WATKINS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE AT WCS

BY RANDY BYERS © COPYRIGHT 2011 Houston5ABaseball.com

It seems like only yesterday that a slick fielding, somewhat hotdog, young; SS was taking 100’s of fungos as an up and coming shortstop for the Alief Hastings Bears. (I can recall asking, who the heck is that?). That was a young man named Ricky Watkins who has transformed his passion and knowledge of the game into teaching / coaching.

Watkins, a 2003 graduate of B.F. Terry High School in Rosenberg, Texas; attended Permian Basin and finished his Bachelors schooling at the University of Houston Victoria where he received a Psychology degree in 2008. He then returned to the game he so loves when he accepted the Assistant Coach Job at Westbury Christian where he is now beginning his second year as Head Coach.

Chasing a Masters Degree in Athletic Administration, Watkins has had to become somewhat of an expert in time management given his duties at WCS. But Watkins’ ambitions hasn’t slowed the progression and monumental improvement of a baseball program that was somewhat waning upon his arrival. If anything, he has transformed a mediocre program into what has the makings of a powerhouse TAPPS Program in 2011.

With the incredible ability to relate to his students like very few young coaches I’ve witnessed, Watkins has sold the program to his underlings and they’ve bought into his reality based philosophy propelling the Baseball Program to heights unseen since the school’s inception in 1975.

Under Watkins’ tutelage milestones have been abound and all accumulated in the 2010 season where WCS beat 2^nd Baptist for the first time in school history, made it past the first round of the play-offs for the first time, and the 2011 class will send at least 6 players under scholarship to play college baseball. Prior to the 2011 class, WCS had never experienced a player, or players, receiving baseball scholarships.

A 20-10 record and play-off appearance in 2010 finds Watkins’ Wildcats on the cusp of something huge in 2011 with the only major question mark being that of depth. That issue aside, WCS has some of the best pure baseball athletes in the entire Houston area at the prep level.

Heading up that list of incredible talent is OF, Dillon Thomas who Watkins says “He’s the best pure baseball athlete I’ve ever coached” Thomas has taken a serious step in possibly becoming a premier player at the next level. An unmatched work ethic, team first attitude, and fearless approach in the field has seen Thomas’ original scholarship with the Aggies increase in value over the summer when the Aggies brass bumped it 25% more.

Thomas had the opportunity to sign with Rice but chose Texas A&M saying “I like the tradition they have up there and the coaches and guys on the team” And when asked what will keep him from the senior year letdown syndrome Thomas said “My respect for the game. I go out there and work harder than anyone else. I hit the weights, or I’m running, or I’m on the field getting better and helping my team get better”.

Dillon is a thick, solid, 6’ – 195LB, pure baseball athlete who swings it with authority while possessing + OF skills. His steady development is certainly garnering a lot of attention from the MLB Scouts.

WCS appears to have the pitching depth issue settled in 2011 with the addition of Michael Bonner, a big 6’4” – 205LB RHP, who combined with standout Cody Glenn, gives Watkins his most powerful 1-2 punch ever seen at WCS. Throw in the strong arm of SS, Mike Davis (who is a mid to high 80’s guy), and RHP, Caulin Cragle, (who is also a mid to high 80’s guy), and the Wildcats have to like their chances.

Dillons Thomas (A&M), Cody Glenn (LSU), Keegan Sanford (UH), Chris Lopez (Texarkana), Mike Davis (Texarkana), and Bonner who will sign soon, makes for a dream class that few coaches see once in a lifetime.

The most exciting part of the Wildcats game in 2011 will likely be their powerful offense. These guys can flat out swing it with Dillon Thomas leading the way. Keegan Sanford possesses tremendous line drive power producing regular ropes to the gap. Chris Lopez, Mike Davis, Caulin Cragle & Chase Kimble, also show the ability to wear out the gaps and garner their fair share of round trippers this season. Perhaps most impressive I witnessed today were Caulin Cragle, & Chase Kimble. Cragle has burst onto the seen at the plate producing textbook mechanics and a powerful swing. The ball just jumps off his bat. Kimble has a brilliant line drive swing that produces serious ropes to the LC gap that will (combined with his speed) certainly see him end up with and abundance of triples.

It truly is a luxury to be blessed with such talent on one team but the bottom line is; these are teenagers, 16, 17, & 18, year olds. You still have to convince them that the rigorous work will pay off. You have to instill the team first mentality, and most of all, trust. Watkins has been able to convey those qualities like few others I’ve witnessed at his age and his Wildcats have bought into the system entirely.