Andrew David Waters Bio
Andrew David Waters is an American professional baseball outfielder who currently plays for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball. Born on December 30, 1998, Waters was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft and eventually made his major league debut in August 2022. He represents a promising young talent in professional baseball, having established himself as a versatile outfielder with both speed and power capabilities throughout his minor league career. Waters has represented the United States national team internationally and earned recognition as the Southern League Most Valuable Player during his time in the Braves organization.
Early Life and Background
Andrew David Waters grew up in Woodstock, Georgia, where he attended Etowah High School. During his senior year at Etowah, Waters established himself as one of the top high school baseball players in the state, batting an exceptional .516 with 15 home runs and 40 runs batted in. His outstanding performance helped lead Etowah to the Class 7A state championship title, showcasing his ability to perform in crucial moments. Following his exceptional senior season, Waters was recognized as the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year and the Metro Atlanta High School Player of the Year, solidifying his status as a premier amateur talent.
Waters came from a baseball family, with his brother Zach Waters also pursuing a professional baseball career. Zach Waters played college baseball at East Tennessee State University and later at the University of Georgia, where Andrew had originally committed to play. Zach Waters currently serves as the Assistant Coach of the varsity baseball team for Etowah High School, continuing the family’s connection to baseball in their home community. This family background in baseball likely contributed to Andrew’s development as a player and his eventual path to professional baseball.
Path to Professional Baseball
After his outstanding high school career at Etowah, Waters had committed to play college baseball at the University of Georgia for the Bulldogs. However, his professional dreams took priority when the Atlanta Braves selected him in the second round of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft with the 41st overall selection. The Braves signed Waters for a $1.5 million signing bonus, allowing him to forego his commitment to Georgia and begin his professional career immediately. This draft position reflected the organization’s belief in his potential as a future major league contributor.
Waters’ minor league career began in 2017 with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Braves, where he made an immediate impact by batting .347 with an on-base percentage of .448 and a slugging percentage of .571. He demonstrated his power potential with two home runs and ten runs batted in while drawing ten walks. After this strong start, he was promoted to the Danville Braves of the Rookie Advanced Appalachian League, where he finished the season and continued his development against more experienced competition.
Andrew David Waters Career
Atlanta Braves Organization (2017–2022)
Waters continued his ascent through the Braves minor league system in 2018, beginning with the Rome Braves of the Single-A South Atlantic League. He earned All-Star honors during his time with Rome and was promoted to the Florida Fire Frogs of the High-A Florida State League in August. Across 114 games between both clubs, Waters showcased his all-around game by hitting .293 with nine home runs, 39 runs batted in, and an impressive 23 stolen bases. This performance demonstrated his ability to impact games in multiple ways, combining power hitting with speed on the bases.
The 2019 season represented a breakthrough year for Waters as he advanced to Double-A and Triple-A. He began with the Mississippi Braves of the Southern League, where he was named an All-Star, before receiving a promotion to the Gwinnett Stripers of the Triple-A International League in August. Over 134 games between the two teams, Waters batted .309 with seven home runs, 52 runs batted in, and 16 stolen bases. His outstanding season earned him the Southern League Most Valuable Player award, marking him as one of the top prospects in all of minor league baseball.
Following the 2019 season, Waters was selected to represent the United States national baseball team in the 2019 WBSC Premier 12 international tournament. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Waters remained active by joining Atlanta’s 60-man player pool and training in Gwinnett during the summer. In 2021, he returned to Gwinnett and was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field. Over 103 games, he hit .240 with 11 home runs, 37 RBI, and 28 stolen bases. On November 18, 2021, the Braves added Waters to their 40-man roster, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft and signaling their plans for his eventual big league debut.
Kansas City Royals Era (2022–Present)
Waters began the 2022 season on the injured list for Triple-A Gwinnett and was activated in early May. After 49 games with Gwinnett where he batted .246 with five home runs and 16 RBI, his career took a significant turn on July 11, 2022. The Braves traded Waters along with CJ Alexander and Andrew Hoffmann to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for the 35th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. The Royals immediately optioned Waters to the Omaha Storm Chasers, their Triple-A affiliate.
With Omaha, Waters found his rhythm quickly, hitting .295 with seven home runs, 17 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in just 31 games. His strong performance earned him a promotion to the major leagues on August 22, 2022. Waters collected his first career hit on August 24, a single against Arizona Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen. On September 5, he hit his first career home run, a two-run shot against Cleveland Guardians starter Triston McKenzie. In 32 games during his rookie season, Waters batted .240 with five home runs and 18 RBI, providing a glimpse of his potential at the highest level.
