Ryan Watson (baseball)

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Ryan Watson
Boston Red Sox – No. 56
Pitcher
Born: (1997-11-15) November 15, 1997
Auburn, Alabama, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
March 28, 2026, for the Boston Red Sox
MLB statistics
(through June 30, 2026)
Win-loss record0–0
Earned run average4.73
Strikeouts35
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams

Ryan Traylor Watson (born November 15, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2026.

Amateur career

Watson grew up in Auburn, Alabama, and attended Auburn High School. He was selected in 39th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 Major League Baseball draft, but opted not to sign with the team.[1]

Watson attended Auburn University and played college baseball for the Auburn Tigers for four seasons. As a junior, he made 24 appearances and posted a 1–1 win–loss record with a 4.87 earned run average (ERA).[2] Watson made five appearances and had a 1.23 ERA with seven strikeouts in 2020 before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.[3]

Professional career

Baltimore Orioles

Watson was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as an undrafted free agent after going unselected in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft on June 15, 2020.[4] He began the season with the Low-A Delmarva Shorebirds and was promoted to the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds after posting a 2.14 ERA in 33+2⁄3 innings pitched.[5] Watson was assigned to the Bowie Baysox of the Double-A Eastern League at the beginning of the 2022 season.[6]

In 2024, Watson made 17 appearances split between Bowie and the Triple–A Norfolk Tides, accumulating a 2.38 ERA with 23 strikeouts and two saves across 22+2⁄3 innings pitched.

San Francisco Giants

On August 9, 2024, Watson was traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations.[7]

Boston Red Sox

On December 10, 2025, Watson was selected by the Athletics in the Rule 5 draft; he was subsequently traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Justin Reimer and cash considerations. Watson made Boston's Opening Day roster,[8] and made his major league debut on March 28, 2026 against the Cincinnati Reds.[9] Watson joined Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten as Rule 5 selections who made the Red Sox's roster in recent years.

See also

References

  1. "Auburn High's Ryan Watson drafted by Los Angeles Dodgers". Opelika-Auburn News. July 15, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  2. Crews, Will (December 16, 2020). "Two Auburn High student-athlete alumni graduate Auburn University". Opelika Observer. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  3. Trezza, Joe (June 15, 2020). "Orioles agree to terms with 3 undrafted FAs". MLB.com. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  4. "Auburn pitcher Ryan Watson signs with Baltimore Orioles". Opelika-Auburn News. June 15, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  5. Brown, Mark (July 20, 2021). "Orioles minor league week in review: A wave of promotions opens room for 2021 draftees". CamdenChat.com. SB Nation. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  6. "Orioles minor league All-Stars: The top prospects at each position through the 2022 season's first half". Baltimore Sun. July 26, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  7. McDonald, Darragh (August 9, 2024). "Giants Acquire Ryan Watson From Orioles". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  8. Adams, Steve (2026-03-23). "Red Sox Make Several Roster Decisions". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 2026-04-05.
  9. McGurk, Maura (March 28, 2026). "Red Sox 5, Reds 6 (11): What a long, strange game it was". overthemonster.com. Retrieved March 28, 2026.