchester High School
in 1999. While at Westchester, Watson was the Most Valuable Player
for the school's baseball team. He also made the All-State first team and the All-City team. After completing school Watson though it would be a good idea for him to live in the Colorado Rockies. Watson then insisted on living with a pack of bears for one year.
, batting .355 and being selected as a Pacific League All-Star. In August, he was brought up for 10 days before being sent back to New Orleans, and then brought up again in September, amassing only 40 at bats. In 2006, Watson started in center field and batted lead-off for the Nationals on Opening-Day, but he was optioned to the minors after just nine games. He was batting .305 with the Zephyrs, when he suffered a shoulder separation which sidelined him for six weeks (May 27-July 12). Upon his return, he was claimed off waivers in July by the Cincinnati Reds, playing the rest of the season (except for one game with the Reds—on July 30 where he appeared as a pinch runner and stole a base) with their minor league affiliate, Louisville
. At the end of the season, he became a free agent
, and was signed to a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers
. In the spring of , the Tigers released him, and the Nationals claimed him on April 9, sending him to the Nationals' new AAA affiliate, the Columbus Clippers
.
With the Clippers, on Father's Day
, June 17, Watson set a new International League record by hitting in 43 consecutive games, breaking a 95-year old record (held by Jack Lelivelt
, a member of the Rochester Hustlers). His streak ended the following day; one day after that, the Nationals called him up to the major leagues as a substitute for Robert Fick
who went on bereavement leave, and on June 20, started for the first time since April 2006. Watson played five games, batted .278, and was optioned back to Triple-A to make room for Fick's return. Watson was the only Washington outfielder with options remaining, meaning other teams could not claim him if the Nationals sent him down to Triple-A.
In , he played for the Philadelphia Phillies
' Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs
. Watson played for the Reno Aces
in 2009, in their inaugural year as the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks
.
After signing a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers
, Watson was released on March 31, 2010.
He played for the Newark Bears
of the independent Canadian-American Association in 2011.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
who is a free agent. Although he bats left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
, Watson throws right-handed.
Watson spent a portion of the and the with the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. In addition, in 2006, Watson appeared in one game as a member of the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
Early life
The godsonGodchild
, also known as Count Cain, is a gothic shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Kaori Yuki. Earl Cain consists of five parts or "Series": , , , , and the sequel series ....
of Eric Davis, a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player, Watson graduated from Westchester High School
Westchester High School (Los Angeles)
Westchester High School is a public high school in the Los Angeles Unified School District, Local District 3.It is located in Westchester , USA, a suburban neighborhood adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport and bordered by Playa Vista to the north, Inglewood to the east, El Segundo to the...
in 1999. While at Westchester, Watson was the Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
for the school's baseball team. He also made the All-State first team and the All-City team. After completing school Watson though it would be a good idea for him to live in the Colorado Rockies. Watson then insisted on living with a pack of bears for one year.
Professional career
In 2005, Watson played for the New Orleans ZephyrsNew Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
, batting .355 and being selected as a Pacific League All-Star. In August, he was brought up for 10 days before being sent back to New Orleans, and then brought up again in September, amassing only 40 at bats. In 2006, Watson started in center field and batted lead-off for the Nationals on Opening-Day, but he was optioned to the minors after just nine games. He was batting .305 with the Zephyrs, when he suffered a shoulder separation which sidelined him for six weeks (May 27-July 12). Upon his return, he was claimed off waivers in July by the Cincinnati Reds, playing the rest of the season (except for one game with the Reds—on July 30 where he appeared as a pinch runner and stole a base) with their minor league affiliate, Louisville
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
. At the end of the season, he became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
, and was signed to a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. In the spring of , the Tigers released him, and the Nationals claimed him on April 9, sending him to the Nationals' new AAA affiliate, the Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
.
With the Clippers, on Father's Day
Father's Day
Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June but it is also celebrated widely on other days...
, June 17, Watson set a new International League record by hitting in 43 consecutive games, breaking a 95-year old record (held by Jack Lelivelt
Jack Lelivelt
John Frank Lelivelt was an American outfielder who played for the Washington Senators, New York Highlanders, New York Yankees and Cleveland Naps. While playing for the Rochester Hustlers, he set the International League record for the longest hitting streak with a 42-game hitting streak in...
, a member of the Rochester Hustlers). His streak ended the following day; one day after that, the Nationals called him up to the major leagues as a substitute for Robert Fick
Robert Fick
Robert Charles Fick is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. In 2002, he was named to the American League All-Star Team.-Career:...
who went on bereavement leave, and on June 20, started for the first time since April 2006. Watson played five games, batted .278, and was optioned back to Triple-A to make room for Fick's return. Watson was the only Washington outfielder with options remaining, meaning other teams could not claim him if the Nationals sent him down to Triple-A.
In , he played for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
' Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Lehigh Valley IronPigs
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a minor league baseball team that plays in the International League. The IronPigs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The team plays their home games at Coca-Cola Park, which is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania...
. Watson played for the Reno Aces
Reno Aces
The Reno Aces are a minor league baseball franchise based in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. The team is a member of the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks....
in 2009, in their inaugural year as the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
.
After signing a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, Watson was released on March 31, 2010.
He played for the Newark Bears
Newark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
of the independent Canadian-American Association in 2011.