Tommy Watkins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tommy Watkins
Watkins with the Twins in 2025
Minnesota Twins – No. 40
Third Baseman / Coach
Born: (1980-06-18) June 18, 1980 (age 45) Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.
debut
August 10, 2007, for the Minnesota Twins
Last appearance
August 22, 2007, for the Minnesota Twins
MLB statistics
Games	9
Batting average	.357
Runs scored	2
Teams
As player Minnesota Twins (2007) As coach Minnesota Twins (2019–present)

Tommy Watkins, born on June 18, 1980, is an American baseball coach and former player. He used to play as a third baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins. Today, he is the third base coach for the Twins. Before becoming a coach for the main team, he spent almost ten years coaching in the Twins' minor league system. In 2018, he even managed the Chattanooga Lookouts, which is a Double-A team linked to the Twins.

Tommy Watkins: A Hometown Hero

Tommy Watkins was chosen by the Twins in the 1998 Major League Baseball draft. He was drafted from Riverdale High School in Fort Myers, Florida. He quickly became a favorite with fans during his two years (2002–2003) playing for the Fort Myers Miracle. This team was a high-A affiliate of the Twins.

His popularity with Miracle fans led to a fun event called the "Tommy Watkins Bobble-Butt" promotion in 2003. While playing for the Miracle, Watkins became a utility player. This means he could play many different positions on the field.

• In 2002, he played 41 games at shortstop, 33 at third base, 19 at second base, and three in the outfield.
• In 2003, he started playing first baseman (8 times). He also played all three outfield positions (38 total games). He made 28 appearances at third base, 17 at shortstop, and nine at second base.

Making It to the Major Leagues

In 2007, while playing for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, Watkins hit eight home runs. This matched his best minor-league record from 2004 with the New Britain Rock Cats. He also achieved his highest batting average (.272), 22 doubles, and 49 RBIs that year.

The Twins called Watkins up from Triple-A Rochester on August 8, 2007. The news was shared by Twins general manager Terry Ryan. Watkins' teammates were very happy for him. He had spent ten years playing in the minor leagues, all with the Twins, before finally making it to the major leagues.

Stan Cliburn, the Red Wings Manager, said that Watkins' promotion was very emotional. He said the announcement caused a big celebration in the clubhouse. Everyone loved and respected Tommy.

Watkins was the 14th player from the Red Wings to join the Minnesota Twins in 2007. He traveled from Rochester, New York, to Kansas City, Missouri, to join the Twins.

Tommy's MLB Debut

Tommy Watkins made his major league debut on August 10, 2007. He got his first major league hit on August 15, 2007, against the Seattle Mariners. He was the first player in Twins history to wear the number 61.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Watkins always had a good smile. He also said Watkins was ready to play every day. He could play anywhere, in the outfield or infield.

Watkins played in nine games. His first game was on August 10 against the Los Angeles Angels, where he was a pinch-hitter. He started the other eight games he played, mostly at third base. For two innings of one game, he moved to shortstop.

His first hit was a single off Jarrod Washburn on August 15 in Seattle. He had ten hits in 28 times at bat, and all of them were singles. He scored two runs. His first run came after a Torii Hunter grand slam. His time in the Major Leagues ended on August 22. He had to stop playing because of a torn groin muscle.

Coaching Career

Tommy Watkins as the first base coach for the Minnesota Twins during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies in 2019.

Watkins spent all of 2008 playing for Rochester. He batted .219 with one home run and 18 RBIs in 76 games. He became a free agent at the end of that season. In January 2009, he signed with the Twins again.

Watkins was batting .254 at Rochester when he decided to take a coaching job with the Twins. He helped coach the Gulf Coast League Twins, managed by Jake Mauer. He also helped the Class A Fort Myers team during home games for the rest of the season.

In 2010, he became the Batting Coach for the Midwest League's Beloit Snappers. When the team moved from Beloit Snappers to the Cedar Rapids Kernels, Tommy Watkins continued as their batting coach.

After the 2018 season, the Twins named Watkins their major league first base coach. As of 2025, Watkins is the third base coach for the Twins.