ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — They may not have shared the baseball diamond at Columbia High School, but two former Blue Devils find themselves playing together at a different facility, George M. Steinbrenner Field at spring training with the New York Yankees. Nassau native Danny Watson and East Greenbush native Kevin Smith reported to Yankees spring training this preseason looking to make their mark with the organization.

Watson, a pitcher, and Smith, a shortstop, both grew up as Yankee fans. Not only did both stand out at Columbia High School, but they also suited up for the same travel baseball organization, the South Troy Dodgers.

When asked if he stays in touch with any coaches from home, Watson says he still periodically talks with his coaches from Columbia, including Chris Dedrick and Greg Jette. Watson said, “They played a big role in my high school career, so it’s nice to still be in touch with them.”

Smith too still keeps in touch with Dedrick, as well as others from South Troy and beyond.

“I still keep in contact with almost everyone from back home,” said Smith. “Kevin Rogers at South Troy, Dedrick at Columbia, I talk to Brian Marsh a bit, Keith Glasser, a bunch of guys. Life has gotten more busy over the years, but we still keep in touch throughout the year. No matter where I’m at it’s always great to hear from the guys who impacted me growing up.”

After high school, Watson would go on to pitch for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and Smith would go on to play at the University of Maryland.

“The year before I got to Maryland they were runner-ups in the ACC and went to South Carolina and won a Regional, so they were already stacked,” said Smith. “John Szefc had an amazing club already and I was so fortunate to be able to go there and play shortstop right away. Playing with guys like Brandon Lowe and Lamonte Wade during my freshman year was huge, going to UCLA and winning a regional was probably the most fun I’ve had playing baseball up to this point. I still talk to a bunch of guys who came through Maryland and it’s been awesome seeing Szefc, Vaughn, Papio, and Swope all excelling now.”

On his time at VCU, Watson says he wouldn’t be the pitcher he is today if it weren’t for being there.

“I enjoyed my time at VCU a lot,” said Watson. “Once I got to VCU, I quickly began to develop into a pitcher, rather than someone who just throws a baseball. I learned more about who I am as a player, and who I want to be. Being at VCU prepped me to play professionally since I learned how to compete, I learned how to work harder, and I learned what I needed to do to become successful. Without VCU I would not be the pitcher that I am today.”

The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Smith in the fourth round of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft. Smith described the draft process and what it was like for him.

“Getting drafted is a crazy process, unless you’re one of the top guys and a lock to go on day one (rounds one or two) you just don’t know what is going to happen. I was just hanging out at my parent’s house in New York, with a bunch of family and it was pretty quiet. I was thankful for great agents who had walked me through scenarios and they fielded all the calls from scouts and teams that were trying to figure out what route they would go. I ended up getting a call from my agent just a couple minutes before the Blue Jays took me in the fourth round, and then we got to watch it live with the family. I just remember it being a blur for about 30 minutes. Being excited with all the people who had sacrificed so much to help me get to this point. And then about an hour after I think I was already back working with my dad up at South Troy to make sure I was ready to head down to Dunedin and get my professional career started.”

Smith made his major league debut in 2021 with the Blue Jays. He described his debut as a culmination of all his hard work and pointed out how thankful he was for so many people in their part helping him get there.

“Making your big league debut is something you can’t really put into words. For me, it was the cumulation of more than 10 years of work, with so many people who helped shape me into the player I was. I remember being in the Uber from the airport to Nationals Park in Washington D.C. trying to text and get back to everyone I could who had helped me get to that point, and just realizing how thankful I was for so many people. Your debut is just one day and maybe a couple at-bats to most people and fans, but as the player it feels like a lifetime of work that all of a sudden gets you to the spot you’ve always wanted to be. The fact that it came when the Jays were making a playoff push in ‘21 made it more fun. The Jays were a great organization that had a bunch of great young players, which made it an awesome organization to compete and develop in.” 

The following year, Smith was traded to the Oakland Athletics (A’s) with three other players in exchange for third-baseman Matt Chapman. Smith would stay with the A’s for the next two seasons until the end of his contract.

“Being traded to the A’s in 2022 was a whirlwind,” said Smith. “It was two days into a shortened spring training and my wife Taelor (Tae) and I had just settled into our spring training home with my teammate Zach Logue and his wife. We were there for one night and then we both were traded to the A’s. So we flew out that day and our wives drove all our stuff across the country for us. Wives of the year, they made it so much easier for us. Being there for two years was great, they have a bunch of great guys and good players throughout that organization. Getting to know California and be on the West Coast closer to Tae’s family was also a lot of fun.”

This offseason, Smith signed a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees. Smith broke the news himself on Instagram, posting a picture of his younger self decked out in Yankees apparel, with the caption “Heading Home for 2024.”

