Watt: "I've Been Waiting for This Moment My Entire Life"

Max Watt was in the middle of a summer league game out on eastern Long Island when his friend simply texted him, "Congrats!"

Curious about what his friend meant, he asked him what he meant. When his friend replied in full context, congratulating him on being the 37th Round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox, the tall, right-handed pitcher said he almost lost control of his legs.

"I was shaking," Watt told Patch with a laugh. "I was just very fortunate my parents were at the game so I could tell them first."

Watt is the first Babylon Junior-Senior High School graduate in recent memory to be drafted by any major league sport. He was selected as the 1,103th overall pick during the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft.

"It's a really an honor, to think about all of the great athletes that have come out of Babylon," he said, noting he had goosebumps upon hearing he might be the first from his hometown to receive the distinction. "I'm very honored to be in this position I am now. It's a very cool feeling."

The freshman at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, FL said he had a shaky first year, but felt he had really grown and improved throughout the college season. Watt was a reliever in his first year in the NCAA, finishing with a 5.67 ERA in 39 2/3 innings, while striking out 30 batters.

"I had worked on a lot of stuff. The Red Sox called me the day before I left Tampa, but I didn't even think twice about it. I thought I might be scouted for next year's draft, but I guess it all makes sense now," he said.

The Babylon native will have to switch sides in his heart if he chooses to sign with Boston – just like his father, he has been a fan of the New York Yankees, the Red Sox's biggest local rival, his entire life.

"I'm just grateful for any team to give me the chance," he said. "I know the Red Sox are a great organization with a great history."

The Red Sox have yet to contact Watt to discuss contract options and his potential big league future. If he chooses to sign with Boston, the right-hander would be signing with one of the MLB's oldest and most historically rich franchises with great players such as Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Roger Clemens, Carlton Fisk and David Ortiz having passed through the organization.

"It's an honor to have my name on the board with a great franchise like the Boston Red Sox," he told Patch. "I've been waiting for this moment my entire life. This is my dream."