With the flip of a switch, Hunter Watson goes from just another talented arm on the mound for the Tuttle Tigers into a dominator when the game is on the line.
“When I’m on the mound, I flip a switch. I get mad when the batter steps in the box because in my mind I know I’m better than him and I know the eight guys behind me are better than him,” said the confident freshman pitcher. “It’s one pitch at a time, execute my pitches and do my job for my team. With the game on the line my pitch would be my fastball that I have 100% confidence in.”
Tuttle coach Breck Draper trusts Watson’s decision noting the go-to-pitch velocity consistently reaches 88-91 miles per hour.
“He’s a way more mature player than his age shows,” said the Tigers skipper. “Hunter can really pitch and he’s very solid and calm when he’s behind the plate at catcher. Hunter has a ton of upside, but he is also really solid right now.”
No wonder the three things Hunter says identify him are what they are — strong, disciplined and confident, something he credits to his family’s influence.
“All of us are extremely competitive and that really helps me,” Hunter said, acknowledging the talents of his older sister, Kya, a four-year starter in softball who will play collegiately at UCO next year, along with his twin sister Audrey. “Together with dad and mom (Kit and Kacie), they’re my biggest supporters, the best role models I could ever ask for and the biggest reason why I am where I am at today.”
Watson, whose favorite player is retired major league All-Star Yadier Molina, has already verbally committed to play college baseball at the University of Oklahoma.
“When he’s not playing or watching a game in person or on TV, Hunter finds another way to study the game,” coach Draper said.
With his goals set to win the state baseball championship, Hunter knows there’s still plenty of work to be done, on and off the field.“Baseball is an amazing teacher, extremely humbling,” Hunter said with respect for the lessons learned. “You have to be disciplined as a player and in life because as soon as you slip away from your game plan you fall behind. You have to follow a process every day.”
