Hawkins signed a minor-league contract with the Reds that includes an invitation to spring training.
Hawkins finished out the 2018 campaign with Cincinnati's High-A affiliate after being cut loose by the White Sox and subsequently spending time in the independent Atlantic League. While he struggled during his time in the minors, the 25-year-old hit .285/.342/.505 with 18 homers and 12 steals in 88 games for the Sugar Land Skeeters. Hawkins has yet to appear above Double-A, where he owns a .209/.265/.355 slash line across parts of four seasons (273 games), so look for him to serve as organizational outfield depth.
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Reds' Courtney Hawkins: Signs with Reds
Rotowire
Hawkins signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Friday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.
Hawkins was released by the White Sox in mid-April and has since been playing with the Sugar Land Skeeters in the independent Atlantic League. The 2012 first-round pick stalled out at Double-A over the last few years and started this season 3-for-25 before being released by the White Sox. The 24-year-old will likely report to Double-A Pensacola for his new organization.
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Courtney Hawkins: Released by White Sox
Rotowire
Hawkins was released by the White Sox on Wednesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.
Hawkins spent the first couple weeks of the 2018 season with Double-A Birmingham, but was hitting just .120 over 29 plate appearances at the time of his release. The 24-year-old 2012 first-round draft pick has yet to make it past the Double-A level during his seven-year career.
Hawkins was reassigned to White Sox minor league camp Friday.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a modicum of prospect hype early in his career, but the upper levels have exploited the holes in his swing, and he has stolen just one base since 2014. The fly-catcher still has time to rebound, and a rebuilding White Sox organization may continue eyeing him for a role in the next two years at the big leagues, but Hawkins, who should see his first action at Triple-A Charlotte sometime in 2017, remains a project.
White Sox's Courtney Hawkins: Returns to starting role
Rotowire
Hawkins has a .228/.271/.405 line after 79 at-bats across 21 games at Double-A Birmingham.
Hawkins recently went cold at the plate, causing his batting average to fall from .275 to .200 in a matter of four games. However, he's played just 16 games since missing a month with an oblique injury, so it could simply be a matter of needing time to regain his footing. While this will delay his potential arrival at Triple-A Charlotte, the additional time with Birmingham will help the power hitting outfielder improve his batting average and on-base percentage.
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White Sox's Courtney Hawkins: Hits grand slam in first game in a month
Rotowire
Hawkins (oblique) played in a minor league game Thursday for the first time since April 11 and went 2-for-4 with a grand slam.
Hawkins returned to the field in style Thursday with Double-A Birmingham, hitting his first home run of the season and knocking in four runs. The 22-year-old could earn himself a promotion to the Triple-A level at some point this season, but he will likely need to demonstrate some strides in the on-base department after reaching base at just a .300 clip with Birmingham a year ago.
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White Sox's Courtney Hawkins: Out with oblique strain
Rotowire
Hawkins was diagnosed with a mild oblique strain Wednesday and placed on the minor league DL, MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports.
The former top prospect has lost almost all of his shine, and is no longer worth rostering in leagues where less than 250 prospects are owned. Look for him to return sometime in May.
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White Sox's Courtney Hawkins: Assigned to minor league camp
Rotowire
The White Sox assigned Hawkins to minor league camp Wednesday, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hawkins dealt with a shoulder strain this spring, but he only went 1-for-16 when healthy. Hawkins should spend all of 2016 in the high minors.
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White Sox's Courtney Hawkins: Expected to return Thursday
Rotowire
Hawkins (shoulder) is expected to return to game action Thursday, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago reports.
Hawkins has been on the shelf since last Saturday when he strained his throwing shoulder. The 22-year-old has gone 0-for-3 in three exhibition appearances this spring and has also logged one walk and one strikeout apiece. He figures to see at least one at-bat Thursday provided that his shoulder is still ready for live action.
