SONOMA, Calif. – The Sonoma Stompers have promoted left-handed pitcher Cole Watts to the Kansas City Royals. Watts will report to Arizona where he will then be assigned to one of the Royals affiliated organizations. “We’re thrilled for Cole, and now he’s one step closer to his dream,” General Manager Brett Creamer said.

Watts, a Half Moon Bay native joined the Sonoma Stompers in the middle of the 2018 season where he had 33 strikeouts in just 21 innings of work. Previously to joining the Stompers, Watts was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 31st round of the 2017 draft. In 39 affiliated innings of work, the Skyline JC product struck out 46.

The lefty came into the 2019 season lighting up the radar-gun hitting 92-94 consistently, topping out at 96 miles per hour. "This is what Independent League baseball is all about, and we can’t wait to follow along with Cole’s journey,” Creamer said.

Through four games this season, Watts had a 1-1 record with four strikeouts in three innings pitched.