I don’t want to have any shoulder pain or anything like that, but most of all, I just want to get back on the mound and compete, and feel comfortable. It’s going to take a minute to feel comfortable again because I haven’t been on the mound for a while against a live hitter. – Mitch Watrous

SALT LAKE CITY — San Diego Padres farmhand, Riverton High product and former Ute Mitch Watrous has enjoyed seeing the success from his fellow former prep and Ute players all around the minors and even in the majors.

However, he’s frustrated he hasn’t been out there with them.

Since the Padres drafted the right-handed pitcher in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB draft, Watrous has been plagued with a shoulder injury that delayed his initial season in the organization last year and kept him entirely out of 2015.

“It was one of the hardest things I’ve gone through because six months I was away from home in Peoria, Arizona, and try to find a routine every day to stay sane,” he said of the rehabbing process. “Just not being able to play was tough. Being there every day and seeing other guys play was tough. You have ups and downs every day, so you just try to stay balanced. It was really tough.”

In all, Watrous has compiled just 3 1/3 innings in three appearances as a professional ballplayer stretching back to the day he signed on June 13, 2014. In comparison, there are multiple players from that draft to have already cracked the big leagues, including the Padres’ first-round pick who signed on the same day as Watrous.

Meanwhile, Watrous’ shoulder has been bothersome ever since signing his professional deal, which has held him back. He first noticed problems shortly after signing, but elected to not have surgery and pitched through it in those three games. When problems persisted, he went through surgery to shave down a bone spur in his shoulder and also relieve tension from the posterior capsule in that same shoulder.

The surgery, as Watrous notes, wasn’t to fix a major pitching injury like a labrum or a ligament, which is a positive, but it’s hard to adjust with a big setback to start a career in the minors.

“The toughest thing is just like — I’m always trying to progress and it feels like I’m taking steps backward,” Watrous said. “I see guys — and obviously I want them to do well — but I always think, ‘I can be there. I can be doing that,’ but overall, you just have to realize that this is where I’m at and focus on yourself and I just try to get better every day and try to get healthy and do everything I can to come back from this surgery.”

Watrous recently completed his rehab session in Peoria, and with a clean bill of health is eager to finally show the Padres what he can do at the professional level.

It’s been a long road to recovery, but the velocity is coming back and the pain is gone.

The righty will head back to Peoria on Monday to begin a stint in a fall instructional league that lasts until mid-October. There he will have an opportunity to showcase his talent and face live batters for the first time in more than a year.

“The main goal is to stay healthy,” Watrous said. “I don’t want to have any shoulder pain or anything like that, but most of all, I just want to get back on the mound and compete, and feel comfortable. It’s going to take a minute to feel comfortable again because I haven’t been on the mound for a while against a live hitter.”

Watrous will also look to improve his confidence in Arizona.

“Confidence has dropped a lot since I haven’t played,” he added. “That’s a big thing you have to have in this game.”

Since completing his rehab stint in Peoria, the Utah native returned home for a few weeks before his instructional league begins. That has included time working out on the University of Utah campus — his old stomping grounds.

There are memories left and right for the pitcher who logged in 251 2/3 innings over three seasons, as well as a 3.40 career ERA.

“I love coming back here,” he said. “I’ve only been back here for almost two weeks and it’s been the best two weeks in a long time. I just enjoy seeing everyone and the coaches, the weight training coaches, friends, family. I love this campus and I have good memories here, so it’s definitely a good visit for now.”

Though spending the year off has been difficult, it has allowed him to enjoy the success of his former Utah teammates. He watched fellow pitcher Tyler Wagner make his major league debut from his hotel in Peoria. He has seen C.J. Cron blossom into an everyday hitter in Los Angeles. He’s also kept track of those in the minors, where he hopes to get his career going next year.

He even kept tabs on how the Utes' season went back in the spring.

“I’m always going to be a die-hard Utah fan,” Watrous said. “This is where I created myself, so I follow all my buddies from pro ball: Nick Green, Tanner Banks, Tyler Wagner, C.J. Cron, Parker Morin — all those guys. All those guys are good buds and it’s good to see them do well.”

He’s found inspiration with those old teammates. Morin missed a good chunk of his season only to come back and hit .309 with 30 RBIs and 23 runs scored in 56 games with Double-A Northwest Arkansas in the Kansas City Royals organization.

“When you get injured, you really feel for other guys that are getting injured, you feel for the pain you go through not only physically, but mentally,” Watrous said. “When you see a guy get injured and he comes back from that injury, it’s really good to see. It really humbles you and makes you realize that you can do that too. I think that after seeing Parker come back from his injury, I was really happy for him and I think it’ll be the same for me.”

MLB

Christian Colon (Taylorsville H.S.), Kansas City Royals: Did not play over the week. Colon is batting .256 with four RBIs and seven runs scored in 33 games this season.

