Hillsboro Hops Pick Up Beaverton High Alum Kevin Watson Jr.

HILLSBORO, OR — A Beaverton High School alumnus is coming back home after being transferred from the rookie-level Arizona League baseball minors to the Class A Hillsboro Hops. Kevin Watson Jr., an outfielder and 2017 graduate of BHS, began his tour with the Hops this week during a three-game road trip to Boise.

Watson was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks Major League Baseball club in the 18th round of the 2017 draft, after having elected to try professional baseball instead of beginning in college at Oregon State University. Landing with the Hops, as the feeder team to the Diamondbacks, was always a possibility for Watson — and an exciting possibility at that.

Speaking to The Oregonian shortly after he was drafted, Watson considered a future playing with the Hops.

“That would be such a cool moment for me, playing for the Hops in front of family and friends," Watson told The Oregonian. "I remember going to Hops games with friends when I was in eighth grade. It’s crazy looking up to this point now. It’s surreal."

Hops and Watson's fans will get to see him in action at Ron Tonkin Stadium when the team returns for its final regular season three-game home series against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes beginning Saturday.

According to the Hillsboro Hops, Watson played 47 games in the Arizona League this year and earned a batting average of .244. Watson reportedly hit two home runs and had 25 runs batted in. Additionally, Hops officials said, "he had seven stolen bases in 10 attempts, and hit .392 (20-for-51) with runners in scoring position."

(Sign up for our free daily newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Hillsboro Patch)

Follow this link for a look at the Hops' remaining regular season schedule, and get ready for the South Division playoffs beginning Sept. 5.

Image via Beaverton School District