Tommy Watkins

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**Tommy Watkins**

Minnesota Twins — No. 80
Shortstop
Born: June 18, 1980 (1980-06-18) (age 27)
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
August 10, 2007 for the Minnesota Twins
Selected MLB statistics (through 2007)
Batting average	.357
Home runs	0
Runs batted in	0
Teams
Minnesota Twins (2007)

Thomas Gray Watkins, Jr. (born June 18, 1980 in Ft. Myers, Florida) is a Major League Baseball player for the Minnesota Twins. He was drafted by the Twins in the 38th round of the 1998 MLB draft from Riverdale High School in the Ft. Myers, Florida. He was promoted on August 8, 2007 from the Rochester Red Wings, the Minnesota Twins Triple-A baseball affiliate. He is the first player in Twins history to wear #61.

Watkins made his major league debut on August 10, 2007. Twins GM Terry Ryan announced his call-up while visiting the Red Wings; the news was very well received by his teammates.^[1] Watkins spent 10 years in the minors, all with the Twins, before making his major league debut.

Red Wings Manager Stan Cliburn stated that Watkins' promotion to the big leagues "was one of the most emotional call-ups [he had] ever been involved with." The announcement "set off a joyous celebration in the clubhouse, because of everyone's love, passion and respect for Tommy." ^[2]

Tommy was the 14th player from the Red Wings to be promoted to the Minnesota Twins in 2007. He was with the Red Wings in Syracuse, NY and joined the Twins in Kansas City. He recorded his first major league hit August 15th 2007, while playing the Seattle Mariners.

According to Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, "He has a good smile in his face and comes to play every day. You can play anywhere you put him, outfield, infield, so it will be fine to have him up there."^[3]

Tommy's nickname at Rochester was "The Mayor" because of his personable style and his ability to deliver. Tommy is introduced at home for his at bats to the sounds of Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi.

1 2007 Season at AAA Rochester
2 2007 Season with the Minnesota Twins
3 References
4 External links

[edit] 2007 Season at AAA Rochester

2007 was Tommy's 2nd season at Triple-A Rochester. Tommy had a team-high 10-game hitting streak in 2007, ending July 5th, 2007. He was 42 for 138 (.304) during the streak. In his last 43 games he had 8 doubles, 6 HR and 24 RBI. He stole home June 14th against the Louisville Bats.

His 8 home runs in 2007 match his career minor-league high of 8 HR in 2004 at New Britain, CT (Double-A). His 2007 batting average of .272 was a career high, although in 2006 Watkins hit .276 in the part of the season he spent with Rochester. Also in 2007, he reached a career high in doubles (22) and RBI (49).

BA	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
.272	110	349	53	95	22	0	8	49	141	39	63	12	7	.349	.404	.753

[edit] 2007 Season with the Minnesota Twins

Watkins played nine games. He started eight of them, all at 3B (he shifted to SS for the last two innings of one game). He had 10 hits in 28 at-bats, all of them singles.