Former First-Round Pick Signs In Japan

Heading to Japan.

Courtney Hawkins has signed with the Softbank Hawks of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.

Former #MLB first-round pick (13th overall) Courtney Hawkins has signed with #NPB's Fukuoka Softbank Hawks

After four years demolishing indyball, Hawkins was invited to the Hawks fall camp and impressed them enough to make the cut. pic.twitter.com/5o8YqEavbx

— Gaijin Baseball/外国人野球 (@GaijinBaseball) December 21, 2022

Hawkins has spent the last few seasons destroying baseballs for the Lexington Legends of the independent Atlantic League, demolishing 80 home runs across 218 games over the last two seasons.

This past season, the twenty-nine-year-old slashed a fantastic .298/.399/.655, with 48 home runs, 125 RBIs, six stolen bases and 110 runs scored across 127 games played.

Hawkins was the 13th overall selection of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox. It's been a great story for him and it should be interesting to see if he continues to find success in Japan.

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports