Former Braves prospect Waters makes trip home to see number retired
Feb. 7—WOODSTOCK — Former Etowah baseball star Drew Waters returned to Eagle Peak on Tuesday to see his No. 7 jersey retired by the program.
The Kansas City Royals outfielder helped lead the Eagles to the 2017 Class AAAAAAA state championship, then was selected 41st overall by the Atlanta Braves in that summer's draft.
"When I first started at Etowah, I was a 5-foot-5, 150-pound freshman, and I didn't really know what would come of my time here," Waters said. "We won a state championship, and I feel like, from that point on, the baseball program has taken off."
Waters was named the Cherokee County Player of the Year as a senior in 2017. He hit .510 with 15 home runs and 41 RBIs before also earning the Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year.
In the 2017 draft, Waters became the highest-drafted high school player in Cherokee County history.
"I'm just so happy for Drew, the whole Waters family and our community," Etowah coach Greg Robinson said. "He represents our school and our county so well, all the way through the ranks of Team USA, the minors and, now, in the bigs. He's a class act, and he is having success. It is a joy to hang out with him and work out with him before he heads back."
Robinson, now in his 16th year at Etowah, had a lasting impact on Waters during his time in the program.
"Coach Robinson does a really good job, not only of coaching us as players, but he really teaches us how to be men," Waters said. "Whether that is in baseball, or an office job, he helps you understand how to be a man and carry yourself. That is invaluable."
Waters stayed after the ceremony to sign autographs and chat with fans, while also taking in the preseason scrimmage against Marist. He spent time pre-game with the current players and worked out with the current generation of Eagles, one year after they were the Class AAAAAAA runners-up.
After heading to Kansas City in a July trade last year, Waters made his major league debut Aug. 22 and went on to appear in 32 games, batting .240 with six doubles, five home runs and 18 RBIs.
Between watching his jersey retirement and gearing up for another major league season, Waters said he is living nothing short of a dream.
"Kansas City is now where I call home eight months out of the year," Waters said. "I would tell anybody this — playing one day in the big leagues, regardless of where it's at, is every kid's dream come true. I'm thankful for the Royals, and I'm thankful for every opportunity I get to put on that uniform."
