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By Travis M. Smith | Ellis County Sports
WAXAHACHIE — A former Nelson University strikeout king has taken the scenic route to become a professional baseball player. And, after signing with the St. Louis Cardinals organization in July, Michael Watson is now proving he’s worth his Glen Rose Tiger stripes.
Watson, 22, inked his deal with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on July 17. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound lefty was later assigned to the Single-A Palm Beach Cardinals of the Florida State League on July 30 — making his professional debut one day later in an outing that saw Watson walk two and strike out the third in 0.1IP.
Watson has appeared in 8 games for the Cardinals, striking out 11 while allowing just 1 earned run (1.08ERA) and 5 walks. He has yet to earn a decision.
Watson, a 2020 graduate of Glen Rose, signed with Nelson University (formerly SAGU) out of high school. He went on to average a jaw-dropping 13.4K/9 — ultimately being named the NCCAA Pitcher of the Year in 2023, twice named as an NAIA All-American and still holding the program’s career (345) and single-season (140) strikeout records. He tossed 232.1 innings for the Lions and recorded a sub-3.00 ERA in his sophomore and junior seasons.
That success led Watson to transfer to Division-I Sam Houston State University for his senior campaign. He compiled a 7-1 record by striking out 91 batters over 72.0 IP and 17 games (13 starts) in Huntsville.
Watson grabbed a cup of coffee in the Coastal Plains League with Lexington County (a non-professional summer league), where he made 2 starts and struck out 27 over 15.0IP. He rolled that performance into a professional baseball contract with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an MLB partner league unaffiliated with a particular club.
“Michael has succeeded at every level he’s been at,” Nelson University head baseball coach Matt Cornacchione previously stated in a university press release. “He grew tremendously as a pitcher and competitor during his time with our program, and he’s a great representative of our institution. We will continue rooting for him as he begins his pro career.”
Watson struck out 7 Kane County Cougars in his AAPB debut on July Fourth. He followed that outing by tossing 5 no-hit innings against Winnipeg and eventually earning his first professional win in his third start by fanning 5 Lincoln Saltdogs over 5 scoreless innings on July 14.
Watson told Cal Friedman of the Monarchs’ public relations team that his goal in signing with the club was to showcase his talents for MLB scouts. He added that, prior to his final start with the Monarchs, he had yet to hear much from those scouts in regards to a potential draft selection or contract offer.
“Right as the draft ended,” Watson added, “my agent texted me and said ‘the Cardinals are going to sign you’… it was that quick.”
Watson is the third Monarch to sign with an MLB organization this season.
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Travis M. Smith, @Travis5mith
tsmith@elliscosports.com