“This offseason in Arizona was probably one of my favorites yet,” said Smith. “Tae and I had our first baby, Kinsley, in August so it was great to spend time with both of them. 95% of my days consisted of waking up, going to workout and train, and then coming home and just hanging out with Tae and Kins. It was amazing. It was also my first off-season being a free agent, so we didn’t know where we were going for the season until a week or so into January when the Yankees called. Being from New York and being a Yankees and Jeter fan my whole life, it was a no-brainer. Playing for the Yankees has been a dream my entire life, so being able to put that jersey on is something I don’t take for granted at all. I’m very excited and super thankful for the opportunity this year.”

Following college, Watson was selected in the 15th round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft by his favorite team growing up, the New York Yankees. Watson walked me through the process, and what it felt like to be drafted by the team he grew up watching.

“I was beyond thankful for the opportunity,” said Watson. “It felt like a dream come true since I grew up a big-time Yankees fan. As soon as I saw that my name was selected, it was both relief and excitement, to know I was going to be a part of such a great organization. Prior to the draft, I had spoken to my agent about all of the teams, and we knew the Yankees would be a good fit for me. I was also in contact with Yankees scouts numerous times prior to the draft, and on draft day, my area’s Yankee scout called me to congratulate me on being selected.”

In 2023, Watson saw a lot of success pitching for the Yankees’ AA and A+ affiliates in Somerset and Hudson Valley. He pitched to a combined 1.58 ERA and struck out 82 batters in just 62.2 innings pitched. His 2023 campaign earned him a spot on the Yankees top 30 prospect list going into 2024.

“I was very excited when I found out that I had been put on the Top 30,” said Watson.” It is really cool seeing my name alongside other really good ball players. It was nice to see others believing in my abilities as a pitcher. Although it is really cool to be on the Top 30, it is not something I think of much. I know this ultimately won’t be the reason why I make it to the big leagues, so my focus and attention are spent on figuring out how I can get there.”

Part of getting there starts with Major League Spring Training. Watson said this year’s spring training has been different, as he’s looking to build off of new pitches he learned last year. Watson was also quick to credit how nice everyone he’s worked with has been, and touched on interacting with the guys on the big league roster.

“Spring Training has been much different for me than in previous years. Last year specifically, I was working on a new fastball, a new cutter, a new slider, and new mechanics. This year, I am simply building off of last year. I’m looking to make small improvements on each pitch while focusing more on my command. One thing that I love about Spring Training each year is interacting with the current and former big leaguers. Everyone is super nice and wants to help each other out, it is a really cool environment to be around.”

Watson says his goal for 2024 is to make it to the big leagues, bar none.

“My goal for the 2024 season is to make it to the big leagues. I know it is a difficult goal to reach, but I know I am more than capable of achieving it.”

Smith says his sights are set on continuing a goal he set for his younger self, playing for the New York Yankees and winning a World Series.

“I’ve probably only set 4-5 goals my entire life and they all were when I was younger. I believe in setting huge goals that seem almost unattainable and then just doing small daily tasks that get you closer to them. Going out and playing for the New York Yankees was one I set when I was a kid, so I’m just constantly working to make that one a reality. My last one would be to win a World Series, and it feels amazing to be in a locker room full of guys all hungry for the same thing.”

Smith and Watson aren’t the only former South Troy Dodgers with the Yankees, as current relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle, himself a graduate of Shaker High School, pitched for the local organization too. I asked both if they had spoken with Kahnle about their roots dating back to South Troy.

“I have talked with Tommy Kahnle. Last time we spoke, we talked about how cool it is to have him, Kevin, and me all a part of the same organization. He is a really outgoing guy, with tons of energy.”

“It’s awesome to see so many guys excelling from our area,” said Smith. “South Troy has had some amazing players come through there over the years, and it’s awesome to get to see Tommy around the clubhouse and see Danny get in.”

As mentioned earlier, both Watson and Smith grew up Yankees fans. When asked what it’s like to be a part of the organization and if any stories stand out so far, Watson mentioned how it’s been better than he could’ve expected.

“Being a part of the Yankees organization has been even better than I expected. The Yankees have been super supportive and have made me into a much better pitcher than when I was first drafted. The Yankees seem to have the answers to any problems that I may have, from mechanics to nutrition, they are super knowledgeable in creating the best versions of ourselves. Since I grew up a Yankees fan, it makes each experience much more exciting. The other day I threw a live outing with CC [Sabathia], Andy Pettite, and Ron Guidry all watching me. My younger self was very excited about that opportunity!”

Smith echoed Watson’s excitement about being a part of the Yankees organization, saying if he went back in time and told his younger self some of these experiences, he’d think he was lying.

“I feel like I’m texting my dad and my buddies from back home almost every day with another story or something that happened that 5-year-old me would think I’m lying about. Meeting Joe Torre and seeing him walk back out to the mound was pretty cool. Getting to know and learn from some of the best in the game every day is amazing as well. Hitting [batting practice] off Pettitte, talking infield and fielding with Willie Randolph, and having lunch with Bernie Williams are some things I’ve caught myself just smiling and laughing about recently. It’s inspiring to see how many people genuinely love this organization and come back to spend their time with us.”

The New York Yankees open their season on Thursday, March 28, against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Their first home game is Friday, April 5, against the Toronto Blue Jays.