Wartburg's Watson Selected by St. Louis Cardinals

Courtesy: Wartburg College Athletics

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By James Steward

Story Created: Jun 10, 2011 at 9:33 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jun 10, 2011 at 9:33 PM CDT

WAVERLY, Iowa - Wartburg College pitcher Brad Watson (Urbandale), a 2011 graduate, will continue his baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals' organization. Watson was selected in the recent Major League Baseball draft, held June 6-8.

A 37th round pick, Watson is on his way to join the Gulf Coast League Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla. "We have a one-week minicamp and then the rookie league season starts," he said. "I have no idea what my role will be yet. I'm just glad to have an opportunity."

Watson concluded his Wartburg career with one of the top single-season pitching efforts in program history. He finished 10-4 with a 2.07 earned run average, five complete games, one shutout and 88 strikeouts. He was named the Iowa Conference's Pitcher of the Year and also earned American Baseball Coaches Association all-Central Region and honorable mention All-American D3Baseball.com honors.

"I was fortunate to have a coaching staff at Wartburg that believed in me and gave me chances to succeed," he said. "I also feel like my work in the off season has helped me stay healthy throughout my career and given me a chance to do this."

Watson is the first Knights' player to play for a major league baseball organization since former All-American catching standout Matt Thede did so with the then Montreal Expos from 2002-04.

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