LANCASTER, PA — The Lancaster Stormers have acquired outfielder Kevin Watson Jr. from the Gastonia Ghost Peppers in a trade finalized this week, the team announced Tuesday. The deal, which involved a player to be named later, aims to boost the Stormers’ outfield depth as the team prepares for a crucial three-game home series against the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars.
Watson, 26, brings both power and speed to Lancaster’s roster. So far in the 2025 season, he has tallied 12 home runs, 44 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases while drawing 54 walks and scoring 66 runs for Gastonia. Although his current batting average stands at .217, he hit .302 with 13 homers last year and has racked up 72 stolen bases over two Atlantic League seasons.
“Watson is an outfielder, which is what we have been looking for,” said Stormers manager Ross Peeples. “The timing of this deal was right. He had a good year last year and has a very good BB/K ratio with some speed. I think he can help us.”
Stormers fans may already be familiar with Watson’s capabilities. During the opening home series at Penn Medicine Park earlier this season, Watson launched two home runs while playing for Gastonia.
Originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017, Watson spent parts of three seasons in the Arizona farm system before joining the Los Angeles Angels organization. He played primarily at Class A Inland Empire before making his way to the Atlantic League.
The move comes as the Stormers continue their 21st season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, with home games played at Penn Medicine Park in downtown Lancaster—three-time recipient of Ballpark Digest’s Best Ballpark award in MLB Partner League Baseball.
Watson is expected to be in uniform this evening when the series against Hagerstown begins.
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