Young talent makes Major League Baseball dreams come true

The Holly Springs community is excited as family and friends celebrate the incredible achievement of Juaron Watts- Brown, Linda Brown’s grandson, who has been selected to play with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Watts-Brown, was the 89th overall pick in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, on Monday, July 10, as the Blue Jays selected pitcher.

“This is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to Juaron’s hard work, dedication, and unwavering passion for baseball,” said his grandmother Brown.

Watts-Brown grew up in Hanford, California, and attended Hanford High School.

At just 21, Juaron made significant strides in his baseball career. From his early days on the little league field to his standout performance in high school, he consistently demonstrated extraordinary talent and potential.

During his high school senior year, he was named the West Yosemite League Player of the Year in football, baseball, and basketball. He was committed to playing baseball at Texas Tech but suffered a shoulder injury and ultimately enrolled at Long Beach State.

At Long Beach State, he was red-shirted his freshman season to recover from surgery that repaired his torn labrum. In 2022 he was on the starting rotation for Long Beach State and pitched a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts against UC Riverside. He finished the season with a 4-4 record, a 3.68 ERA, and 111 strikeouts.

After the season, Watts- Brown transferred to Oklahoma State.

In 2023, he had a 6-5 record with a 5.03 ERA with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He struck out 124 batters in 82.1 innings pitched.

“Juaron’s tireless efforts and determination have earned him recognition from scouts and coaches from across the country,” Brown said. “The dedication and countless hours of practice have paid off, as he now has the opportunity to pursue his dreams as a professional baseball player.”

The strong support system surrounding Juaron has been astronomical in his journey. From his parents, Christy Watts, mother; Colain Brown, father and his stepmother, Quozonda; and his grandmother, Linda Brown and the late Gary Brown, Sr., teammates, friends, and community have rallied behind him, providing encouragement and inspiration every step.

“As we celebrate Juaron’s achievement, I invite the Holly Springs community to join us in congratulating him on this major milestone as he embarks on this incredible journey,” said Brown. “Give God the glory for all his accomplishments.”