C.J. Cron (Utah), Los Angeles Angels: Six hits, four home runs, four RBIs and five runs scored in 18 at-bats over the week. Cron hit the go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth inning on Saturday that helped Los Angeles defeat Houston 3-2. He then homered twice in the Angels’ 5-3 loss on Sunday. With his four-homer surge over the week, Cron set a new career-best in home runs with 14 on the season after hitting 11 in his rookie season last year. He’s also batting .275 with 42 RBIs and 33 runs scored in 94 games this season.

Jeremy Guthrie (BYU), Kansas City Royals: Struck out two batters and walked one in 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief on Sunday as Kansas City fell to Baltimore 8-2. The righty entered the game in the seventh inning and recorded a one-pitch strikeout to end the inning. Guthrie is 8-7 with a 5.67 ERA in 23 starts and four relief appearances this season.

Triple-A

Brandon Kintzler (Dixie State), Colorado Springs (Milwaukee Brewers): One walk and two strikeouts in one shutout inning as Colorado Springs fell to New Orleans 8-7 on Monday to close the season. Kintzler, who posted a 5.21 ERA in 17 games with the Sky Sox, ended the season with four-straight scoreless appearances.

However, the Brewers designated him for assignment and he was designated outright to Triple-A on Monday, removing him from Milwaukee’s 40-man roster and ending his season.

Brady Lail (Bingham H.S.), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (New York Yankees): Did not pitch over the week, as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre was eliminated from the postseason on Friday.

Lail ended his 2015 season with a 3-2 record and 4.62 ERA in seven starts with the RailRiders. The Bingham High product started his season in advanced Single-A Tampa, went through Double-A Trenton and finished the year in Triple-A. He posted a 10-6 record and 2.91 ERA in 27 starts combined throughout the season, logging 148 1/3 innings.

Braeden Schlehuber (Viewmont H.S.), Gwinnett (Atlanta Braves): Completed the 2015 season batting .158 with nine RBIs and three runs scored in 39 games with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate. The Bountiful native hit .170 with 13 RBIs and nine runs scored in 71 games this season between Triple-A and Double-A.

Matt Spring (Dixie State), Pawtucket (Boston Red Sox): Two hits, including a solo home run and two runs scored as the PawSox defeated Buffalo 10-2 on Monday. Spring finished his 2015 season batting .191 with six home runs, 18 RBIs and 17 runs scored in 60 games with Pawtucket.

Double-A

Jaycob Brugman (BYU), Midland (Oakland Athletics): Five hits, five RBIs and five runs scored in nine at-bats as the RockHounds defeated Corpus Christi in the semifinals of the Texas League. Brugman hit two home runs, including a solo shot in Midland’s 4-1 win Saturday to clinch the series in four games. Midland will take on Northwest Arkansas in the league finals.

Taylor Cole (BYU), New Hampshire (Toronto Blue Jays): Allowed one run on five hits while striking out four in seven innings as New Hampshire defeated Trenton 8-1 on Monday. Cole ended his 2015 campaign on a high note, improving to 7-10 on the year while dipping his ERA to 4.06 in 28 starts. Cole logged in 164 innings in his first full season at the Double-A level.

Jacob Hannemann (BYU), Tennessee (Chicago Cubs): One hit in seven at-bats during double-header against Biloxi on Monday. Hannemann ended his 2015 season batting .233 with 41 RBIs and 60 runs scored in 112 games with the Smokies. He also stole 17 bases on 18 attempts.

The former BYU outfielder began the season in advanced Single-A Myrtle Beach and compiled a .244 average at the plate, six home runs, nine triples, 24 doubles, 45 RBIs and 72 runs scored and 24 stolen bases in 128 games between the two ball clubs throughout the season.

Adam Law (BYU), Tulsa (Los Angeles Dodgers): Closed the season on the disabled list with an undisclosed injury. Law hit .236 with 15 RBIs and 32 runs scored in 72 games with Tulsa during the 2015 season. The BYU alum began 2015 in advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, where he hit .394 in 17 games. Overall, he hit .273 with 23 RBIs and 47 runs scored in 89 minor league games this season.

Marcus Littlewood (Pine View H.S.), Jackson (Seattle Mariners): One hit in four at-bats as Jackson closed its 2015 season with a 6-4 win over Chattanooga on Monday. The St. George native began the season in advanced Single-A Bakersfield before playing 58 games with Jackson. He hit .231 with seven home runs, 25 RBIs and 21 runs scored after the promotion.

Adam Miller (BYU), Mobile (Arizona Diamondbacks): Completed his 2015 season with a 2-7 record and 2.88 ERA in 50 appearances throughout the season. Miller also converted seven saves in nine opportunities during the year. The BYU alum struck out 63 batters in 56 1/3 innings, compiling a robust 10.07 strikeouts per nine innings.

Parker Morin (Utah), Northwest Arkansas (Kansas City Royals): Five hits, two RBIs and two runs scored in 10 at-bats, as Northwest Arkansas swept Arkansas to advance to the Texas League championship series that begins Tuesday. Morin helped the Naturals take Game 1 of the series, ending the game with a walk-off RBI single. The walk-off hit capped a 3-for-4 night for the former Ute, including a pair of RBIs.

