Former Major Leaguer Watkins Named Railroaders Hitting Coach
CLEBURNE, Texas (April 5, 2021) – The Cleburne Railroaders announced Monday the hiring of Logan Watkins as the team’s hitting coach.
Watkins replaces John Rodriguez, who has accepted a full-time position at the Yorkville Baseball Academy in his home state of New York.
Watkins played with the Chicago Cubs in 2013 and 2014, logging 58 total games at the MLB level with 24 career hits. Over 11 total professional seasons, the 31-year-old is a .276 hitter with more than 1,000 career hits. Watkins announced his retirement from professional baseball recently after playing with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League in 2019.
“I’m thrilled to take this next step in my baseball journey in Cleburne,” Watkins said. “I saw a tremendous amount of potential in the organization when I played there in 2018, and I’m happy to have a chance to work with several guys I played alongside with. I know Director of Baseball Operations Josh Robertson and manager Mike Jeffcoat have put a strong team together for 2021 and I’m ready to help bring a championship back to Cleburne.”
Watkins was an American Association Postseason All-Star in 2018 while playing with the Wichita Wingnuts, finishing second in the league with a .338 batting average and leading the circuit with 11 triples. He was teammates on that Wichita club with current Railroaders Hunter Clanin, Zach Nehrir, John Nester, and Chase Simpson. Watkins was traded to Cleburne after the 2018 season, but had his contract purchased by Tijuana and did not suit up for the Railroaders.
“Logan’s professional pedigree speaks for itself when it comes to hitting expertise,” Jeffcoat said. “He’s played at the game’s highest level, but also has experience in our league and a familiarity with some of our key players. I know Logan is going to do a great job imparting his knowledge of the game to our players and helping them take the next step in their careers.”
“I’ve known Logan and his family on a personal level for many years, he’s excelled at every facet of the game in addition to being a great person and tremendously hard worker,” Robertson said. “He’s ready to take the next step in his baseball career into a coaching role, and we’re happy to have him on board.”
A native of Wichita, Kansas, Watkins was a 21st round selection by the Cubs in 2008 out of Goddard High School. He tore through the Chicago minor league system before making his MLB debut on August 4, 2013 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Watkins launched his lone Major League home run the following season against All-Star hurler Justin Masterson. A left-handed hitter, Watkins played in the Cubs system through the 2016 season before splitting 2017 between two different affiliates of the Detroit Tigers.
He and his wife Katherine reside in Wichita and have two children, Greyson and Weston.
For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.