Mark Watson, Available As Needed

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Mark Watson, Available As Needed

Post by Lane » Sun Oct 01, 2017 12:16 pm

We’ll forgive you if you’re not 100% sure who Mark Watson is. He’d say the same thing, and be perfectly fine with it. He prefers to focus on the game…studying his opponents, and serving as a co-captain of the pitching staff with Manuel Ramirez. As someone who has spent significant time in the bullpen, as well as the rotation, he’s the perfect go-between for the Surfers pitching staff that has allowed the third fewest runs in the Frick League.

Watson, now 29, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Long Beach Surfers back in 2017. At first he just looked like organizational depth, but took to the coaching in Long Beach and by 2021 he looked the part of a big league contributor. He was then shipped to Huntsville, where he appeared in seven games in 2022. He wasn’t long for the Phantoms though, as Hawaii took an interest in 2024 and he became an important part of the bullpen for the 2025 Tropics team that won the Landis Memorial series. From then through 2029 he was a stalwart in the Hawaii pen, pitching at least 73 innings every season, and making a career-high 89 appearances in 2027.

He was a good reliever, but if it were just for relief appearances, he likely wouldn’t find himself in a Surfers uniform today. In his final season with Hawaii, he made 31 starts, and proved that he could survive in the BBA as at least a number 5 starter. This versatility appealed to Long Beach GM Stephen Lane, and he inked him to a three year deal, with team options for two more, worth up to $29 million. On a Surfers roster overloaded with pitching, Watson made just one spot start in 2031, but had an excellent year in relief, making 73 appearances out of the pen.

You might have noticed that 2032 has been a different story completely. With the trades of starters Van Willard and Julio Velasco, it was apparent that Watson’s services may be needed in the rotation sooner rather than later. An early season injury to Jose Lozano, followed up by the release of Tavio Ciccolella led to Watson joining the rotation in late May. His first start, against California was a disaster, but he righted himself and hasn’t looked back since. In 17 starts on the year, he has a 9-4 record and a 2.90 ERA over 111 innings pitched.

With a strong September, Watson could find himself in the playoff rotation for a Surfers team that should be a favorite to appear in the Cartwright Cup for a fourth consecutive season. With a fastball that sits in the mid-90s complemented by and average cutter and slider, Watson relies on excellent movement and smart sequencing to get batters out. He’s allowing home runs at a rate of just 0.7/9IP, a mark that sets him in the top 10 in the BBA, and second on the team to movement specialist Esteban Gil.

On a staff with names like Gil, Jimmy Greenwood and all-time great Manuel Ramirez, Mark Watson won’t get much press. But to the organization, and to his teammates, his contributions are invaluable.
Stephen Lane
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General Manager, Long Beach Surfers
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Re: Mark Watson, Available As Needed

Post by JimBob2232 » Sun Oct 01, 2017 8:28 pm

Man, I wish i had manuel ramirez back this year...

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Re: Mark Watson, Available As Needed

Post by RonCo » Mon Oct 02, 2017 10:15 am

It's always a blast when you get a guy deeper in the rotation doing what Watson is doing. Great story.
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Re: Mark Watson, Available As Needed

Post by udlb58 » Mon Oct 02, 2017 3:52 pm

I've always been the one to latch on to the lesser-knowns, so these guys are always fun for me. As a real-life Braves fan, it was Jeff Blauser growing up and as a Chiefs fan it was JJ Birden and Kimble Anders/Tony Richardson. In BBA, it has been Jorge Gonzales and Rob Fuller.
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Re: Mark Watson, Available As Needed

Post by bcslouck » Tue Oct 03, 2017 2:01 pm

Nice write-up on a solid, player. I'd love a guy like him right now.
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Re: Mark Watson, Available As Needed

Post by usnspecialist » Tue Oct 03, 2017 2:32 pm

udlb58 wrote:I've always been the one to latch on to the lesser-knowns, so these guys are always fun for me. As a real-life Braves fan, it was Jeff Blauser growing up and as a Chiefs fan it was JJ Birden and Kimble Anders/Tony Richardson. In BBA, it has been Jorge Gonzales and Rob Fuller.
my in-laws are from KC (my wife is actually really good friends with Jim Lynch's son if you want to go REAL old school chiefs), so I have been getting a crash course in KC fandom recently. Helps to have them as a backup team right now considering my primary team is the bears....
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Re: Mark Watson, Available As Needed

Post by udlb58 » Wed Oct 04, 2017 11:20 am

usnspecialist wrote:
udlb58 wrote:I've always been the one to latch on to the lesser-knowns, so these guys are always fun for me. As a real-life Braves fan, it was Jeff Blauser growing up and as a Chiefs fan it was JJ Birden and Kimble Anders/Tony Richardson. In BBA, it has been Jorge Gonzales and Rob Fuller.
my in-laws are from KC (my wife is actually really good friends with Jim Lynch's son if you want to go REAL old school chiefs), so I have been getting a crash course in KC fandom recently. Helps to have them as a backup team right now considering my primary team is the bears....
Jim Lynch = best linebacker who isn't in the Hall of Fame. People compared Jack Ham to him back in the day. Having two other HOF LBs next to him probably did in his chances. He and Johnny Robinson not being in the Hall is a crime.
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Re: Mark Watson, Available As Needed

Post by usnspecialist » Wed Oct 04, 2017 11:27 am

udlb58 wrote:
usnspecialist wrote:
udlb58 wrote:I've always been the one to latch on to the lesser-knowns, so these guys are always fun for me. As a real-life Braves fan, it was Jeff Blauser growing up and as a Chiefs fan it was JJ Birden and Kimble Anders/Tony Richardson. In BBA, it has been Jorge Gonzales and Rob Fuller.
my in-laws are from KC (my wife is actually really good friends with Jim Lynch's son if you want to go REAL old school chiefs), so I have been getting a crash course in KC fandom recently. Helps to have them as a backup team right now considering my primary team is the bears....
Jim Lynch = best linebacker who isn't in the Hall of Fame. People compared Jack Ham to him back in the day. Having two other HOF LBs next to him probably did in his chances. He and Johnny Robinson not being in the Hall is a crime.
my wife has a few funny stories about going over to his house and seeing guys like willie lanier and mean joe greene over there. Apparently mean joe loved himself some paula Abdul music back in the day.
Randy Weigand

Havana Sugar Kings/San Fernando Bears: 32-50 (1608-1481)
Des Moines Kernels: 52-

League Champion- 34
JL Champion- 34
FL Champion- 36, 37
JL Southern- 34
FL Pacific- 37, 39
Wild Card- 33, 35, 36, 40, 43

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