Tony Watson
Encyclopedia
Anthony M. Watson is a left-handed relief pitcher currently on the Pittsburgh Pirates
active roster.
Prior to playing professionally, Watson attended Dallas Center Grimes High School in Grimes, Iowa
and then University of Nebraska, where he pitched from 2005 to 2007. In 2005, he went 6-1 with a 2.82 ERA in 23 games (five starts), in 2006 he went 10-2 with a 2.78 ERA in 17 games (15 starts) and in 2007 he went 6-4 with a 4.09 ERA in 15 starts. He was then drafted by the Pirates in the ninth round of the 2007 draft and began his professional career that season.
He split 2007 between the State College Spikes
and Hickory Crawdads
, going a combined 7-2 with a 2.79 ERA in 13 starts. In 2008, he went 8-12 with a 3.56 ERA in 28 starts for the Lynchburg Hillcats
and in 2009 he went 0-3 with an 8.22 ERA in five starst for the Altoona Curve
. He went 6-4 with a 2.67 ERA in 34 games (nine starts) with the Curve in 2010.
On June 7, 2011, Watson was called up to the majors for the first time. José Ascanio
was designated for assignment to make room.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
active roster.
Prior to playing professionally, Watson attended Dallas Center Grimes High School in Grimes, Iowa
Grimes, Iowa
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,098 people, 1,887 households, and 1,437 families residing in the city. The population density was 569.4 people per square mile . There were 1,958 housing units at an average density of 218.7 per square mile...
and then University of Nebraska, where he pitched from 2005 to 2007. In 2005, he went 6-1 with a 2.82 ERA in 23 games (five starts), in 2006 he went 10-2 with a 2.78 ERA in 17 games (15 starts) and in 2007 he went 6-4 with a 4.09 ERA in 15 starts. He was then drafted by the Pirates in the ninth round of the 2007 draft and began his professional career that season.
He split 2007 between the State College Spikes
State College Spikes
The State College Spikes are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the New York – Penn League. The Spikes play their home games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park located on the main campus of Pennsylvania State University located in University Park, Pennsylvania. Medlar Field is...
and Hickory Crawdads
Hickory Crawdads
The Hickory Crawdads are a Minor League Baseball team in Hickory, North Carolina, USA. They are a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2009. Previously, they were a Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Crawdads play home games...
, going a combined 7-2 with a 2.79 ERA in 13 starts. In 2008, he went 8-12 with a 3.56 ERA in 28 starts for the Lynchburg Hillcats
Lynchburg Hillcats
The Lynchburg Hillcats are a minor league baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League, and currently are a farm team of the Atlanta Braves. They had been a farm team of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1995, with the Cincinnati Reds fulfilling the final...
and in 2009 he went 0-3 with an 8.22 ERA in five starst for the Altoona Curve
Altoona Curve
The Altoona Curve are a minor league baseball team based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, named after nearby Horseshoe Curve . The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club...
. He went 6-4 with a 2.67 ERA in 34 games (nine starts) with the Curve in 2010.
On June 7, 2011, Watson was called up to the majors for the first time. José Ascanio
Jose Ascanio
José Eleazar Ascanio is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:...
was designated for assignment to make room.