The 2023 season gave Waters his first full opportunity with the Royals, as he played in 98 games. He hit .229 with a .300 on-base percentage and .378 slugging percentage, adding eight home runs, 32 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. His ability to steal bases at a strong rate continued to be a tool in his offensive arsenal. The 2024 season saw Waters spend significant time at Triple-A Omaha due to being optioned there to begin the year. He appeared in three games in mid-June and four games in July with Kansas City, batting .188 in limited action. With Omaha, he hit .290 with 13 home runs and seven stolen bases in 109 games, showing the performance level that could earn him another extended look.
Driving Style and Strengths
Throughout his career, Waters has demonstrated a balanced skill set that includes both power and speed capabilities. His ability to impact games in multiple facets has been a hallmark of his playing style, whether through extra-base hits, stolen bases, or defensive contributions in the outfield. His minor league track record shows consistent power numbers alongside strong stolen base totals, indicating a player who can contribute across various aspects of the game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Waters achieved several notable milestones early in his professional career. Being named Southern League MVP in 2019 represented a significant recognition of his talent and performance. His MLB debut and first career hit against Zac Gallen marked the beginning of his major league career. The trade from the Braves to the Royals represented another major career transition, moving from a perennial contender to a Royals organization building toward contention. His first professional cycle with Omaha in 2025 demonstrated his continued development and ability to produce at the Triple-A level.
Andrew David Waters Career Statistics
Waters has accumulated statistics across both his minor league career and major league tenure with the Kansas City Royals. His minor league career spans multiple levels of the Braves and Royals systems, with particularly strong numbers at the Triple-A level. His major league career began in 2022 and has seen him contribute as a power-speed combo player with increasing experience at the highest level.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Waters has appeared in 201 major league games with the Kansas City Royals. He has recorded a career batting average of .234 with 14 home runs, 65 runs batted in, and 21 stolen bases. His rookie season in 2022 saw him hit five home runs in just 32 games, suggesting power potential that he has looked to build upon. The 2025 season marked his most extensive major league action with 71 appearances, as he worked to establish himself as a regular contributor at the big league level.
Minor League Career Highlights
Waters’ minor league career showcased consistent performance at every level. His standout season came in 2019 with the Mississippi Braves and Gwinnett Stripers, where he hit a combined .309 with seven home runs and 52 RBI. The Southern League MVP award recognized his status as one of the top players in the minor leagues. His 2018 season with Rome and Florida Fire Frogs saw him hit .293 with nine home runs and 23 stolen bases, demonstrating the power-speed combination that defines his game. His performance with Omaha in 2022 after the trade (.295 average, seven home runs, 13 stolen bases) helped accelerate his path back to the majors.
| Competition Level | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | Runs Batted In | Stolen Bases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Baseball | 201 | .234 | 14 | 65 | 21 |
Andrew David Waters Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Waters comes from a baseball family with deep roots in the sport. His brother Zach Waters pursued a college baseball career at both East Tennessee State University and the University of Georgia, where Andrew had originally planned to play before signing professionally. Zach Waters has continued his involvement in baseball as the Assistant Coach of the varsity baseball team at Etowah High School, the same school where Andrew Waters starred during his high school career. This family connection to baseball has clearly influenced Andrew’s development as a player and his trajectory toward professional baseball.
Personal Life
Waters maintains an active presence on social media, with an Instagram account where he shares glimpses of his professional baseball life. He has maintained connections to his Georgia roots throughout his career, having grown up and attended high school in Woodstock. His journey from Georgia high school star to professional baseball player represents a continued development path that has seen him advance through multiple minor league levels and establish himself at the major league level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented an important year for Waters as he sought to establish himself as a consistent major league contributor. After beginning the season with Triple-A Omaha, Waters demonstrated strong performance at the minor league level, including hitting for the professional cycle for the first time in his career. This accomplishment highlighted his ability to contribute across all aspects of hitting, from singles to home runs. He was recognized as International League Player of the Week for the period of March 31 through April 6, indicating a strong start to the season.
Waters appeared in 71 total games with the Kansas City Royals during the 2025 regular season. He batted .243 with a .288 on-base percentage and .316 slugging percentage, adding one home run, 14 runs batted in, and five stolen bases in his limited opportunities. The 2025 season saw Waters continue to work on his offensive consistency while contributing in the outfield defensively. His time in Triple-A Omaha provided him regular at-bats and the opportunity to refine his approach before returning to the major league roster.