Jacob Watters

Jacob Watters

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 230 lb.
• School West Virginia University
• High School Bland County High School

• Born March 3, 2001 in Rocky Gap, VA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Jacob Watters was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 4th round of the 2022 amateur draft, out of West Virginia University. His final year with the Mountaineers had not gone so well, as he finished at 3-7, 6.22 in 18 games, but the A's obviously saw something they liked in him.

He began his pro career in 2022 with 3 outings between the ACL Athletics and Midland RockHounds, totaling just 4 innings, but in 2023 he spent a full year with Lansing, making 21 starts in 22 appearances. Once again, the results were mixed, as he finished at 2-9, 6.62, his main issue being control as he allowed 59 walks in 84 1/3 innings. He did manage to strike out 94 batters, meaning that his stuff was good when he could get it over the plate. In 2024, he pitched a bit better for Lansing, going 6-3, 5.04 in 17 games including 10 starts. He also made one appearance in AAA with the Las Vegas Aviators, giving up 3 runs in as many innings in a relief appearance, but earning a win. In Lansing, he struck out 56 batters in 60 2/3 innings, and did manage to keep his walks down to 28. Still, he was very much a work in progress when on December 14th that year he was one of three young players traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Ps Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez. Joining him in heading to Tampa were P Joe Boyle and minor league 1B Will Simpson, with a Competitive Balance Round A pick in the 2025 amateur draft thrown in for good measure.

Biographical Information

• West Virginia University bio