Todd Brommelkamp / 1600 ESPN
Tommy Watkins first worked extensively with Byron Buxton during the 2013 Midwest League season. Little did he know
Minnesota Twins third base coach Tommy Watkins and All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton. [Photo via Facebook.com/watkinstommy]
Watkins, who coaches third base for Buxton’s Minnesota Twins squad, was chosen by the former first round draft pick to throw to him during Monday night’s Home Run Derby.
“Surreal,” Watkins told 1600 ESPN Tuesday morning during an appearance on The Todd Brommelkamp Show.
Buxton agreed to participate in the derby after succumbing to pressure from his oldest son, who said he wanted to share the experience with his father. Once Buxton agreed to take part in Monday’s derby, he quickly set about securing the services of his favorite batting practice pitcher.
“He told me he had a baseball question,” Watkins recalled. “He pulled me aside and after he asked me some question; that’s when he asked me if I’d do it.”
Watkins said the duo had never broached the subject of his throwing to Buxton in a derby prior to this season.
“Never,” Watkins said. “It was a total surprise.”
A former Minnesota farm hand, Watkins was a 38th round draft selection coming out of high school in 1998. His career culminated in a 9-game cup of coffee with the Twins in 2009, during which he managed to hit .357. After a few more seasons in the minors waiting for another phone call that never came, Watkins transitioned to coaching.
When the Cedar Rapids Kernels ditched their affiliation with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after a dismal 2012 campaign and signed on with the Twins, Watkins arrived as the team’s hitting coach. As he had done at other stops in his playing and coaching career, Watkins quickly became a fan favorite for his positive attitude and accessibility.
Buxton, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, was assigned to the Kernels at the onset of the 2013 campaign. The Georgia prep product hit .341 in 68 games for the Kernels before a mid-season promotion to High-A Fort Myers. Buxton debuted in the major leagues two seasons later and, in 2018, Watkins joined the Major League coaching staff for the first time, reuniting with Buxton on a permanent basis.
Calling Watkins “somebody that’s been with me pretty much my whole career,” Buxton told MLB.com that asking Watkins to throw to him in Monday night’s derby was “special.”
Buxton reached the semifinals of the Home Run Derby but was eliminated by Tampa’s Junior Caminero after hitting just seven home runs in the second round.
In addition to throwing BP to Buxton, Watkins said he made sure to drink in the unique surroundings. He secured pictures with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., among others.
“It was pretty crazy,” he said.
Todd Brommelkamp is the host of “The Todd Brommelkamp Show” and can be heard weekdays on 1600ESPN from 6:30 to 9 a.m.
