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Nationals minor-league report Date published: 6/1/2007 By TODD JACOBSON BY TODD JACOBSON Since Brandon Watson last appeared in a Nationals uniform, he's been released once, designated for assignment twice and had to re-assess his career during a three-day period in April that he spent without a job. To think it was only 14 months ago that Watson opened the 2006 season as Washington's leadoff hitter and starting center fielder. "It's been a long ride," said Watson, who re-signed with the Nationals in April after brief stints with the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers. "It's definitely something that makes you grow up over the years. This last year has been really just a different kind of experience. It's been a roller-coaster ride." Watson's latest stop is Triple-A Columbus, and given a second chance with the franchise that drafted him and the team that gave him his first big league break, the 25-year-old outfielder has been rejuvenated. He extended his career-high hitting streak to 28 games with a single against the Pawtucket Red Sox yesterday. "Honestly I'm just out there having fun," he said. "It sounds kind of weird but when you think too much in baseball it makes it harder for you to play. It's one of those things where you've got to go out there and just have fun and things fall into place." The streak is the second longest active run in professional baseball behind Charleston's Mitchell Hilligoss (37) of the Single-A South Atlantic League. Watson is hitting .327 with 10 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 41 games with the Clippers. "He's swinging the bat really well," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. "Sometimes in baseball people get released and sometimes they can put it in another gear and take advantage of another opportunity." Watson's stint with the Nationals lasted only nine games last season. He struggled, hitting .179 in 28 at-bats before he was demoted to Triple-A. By July, he was picked up on waivers by the Cincinnati Reds, and this offseason he signed a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers. He was released by the Tigers days before the end of spring training. He spent three days in Florida, waiting for a call. Any team would've been fine, he said. But when Bowden phoned, Watson jumped at the chance to make up for past failures. "Of course it motivates me," he said. "Of course you don't want to leave like I did. I want to put up some better numbers, relax and have some fun." Todd Jacobson: 540/735-1974 Email: tjacobson@freelancestar.com
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