Former Cubs prospect suddenly retires less than 2 months after joining White Sox
Pitcher Chase Watkins, who spent the last five seasons in the Chicago Cubs organization before joining the Chicago White Sox in spring training, retired May 17 according to his official transactions log. Watkins, 26, made 12 appearances out of the bullpen for the Birmingham Barons, the Chicago White Sox’s Double-A affiliate this season. He went 1-0 with a 7.
11 ERA, as opposing batters hit . 300 against him. MORE: Mets trade rumors sparked by Cubs’ reported interest in two-time All-Star Watkins topped out at Triple-A twice, with one appearance for the Iowa Cubs in 2024 and another last year.
A left-handed pitcher, Watkins went 13-9 with a 3. 66 ERA in 129 minor league games (four starts) since 2021. The Cubs selected Watkins in the ninth round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
His time in the organization came to an abrupt end in March. MORE: Cubs pitcher suffered major injury playing with his kids Only four days after he was released from his minor league contract on March 23, Watkins signed a minor league deal with the White Sox and was assigned to Birmingham to begin the season. Watkins made two major league spring training appearances over his five seasons with the Cubs.
Both came in a three-day span. Watkins made a game-ending error against the San Francisco Giants on March 22, 2024. Entering the ninth inning of a 12-12 game, he walked Brett Wisely then wild pitched him to second base.