JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Imagine you are days away from your entire life changing.
“It’s a crazy feeling,” Trinity Christian pitcher Aaron Watson said. ”Being in this position and how fortunate I am to be in this position. It’s a life-changing decision that a lot of people don’t get to make, and I’m just grateful that I’m in the spot to make that position, and I can’t be more thankful for everyone who has been there to support me.”
As the moment approaches, Watson can hardly think of anything else.
“It’s been replaying in my head 24/7,” Watson said. ”I really can’t go to sleep at night without thinking about it, so I mean once that day gets here, it’s going to be surreal.”
Watson is the next Conqueror whose young dream of playing professional baseball is finally coming true. It only took him 18 years. Watson is a projected day-one pick during the July 13th MLB Draft.
“It’s a standard when you come here,” Watson said. ”Names like Austin Martin and JC Flowers. It’s a standard to go play big-level baseball, whether it’s college or professional. I’m just excited to keep that standard going.”
Born and raised in Jacksonville, Watson played all four years at Trinity Christian. Now a graduate, he has endless memories.
“The perfect game in the regional final, it’s kind of hard to beat that, especially against that caliber of team,” Watson said. ”Senior year going to the final four game. I would say between the regional final game and the final four game were my two favorite games and probably the best moments I’ve ever had here.”
His motto this past season was ‘we over me’. It was his mindset that led the Conquerors to the state championship game.
“Coaches, there’s nobody better, and I wouldn’t be in this position without them, and I’m so thankful for all the things that they’ve done,” Watson said. “Through the losses and the wins, the successes and failures, I wouldn’t be here without them. Teammates same thing. I wouldn’t be here without them. I’m going to miss those guys next year, but I know they’re going to get it done.”
Watson is one of the best baseball players in Trinity Christian history. He is the first player ever to become a First-Team All-American selection.
“I got home, and my mom was standing at the door holding it on the phone, showing me,” Watson said. “It was kind of like a movie, is what it felt like. It was a cool feeling. My dad was a little more laid-back with it. He was expecting it to happen, so was I, but it’s still a cool feeling to see.”
From his junior to senior year, Watson added 5 miles per hour to his fastball - a substantial gain for a high school pitcher in just one offseason.
“I think I had a different mindset,” Watson said. ”I had a chip on my shoulder from the final four game and then rankings and all that stuff. I just kind of had a chip on my shoulder, and I knew that there wasn’t anyone better in the country, so I kind of had to go out there and prove it.”
Looking back on his young playing career, Watson knew from a young age that he could be the best of the best.
“One time when me and my dad were playing catch, and it was at the front of the neighborhood,” Watson said. ”I think I was probably nine years old, and I broke his glove playing catch. That is kind of when I knew I had a stronger arm than most.”
The 2025 MLB is July 13-14.