Logan Watkins
{{short description|American baseball player (born 1989)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name = Logan Watkins
| image = Logan Watkins (34042689742) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Watkins with the Erie SeaWolves in 2017
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|8|29}}
| birth_place = Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
| team = Winnipeg Goldeyes
| number = 14
| position = Second baseman / Manager
| throws = Right
| bats = Left
| debutleague = MLB
| debutdate = August 4
| debutyear = 2013
| debutteam = Chicago Cubs
| finalleague = MLB
| finaldate = September 28
| finalyear = 2014
| finalteam = Chicago Cubs
| statleague = MLB
| stat1label = Batting average
| stat1value = .233
| stat2label = Home runs
| stat2value = 1
| stat3label = Runs batted in
| stat3value = 6
| teams =
- Chicago Cubs ({{by|2013}}–{{by|2014}})
}}
Vincent Logan Watkins (born August 29, 1989) is an American professional baseball coach and former infielder who is currently the manager for the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs.
Early life
Watkins attended Goddard High School in Goddard, Kansas, where he played football as a quarterback and baseball.{{cite news|last1=Arguello|first1=John|title=Logan Watkins working his way to Wrigley|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2012/11/logan-watkins-working-his-way-to-wrigley/|accessdate=December 29, 2014|work=Chicago Now|date=November 13, 2012}}
Professional career
=Chicago Cubs=
File:Logan Watkins (8594484988) (cropped).jpg
Watkins was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 21st round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft, and signed with the team on June 27, {{By|2008}}, receiving a reported signing bonus of $600,000. He made his professional debut with the rookie-level AZL Cubs, and hit .325/.462/.363 in 27 games. In 2009, Watkins played in 72 games for the Low-A Boise Hawks, and recorded a .326/.389/.391 slash with 29 RBI. The following year, Watkins played for the Single-A Peoria Chiefs, batting .261/.351/.339 with 1 home run and 30 RBI. In 2011, Watkins played for the High-A Daytona Cubs, setting career-highs in home runs (5) and RBI (45). For the 2012 season, Watkins played for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, slashing .281/.383/.422 with new career-highs in home runs (9) and RBI (52).{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=watkin000log|title = Logan Watkins Minor, Fall, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History}} Watkins was named the Cubs' minor league player of the year in 2012 and the Cubs added him to their 40-man roster after the season.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121120&content_id=40385650&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Bryan LaHair designated for assignment as Cubs set 40-man roster | MLB.com: News |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |date= |accessdate=2013-08-06}} He was assigned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs to begin the 2013 season. On August 4, 2013, the Cubs promoted Watkins to the major leagues and made his debut as the starting second baseman against the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 1-for-4.{{cite web|author=John Arguello |url=http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/08/luis-valbuena-to-dl-logan-watkins-gets-the-call/ |title=Logan Watkins gets the call up to Chicago, will start at 2B today. | Cubs Den |publisher=Chicagonow.com |date=2013-07-25 |accessdate=2013-08-06}} He finished his rookie season 8-for-38 (.211) with no home runs or RBI. Watkins hit .246 with a home run and 6 RBI in 65 at-bats with the Cubs in 2014.
Watkins was designated for assignment by the Cubs on December 19, 2014, and was outrighted three days later.{{cite web|title=Cubs claim catcher Ryan Lavarnway and outfielder Shane Peterson off waivers|url=http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/104518410/cubs-claim-catcher-ryan-lavarnway-and-outfielder-shane-peterson-off-waivers|accessdate=December 29, 2014|website=MLB.com|date=December 19, 2014|archive-date=December 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220033528/http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/104518410/cubs-claim-catcher-ryan-lavarnway-and-outfielder-shane-peterson-off-waivers|url-status=dead}} On February 4, 2015, Watkins suffered a torn Achilles tendon while working out, and missed the entire season as a result.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/achilles-tear-cancels-cubs-logan-watkins-season/c-108450982|title=Achilles injury cancels Watkins' season|website=MLB.com |date=February 5, 2015 }}
In 2016, Watkins played for Triple–A Iowa, hitting .261/.314/.353 with one home run and 42 RBI in 108 games. He elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2016.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/|access-date=August 2, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2016 |language=en}}
=Detroit Tigers=
On December 23, 2016, Watkins signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization.{{cite web |url=http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/213231756/tigers-sign-22-players-to-minor-league-deals/ |title=Tigers sign Minors contracts with 22 players |website=MLB.com |first=Jason |last=Beck |date=January 10, 2017 |accessdate=January 10, 2017 |archive-date=August 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803085352/http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/213231756/tigers-sign-22-players-to-minor-league-deals/ |url-status=dead }} He split the 2017 season between the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens and the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, posting a .242/.343/.300 slash line with 2 home runs and 21 RBI in 86 games between the two teams. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2017/?amphtml|access-date=2023-06-07|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 7, 2017 |language=en}}
=Wichita Wingnuts=
On March 26, 2018, Watkins signed with the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association. Watkins set the Wingnuts franchise single season record for hits with 142. In 100 games for the Wingnuts, Watkins hit .338/.403/.469 with 3 home runs and 51 RBI.
=Toros de Tijuana=
On December 13, 2018, Watkins signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League for the 2019 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.torosdetijuana.com/?p=14593|title=Toros de Tijuana se fortalece; Logan Watkins se une a la "embestida"|language=Spanish|date=December 13, 2018|accessdate=December 13, 2018}} In 69 games with Tijuana in 2019, Watkins slashed .254/.364/.393 with 3 home runs and 16 RBI.
=Olmecas de Tabasco=
On January 7, 2020, Watkins was traded to the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League in exchange for Humberto Castro. However, he did not appear in a game for the club as the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/07/mexican-league-cancels-2020-season.html|title=Mexican League Cancels 2020 Season|date=July 2020 }}
Coaching career
=Cleburne Railroaders=
On April 5, 2021, Watkins was announced as the new hitting coach for the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association of Professional Baseball.{{cite web|url=https://ilovetexasbaseball.com/news/former-major-leaguer-watkins-named-railroaders-hitting-coach|title=Former Major Leaguer Watkins Named Railroaders Hitting Coach|website=ilovetexasbaseball.com|date=April 5, 2021|accessdate=April 5, 2021}} On June 30, Watkins was named the interim manager for the club after Mike Jeffcoat announced his retirement.{{cite tweet|number=1410342427030962181|user=CRRBaseball|title=Manager Mike Jeffcoat has elected to retire. Hitting coach Logan Watkins has been named interim manager, effective… |date=30 June 2021}}
=Winnipeg Goldeyes=
On November 1, 2023, Watkins was named the manager of the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|title=Under New Management: Goldeyes Name Watkins Skipper|url=https://www.goldeyes.com/under-new-management-goldeyes-name-watkins-skipper|access-date=April 11, 2024|website=goldeyes.com|language=en}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Portal|Baseball}}
{{Baseballstats|mlb=543894|espn=30717|br=w/watkilo01|fangraphs=4875|brm=watkin001vin}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watkins, Logan}}
Category:Baseball players from Wichita, Kansas
Category:Major League Baseball second basemen
Category:American expatriate baseball players in Mexico
Category:Arizona League Cubs players
Category:Peoria Chiefs players
Category:Tennessee Smokies players
Category:Wichita Wingnuts players