Tyler Wagner (Utah), Biloxi (Milwaukee Brewers): Scattered three hits and four walks in six shutout innings as Biloxi defeated Pensacola 7-5 on Saturday to sweep the Blue Wahoos in the Southern League semifinals. Wagner finished the regular season with an 11-5 record and 2.25 ERA in 25 starts, winning the Southern League ERA title.

Keenyn Walker (Judge Memorial H.S.), Birmingham (Chicago White Sox): Ended the season on the seven-day disabled list with a foot injury. Walker finished his 2015 season batting .187 with 20 RBIs and 22 runs scored in 62 games with Birmingham. Overall, he compiled a .226 batting average with 33 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 37 stolen bases in 113 games between Birmingham and advanced Single-A Winston-Salem.

Single-A

Eddy Alvarez (Salt Lake C.C.), Winston-Salem (Chicago White Sox): One hit and one run scored in 11 at-bats as Myrtle Beach swept Winston-Salem in the Carolina League semifinals. Alvarez ended the regular season with the Dash, batting .325 with three home runs, 14 RBIs and 24 runs scored in 34 games. The former Olympian hit .296 with five home runs, seven triples, 29 doubles, 53 RBIs, 88 runs scored and 53 stolen bases on 68 attempts in 123 games between Winston-Salem and Kannapolis in 2015.

Tanner Banks (Utah), Great Falls (Chicago White Sox): Completed his 2015 season with a 5-5 record and 2.71 ERA in 22 games between Kannapolis and Great Falls. Banks started the season in Kannapolis, where he posted a 4.09 ERA in eight appearances for the Intimidators. He was then sent to Great Falls, where he moved into a starting role. Banks compiled a 5-5 record with the Voyagers, posting a 2.51 ERA in 75 1/3 innings. His WHIP also lowered from 1.55 as a reliever to 1.02 as a starter.

Bubba Blau (Dixie State), Helena (Milwaukee Brewers): Allowed six runs on five hits and one walk as Helena fell to Missoula 6-0 on Monday. Blau finished his 2015 season with a 3-5 record and 6.57 ERA in 17 appearances with the Brewers.

Porter Clayton (Dixie State), Princeton (Tampa Bay Rays): Completed his first season as a professional with a 4.44 ERA in 13 appearances for the Rays. Clayton also struck out 21 batters in 25 2/3 innings.

Nick Green (Utah), Lexington (Kansas City Royals): Completed his 2015 season with a 2-4 record and 5.94 ERA in 32 appearances split between Idaho Falls, Lexington and advanced Single-A Wilmington over the season. Green ended the year with Lexington, where he went 0-2 with a 7.43 ERA in six games with the Legends.

Bret Helton (Utah), West Virginia (Pittsburgh Pirates): Allowed three runs on seven hits in four innings as West Virginia fell to Williamsport 3-1 in Game 2 of the New York-Penn League semifinal series on Friday. West Virginia won Game 3 of the series on Sunday 4-0 to advance to the championship series against Staten Island.

Kolton Mahoney (BYU), Staten Island (New York Yankees): Did not pitch over the week. Mahoney posted a 3-2 record and 2.29 ERA in 10 starts for the Yankees. The righty also struck out 50 batters in 55 innings of work. Staten Island is set to take on West Virginia in the New York-Penn League finals, which begin Monday.

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Trey Nielsen (Utah), Palm Beach (St. Louis Cardinals): Completed his 2015 season with a 9-6 record and 2.59 ERA in 25 appearances over the year. Nielsen started 18 games for the Cardinals but was moved to the bullpen as he neared 100 innings on the season. Nielsen, now the No. 22 prospect in the St. Louis’ organization, went 9-6 with a 2.86 ERA as a starter and put together an 0.68 ERA in seven relief appearances.

Makay Nelson (Maple Mountain H.S.), Greeneville (Houston Astros): Did not pitch over the week as Greeneville went on to win the Appalachian League title on Tuesday. The Spanish Fork native posted an 0-2 record and 4.45 ERA in 12 games with the Astros.

Dominique Taylor (Northridge H.S.), Wilmington (Kansas City Royals): Zero hits, one RBI and one run scored in nine at-bats over the playoffs this past week. After Wilmington breezed by Lynchburg in the semifinals, Taylor drove in a run with a groundout in the bottom of the ninth during Game 1 of the Carolina League championship series on Sunday, which allowed Wilmington to tie the game 2-2 and force extra innings. However, Myrtle Beach scored a run in the top of the 10th inning to win the game.

Mitch Watrous (Utah), Fort Wayne (San Diego Padres): Recently completed rehabilitation for a shoulder surgery that wiped out his 2015 season. Watrous will pitch in an Arizona instructional league that begins on Monday and ends in October.

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